Are you having a hard time crafting grant proposals for your nonprofit cause? Well, writing a winning grant isn’t that easy. Yet, it makes all the difference between getting the funding that you need and your grant being rejected. If you are to raise your chances of securing the funding for your foundation, start by learning how to write compelling grant proposals.
Ideally, the funders you are writing to need to be convinced why you need the funding, for example for your new education business plan, what difference the funding will make, and what is in it for the funder. Your work is to present this information clearly and persuasively to capture the funder’s mind and emotions. Here are some guidelines to help you make your grant proposal writing to the next level.
1. Write Tailored Proposals
As said earlier, funders need to know how your cause will help them fulfill their mission. It is your work to demonstrate to them in writing how your mission aligns with their interests. In this case, you need to treat each funder differently. Take your time to study the philanthropic missions of each funder that you are targeting. This way, you can clearly understand how funding can help them fulfill their goals. Ensure that you articulate this in the cover letter, introduction, and conclusion of your writing.
In addition, find out if the funder has unique instructions when it comes to granting requests. Ensuring that you follow the instructions in the letter reduces the chances of your grant being rejected.
2. Be Clear
Just as it is in other forms of writing, being clear in what you are communicating is critical if the people that you are targeting are to understand what you are saying. Use simple words and sentences without unhelpful jargon and colloquial words. Make paragraphs shorter to avoid complex blocks that are hard to comprehend. Try your best to use an active voice in your writing. Additionally, use headings, subheadings, bullet points, and lists to organize your writing for better readability.
In addition, present your ideas in a proper sequence. You want the reader to create a logical understanding of your arguments gradually. Be sure to develop transitions that link ideas, paragraphs and sections. Having the reader jump abruptly from one section to another can only make your proposal hard to follow.
3. Present A Compelling Request And Be Persuasive
When applying for a grant, the better you can persuade the funders that you deserve the funding, the more likely they are to consider your request. Make sure that your writing isn’t only informing the reader, but it is inspiring and motivating. Remember that your proposal is the only one among many that the funder has received. Your proposal has to be compelling if it is to cut through the noise and be heard.
You can do this by showcasing your credibility and competence. You can include your credentials as well as those of your staff. You should also back up your arguments with facts, data, and testimonials that are well supported. In addition, let your writing appeal to the emotions of the readers. For instance, you can use real-life examples to show the impact that your cause is having on the community. Make it memorable such that it stays top of the mind of the reader even long after he or she has read it.
4. Search For Samples Online
Writing a grant proposal can be an uphill task especially if you are doing it for the first time. Ideally, different funders ask for different formats when they call for proposals. It is important to pay attention to the format that is required. Do a quick search on how to write a proposal in that format. If you have good writing skills, a sample from the internet can be a good guide for you.
5. Hire An Expert
As said earlier, it goes a long way to have facts and data that are backed up by evidence. While you may be good at writing, you may lack the right skills to present evidence-based arguments. In such cases, it is good to ask an expert to do that for you. For instance, if you need clinical data analysis or clinical evidence for your request, it would benefit you to work with a clinical evaluation report writer. You can visit a CER writer website to find one that suits your needs.
Conclusion
How you write your grant proposal greatly determines if you are going to get the funds for your cause. That is why it is important to write them well. Ensure that you tailor each proposal to each funder, write clearly and be persuasive and compelling. It is also okay to ask for help. You can search for samples that you can follow or ask an expert to help you with the writing in case you get stuck.