Getting a grant is a huge win for any organization, but it isn’t easy. Competition is tough, and the rules are strict. To succeed, you can’t just rely on luck; you’ll need a solid plan that covers project design, research, and writing. That means you’ll need to plan your project, find the right funding match, and write a solid application that provides all the information required by the grantmaker.
Planning should be your first step. Before you even look for money, you need a well-defined project. Grantmakers want to fund ideas that are clear, realistic, achievable, and built to last; they want to see clear goals, metrics, and deliverables. You must show exactly what you plan to do and how you will measure your success. You need to develop a realistic budget with a detailed list of how you’ll spend the grant, from supplies and equipment to paying personnel. You must also think long-term – you should talk about the post-grant future; don’t just plan for the grant period. Funders want to see that your project can survive after their money runs out. They see themselves as “investors,” not permanent bank accounts.
Once your plan is developed, research who might fund your project. Sending the same application to everyone is a waste of time. Each grantmaker, and each of the programs they find, is unique. You need to do your homework to find a funder whose goals match yours. Government agencies often focus on funding things like large public projects, scientific research, and social services. Private foundations provide funding for specific causes like the environment, art, or health, often with a local nexus. Corporate philanthropic arms look toward community projects that align with their brand or business.
There are several things to look for first in your research into funding. You should look for funders that give money for projects in your geographic area – your specific city or state. You also want to look at funders that fund your organization’s structure (e.g., nonprofit vs. for profit), mission, and the population you serve. Also look at who the grantmaker funded in the past. That information is often publicly available, and will tell you what the funder cares about and how much money they usually give.
After identifying potential funders (ideally more than one), you’ll write an application tailored to each funder. Grant writing is more like technical writing than creative writing, but it includes aspects of both. You should tell a compelling story, but support it with hard data and goals. Think of it as a professional business plan for your project. Generally, each grant application will include several primary sections, but always double-check the grantmaker’s requirements – they will often require other information in or attached to the application.
At the very least, most grantmakers will require applications that include a narrative, budget, timeline, personnel information, and deliverables. The project narrative should provide a detailed explanation of who you are helping and how. The budget developed during your project planning will show what will be paid for by the grant. The timeline is a clear schedule showing when each part of the project will be finished. Personnel information provides evidence that your staff has the skills and experience to get the job done.
Because grant applications can be complex, many organizations hire professional writers to double-check their work and catch mistakes, or to write the grant application entirely.
The world of grants is constantly changing, but the basics of success stay the same. It takes a lot of effort and attention to detail, but following these steps significantly improves your chances of getting funded. Contact Blue Sky Consulting to learn how we can help you navigate the process of researching and applying for grants.