From "The Only Grant-Writing Book You'll Ever Need", Ellen Karsh and Arlen Sue Fox provide a solid list of not ten, but 50 tips for improving your chances of winning a grant!! Take note, these are great tips that we often forget in the rush to complete a grant application on time. More details are found in "The Only Grant-Writing Book You'll Ever Need" add this book to your library today!
- Take stock of your own organization. Know what your organization can manage when it comes to grants and grant size.
- Incorporate as a tax-exempt organization.
- If you're not a 501 (c)(3), link up now!
- Find the Foundation Center Library
- Get online. Have a website, publish your annual report and financials, and tell people who you are!
- Find the right funding opportunity. Don't submit something that isn't a good fit. It's a waste of your time and the funder's.
- Read the guidelines.
- Do your homework. Study up on the foundation through their 990s, guidelines, past giving, etc.
- Read the instructions. Don't skim or give half-answers to questions.
- Get organized! Have documents ready to submit in a file system that works best for your organization.
- Give yourself time to prepare.
- Bring partners into the project development as early as possible.
- Speak with the program officer.
- Call for technical assistance during preparation of government proposal. Ask for help!
- Don't use acronyms!
- Watch your language. Be sensitive to other community groups, cultures, individuals or organizations.
- Use the grantmaker's language. Incorporate their language from guidelines or website when it fits.
- Repeat yourself when you have to. Don't go overboard, but emphasize your important points.
- Give proposal reviewers a break! Don't write pages and pages of narrative. Make it interesting and include charts, graphs and quotes.
- Create a checklist. This is important for attachments, budgets, financials, etc. that may come from several different people.
- Be sure each section of the proposal is consistent with the others.
- Use the application topics as headings in your proposal. This will make it easier to show the reader you are addressing their issues.
- When designing your program objectives, be realistic.
- Know how you will recognize success. Explain how you will know you reached your goals.
- Read the instructions!
- Get consulting for the evaluation section of the proposal. Involve them early to get feedback.
- Make sure your budget is reasonable.
- Computer your budget figures carefully.
- Think about sustainability.
- Include a timeline in your proposal.
- Write your abstract or executive summary two days before you submit the proposal—no sooner, no later. By then you'll understand exactly what you are submitting.
- Don't stuff the appendix. Be thoughtful on attachments. Don't send more than they ask for.
- For a gov't. proposal, include a letter from your elected official. For a foundation proposal, don't.
- When in doubt, ask the grantmaker questions before submitting.
- Think about the final report. Can this be measured and implemented successfully.
- Use spell-check and colleagues for proofreading help.
- Use your own reviewers. Ask different people for help during different phases of the process.
- Save your most trusted, courageous "reviewer" to read the final draft.
- Get involved with advocacy groups.
- Get on mailing lists. Make sure you know about available funding.
- Clip magazine and newspaper articles.
- Get to know your elected officials.
- Don't ask gov't. or foundation program officers to change guidelines for you. (No comment on this one…!?!?)
- Do discuss unmet needs and potential new funding directions.
- If you don't get funded, go back to the proposal. If there are issues, ask to discuss it with the funder.
- If you get turned down for funding, find out why and how you can do better next time. Politely.
- Wait until next year.
- Keep the funders informed.
- Get on the funders' radar.
- Read the instructions.
