The Do’s and Don’ts of Grant Writing for Nonprofits
Grant writing isn’t rocket science.
I’ve echoed this phrase more times than I can count in the past 15 years to the long list of stellar nonprofit organizations I’ve had the privilege of serving.
And yet, while grant writing for nonprofits doesn’t require an aerospace degree, successfully making the case for why an organization needs funding to best serve the world isn’t a task to take lightly.
The True Role of a Nonprofit Grant Writer
Grant writing is far more involved than simply filling out an application and crossing your fingers for an acceptance letter. As grant writers, we’re tasked with crafting proposals and grant applications that seek funding from donors, ranging from foundations, corporations, or even other nonprofits.
And while a mastery of the nuts and bolts of grant writing is critical, the true role of a grant writer is to pour an organization’s value into a proposal through words, creating a vision of a brighter future that those grant funds will bring to life.
Doing so requires a grant writer to possess three qualities: solid grant writing experience, a genuine understanding of the nonprofit sector, and an ability to communicate an organization’s value to its community so clearly, that the funders eagerly want to write that check.
‘Do This, Not That ” When Writing a Nonprofit Grant
So, what do you do when sitting down to write a grant proposal? And - just as important - what should you NOT do?
I’ve compiled a list of Do’s and Don’ts to help you navigate your grant writing journey. By following these tips, you’ll fast-track your ability to draft a meaningful proposal.
DO Your Exploration.
The lead-up to writing is half the work. Take time to properly research the funding opportunity, past grants, guidelines, and deadlines to prepare your proposal.
DO Develop a Relationship with Potential Funders.
Introduce yourself to the funder and discuss your programs with them. This will create an atmosphere of clarity between the two of you and lead to a stronger relationship now and in the future.
DON’T Write About the Entire Universe.
Your grant application must be persuasive yet concise. Pay attention to the guidelines. Most funders will state what they want to know, how many pages they want, and what attachments to include. A letter of support or annual report is often a good idea, but your writing should be able to stand alone and be the spark for their support.
DON’T Write About Yourself; Write About Your Community.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of writing a grant that’s focused on your organization and what you need to move toward your goal. However, the best and most successful grant applications focus on the community that the grant will ultimately serve.
DO Take Time to Develop a Precise Budget.
Your budget should include real, accurate numbers. This is not the time for estimates. Budget for all expenses associated with the program that the grant will support.
DON’T Pigeonhole Your Organization’s Field of Interest.
The donors you target may seem obvious. For instance, if you’re raising funds for a theater, you probably want to target donors who support the arts. It’s also important, however, to broaden your field of interest and look for a wider pool of donors. In this example, perhaps donors looking to support children, education, or mental health in connection to the fine arts are viable targets. Broadening your field of interest can lead to new funding opportunities.
DO Consider Hiring a Professional to Read Your Proposal.
Having a grant writing expert read your proposal before you submit it can pay off big time! It’s common for an internal stakeholder writing a grant to miss gaps that outsiders would notice quickly. And, grant writers and editors can also ensure you haven’t left out important details that funders will want to see when they read your proposal.
DO Follow Up with the Funders.
The grant writing process doesn’t end when you hit the ‘submit’ button. Plan to follow up with the funders between 30-90 days after applying. Whether your proposal was accepted or denied, the constructive feedback you’ll receive from following up will strengthen future applications. And you’ll see funders begin to gravitate towards your programming.
DON’T Give Up if Your Grant Proposal Isn’t Accepted.
Grants are competitive. If yours is denied, keep your program moving forward by identifying new grant opportunities and the right partners to help you get the funds you and your community need.
Join Me for a Grant Writing Techniques Workshop on February 27th
I hope you’ll join me and Beam Consulting on February 27th from 9:00-10:30 am PST | 12:00-1:30 EST for a Grant Writing Techniques workshop. I’ll share more insights as we take an in-depth look at grant writing for nonprofits, including the Who, What, Why, and How of writing a nonprofit grant proposal.
About The Author
Katie Schock is a dual-disciplined grants and development professional with over 15 years of expertise serving local foundations and a variety of not-for-profit organizations ranging from human services to intellectual disabilities to the arts. She also serves as a voting Board Member of two Foundations and is the Executive Director of one of the top Family Foundations in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.