In last week’s podcast, we talked about a process for creating award-winning grant applications.

I shared how this is going to immediately help you simplify grant lingo, so you feel less overwhelmed in Episode 140: Grant Language Made Easy.

So let’s get into the meat and potatoes of today’s video starting with these 5 Hacks to Write a Grant Proposal.

Okay, so when starting to write a grant application the first thing you need to do is:

#1) Get the Funding Opportunity Announcement or Request for Proposal

I never start with a blank page because I copy and paste what it is in the FOA for the criteria directly into my Word document or Google doc.

#2) Research the Needs

To create a compelling case for a grant application, you need to provide statistics and facts. A flowery statement about how awful the situation might get some tears, but it will not get grants won.

#3) Articulate the Goals & Narrow Your Objectives

The goal or goals in a grant is the overarching outcome. This needs to be clear for both you and the funding source. If you don’t have a goal then it will be confusing for both of you.

What is it you want to accomplish? What other community goals can you tie this into?

It might be: “To create safe homes for survivors of human trafficking in our region.”

This is important as it is the big picture.

The objectives are then what you can do to reach your goal. These objectives also need to be SMART, which stands for:
• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Timebound

For example, an objective to reach your goal could be, “By the end of quarter one, to lease a 4-plex apartment building that will provide housing for 8 survivors of human trafficking.”

What other objectives do you think would be needed to reach your broad goal: “To create safe homes for survivors of human trafficking in our region?”

What about hiring services workers, buying housing consumables, linking to food pantries for food, workforce training, education services, etc.

#4) About Your Organization

You also want to include why the funding source should give you money. Include your board of directors or experience of the key employees to carry out the services of the project.

You can also include any experience the nonprofit has of winning grants or securing donations. This shows that you have credibility in managing funds.

#5) the Budget

Of course, you also must provide a request for the actual money via a budget. It is not enough to say you need $500,000. You need to show how that money is broken down.

I encourage you to include a spreadsheet (even if you copy and paste it into your Word doc).

I encourage grant writers to use the main categories of the federal government to include the following:
• Personnel
• Fringe Benefits
• Travel
• Contracts/Consulting
• Equipment
• Supplies
• Other
• Indirect

I know that is a lot of information in a very condensed time, so if you want to delve deeper into this and get a free downloadable, visit https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-writing-webinar/ to sign up for Holly’ Free Live Training: 3 Proven Steps to 10x Your Grant Writing Skills.

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If you have any questions, feel free to email
holly@grantwritingandfunding.com

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Thanks for listening!
Holly Rustick
Expert Grant Writer & Bestselling Author
https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/
✨✨ Visit www.grantwritingandfunding.com to get the proven G.R.A.N.T.S. formula to write winning grants ✨✨