Tips to Make Your Grant Proposal More Competitive
Securing grant funding can be extremely competitive with numerous applicants vying for limited resources. The competition has become more fierce over the past few years with many foundations pausing or limiting their grantmaking post-pandemic. Local and national funders have also realigned funding priorities by adding new areas of interest or suspending ones that were around for decades that they feel no longer serve the needs of their communities and constituents. According to Candid.com many nonprofits need unrestricted or general operating support to meet increasing expenses in a post-COVID landscape – now, a small percentage of funders are responding by adjusting guidelines to be more lenient with project-based funding.
Ensure that your grant application stands out by crafting a compelling grant proposal with these tips:
Thorough Research: Before drafting your proposal, invest time in researching the grant funder's priorities, objectives, and previous funding patterns. Tailoring your proposal to align with the funder's mission demonstrates your understanding and enhances its competitiveness.
Strong Needs Statement: Clearly articulate the problem or need your project addresses, providing evidence to support its significance and urgency. Use both quantitative and qualitative information to speak to your community’s needs and how your project responds to the need.
Innovative Approach: Highlight the uniqueness of your project by showcasing innovative strategies, methodologies, or solutions. Demonstrate how your approach sets your project apart from others and offers novel insights or outcomes.
Measurable Objectives and Outcomes: Define clear, measurable objectives and outcomes that allow reviewers to assess the impact of your project. Provide concrete metrics and benchmarks to speak to the credibility of your proposal.
Justify the Expenses: Provide a detailed and realistic budget, accompanied by a thorough justification of expenses. Clearly explain how funds will be allocated and how they align with the goals and activities outlined in your proposal. Sometimes it helps to formulate the budget before crafting the narrative - a well-thought out budget speaks to your needs.
Partnerships and Collaborations: Highlight any partnerships or collaborations that strengthen your project's capacity, expertise, or reach. Demonstrating collaborative efforts can enhance the feasibility and may bolster areas of weak applications or organizational readiness.
Proofread and Revise: Before submitting your proposal, meticulously proofread and revise it to eliminate errors, improve clarity, and ensure coherence. A polished and professional proposal reflects positively on your attention to detail and commitment to excellence.
Strong supplemental documents: Don’t wait until the last minute to begin working on supplemental documents, such as letters of support, proof of planning, vendor quotes, or resolutions. Preparing these in a timely manner and by following exact instructions laid out in the call for applications will allow you to avoid sloppy last-minute mistakes.
Contact us today to learn more about services we offer to assist with application organization, submission, and to improve application competitiveness!