4 Grant Proposal Must-Haves (And Additional Tips)

Grants are an important tool that nonprofits use to meet their missions. They allow nonprofits to provide help and resources for communities. Grants are a common way for nonprofit organizations to fund their programs as the money doesn’t need to be paid back.

Grant applications can be very competitive as many grantmakers have limited funds available to award each year. So, it is essential that you follow directions and thoroughly communicate your plans for the funding. Grant proposals should be very clear and direct so that the funder can have a clear image of:

• Why your organization is in need of the funds

• How you plan on using the funds

There are several important ways to clearly demonstrate the need for grant money. We share four must-haves and other tips below.

1. Transparent Organizational Mission and Vision

The mission and vision statements are one of the most important elements of a nonprofit organization, which means it's just as important for a grant application. Inspiring statements will help nonprofits stand out from others. Make sure that the mission is easy to understand and helps explain the organization's impact.

2. Thorough Organizational Budget

An organizational budget helps refine and align goals. It helps individuals in the organization, as well as the grant committee, have a clear picture of how the funds will be used during a specific time period.

It’s essential you provide a high-quality organizational budget in your grant application. An effective budget helps to paint the picture of your organization’s finances and demonstrates to the funder that their investment is sustainable. It also helps nonprofit organizations prepare an accurate grant report when the time comes to report back to the funder.

3. Clear Goals

When it comes to grant proposals, your goals should be a statement of what you wish to accomplish. Every grant application is different but all of them are going to want to know what you plan to do with the money you receive. Your goals should clearly communicate the impact or change you plan to make with the funding you receive. The S.M.A.R.T. method of writing your goals is always a good idea: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. It’s important that your goals in the grant proposal are clearly connected to your need statement.

4. Defined Project Implementation Plan

Grantmakers should clearly understand what the nonprofit organization intends to do, how they plan to do it, and when they aim to complete it. All of those things should be illustrated in the project implementation plan. This is where you explain what action steps you will take to achieve your goals. A clearly defined implementation plan shows potential funders that you have thought through the request you are making.

Interested in more help?

Check out these Tips For Effective Grant Writing

Having those four items thoughtfully in your grant proposal will help you stand out from others. However, our insights don’t end here! Find a few additional grant proposal tips below.

Additional Grant Proposal Tips

1. Start Early

Depending on your budget year, you should spend time planning out what grants you want to apply for and when. Look at the funder's website or contact them for deadlines. It’s important that your nonprofit fits into the areas that they fund.

2. Work Offline

Grant application content can be reused. Save all of your grant application responses in a document separate from the funder's online or paper application for easier access later.

3. Reach Out to Funder

Whether you're a new applicant or a returning applicant, touching base with your funders is a great idea. In a perfect world, you have relationships with your funders where you're in regular contact throughout the year. However, this sort of communication doesn’t happen with every funder due to staffing or other priorities.

4. Follow Directions

Following the directions on your application makes a good impression on the grant committee and makes their time efficient during the review process. If you want to double-check your work, have someone else review it.

Are you looking for more help with grant writing? Nonprofit Support Network compiled even more tips! Download Tips For Effective Grant Writing and a document to help you with your Grant Strategy Plan.