Tips on how to write out a grant proposal and grant applications for your upcoming fundraiser.
An essential part of fundraising is writing grant proposals and grant
applications. An effectively written grant application can result in
large sums of money for your fundraising group. Grant applications can
be a long and tiresome journey, but in the end it will be worth it for
your group! In the following article, we are going to help you
understand grants and what they entail.
Grant Applications Broken Down
Most grant applications will include some or more of the following components:
Letters of Reference – letters from those who can testify to your experience and good character.
Formal Proposal – a detailed explanation of what the grant money will be used for.
A Business Plan – detailing the finer points of your financial needs.
A List of Resources – detail the resources you have, and the resources you need.
Complete list of Group Members - including both workers and volunteers.
Goals and Plans – detail the short and long term goals of your group.
The grant application will list all the material and documents needed
for submission. It is vitally important that you follow all the
directions exactly as they are stated when filling out the grant
application. One mistake could make the difference between getting the
grant and getting turned down. Many grant providers reject applications
that didn’t take the time to follow the directions when submitting
their application. Prior to submitting your grant application have
someone in the group proof read it and make sure that all the
information is correct and in order. After staring at the same document
for days on end, it becomes difficult to notice any mistakes.
Your grant application should stress the importance of your cause and
the necessity of the grant. How many people are you expecting to be
able to help? How will this project benefit them? The more compelling
your application is, the more likely you are to receive the grant
money. Most importantly, grant providers want to make sure the money is
going to be used wisely and appropriately. To help your cause, make
sure you describe your goals and focus in clear detail.
Lastly, take time and fill out your application with precision. Don’t
rush through it, or you are bound to make some mistakes. Give yourself
enough time to provide all of the financial documents that are
requested, and be sure to have someone proofread it prior to
submitting! A well-written application will stand out above the rest!
