Obtaining financial support through grant proposals can be a demanding yet fulfilling endeavor. With the correct strategy, organizations can distinguish themselves and increase their likelihood of acquiring helpful grants. Here are five guidelines from the Lerner & Rowe Gives Back team to assist you in creating an outstanding grant application.
1. Learn the grantor’s requirements. Studying the grantor’s mission and objectives before beginning the application is crucial. You want to make sure your project or program aligns with these requirements before spending time filling it out. For our grant process at Lerner & Rowe Gives Back, we value programs that directly align with our mission to create change in the lives of those in need by serving and contributing to the community. Grantors love to see projects and organizations that align with their values.
2. Maintain clarity. Grant committee members spend their time sifting through hundreds, if not thousands, of proposals. It’s important that the grant applications are direct, succinct and clear so those evaluating the proposals don’t need to spend time re-reading and interpreting. Avoid technical jargon and ensure your proposal is clear.
3. Demonstrate quantifiable impact. Grantors are most interested in knowing that their funds will make a quantifiable impact. Clearly explain the effect your project will have, providing data and statistics where relevant to substantiate your application. For instance, if you are a nonprofit that will utilize the grant money to assist children with learning difficulties, demonstrate why that is beneficial to the community.
4. Create a well-structured budget. A thought-out budget indicates that you’ve contemplated your project thoroughly and understand the financial depth of what it takes to achieve your objectives. Be pragmatic about your financial requirements. Including a detailed breakdown of allocation of funds will help grantors know precisely where their money will be spent. This provides a clearer end result for the grant.
5. Check for errors. Grant proposals are similar to résumés, cover letters and job applications in that too many obvious errors indicates to the grantors that you aren’t very serious. A well-composed, error-free proposal exudes professionalism. Review your application several times and consider having another person look it over for grammatical errors.
Jordan Moreno is a community relations and marketing professional in Phoenix. With a background in nonprofit development and media, she combines her prior work experience with her passion for lifting the community as director of Charitable Giving for Lerner & Rowe Injury Attorneys, spearheading Lerner & Rowe Gives Back initiatives.
