Grant writing and nonprofit organizations

Grant writing is a complex task, as it involves a large investment of time and research. Though anyone can technically write and submit one, a grant is more likely to be successful when crafted with commitment, a willingness to communicate, and strong writing skills. Many nonprofits prefer to have experienced companies write their grants to better improve their chances of success.

Write clear and precise paragraphs

Grant writing should be clear and precise, as you need people to easily understand your organization, proposal, and what you are requesting funding for. Since grants are generally ten pages or less, the ability to write short, concise sentences is a great asset.

Research your topic in depth

Unlike most other proposals, a grant is when you should give as much detail as possible about your organization and its programs that are relevant to your funding request. It is also important to stress why your organization is timely with statistics and other research that shows how programs similar to yours are effective. It is also important to show why your particular program is worth funding despite there already being similar ones.

Government Grants VS Foundation Grants

Though grants tend to have similar sections, requirements, and forms, they are not one-size-fits-all. They most notably differ between government grants and foundation grants.

Government grants:

• Generally have more money to reward, but
• Have more competition, particularly at the federal level
• Have consistent requests for grant applications concerning particular areas
• Take about six months to a year to hear back from

Foundation grants:

• Generally have less money to reward, but
• Have less competition, and are easier to form lasting relationships with
• Have more specific areas of interest and guidelines
• Take about three to six months to hear back from

Both grants have their pros and cons, but both can be incredibly rewarding if the appropriate amount of time and effort is put into the writing process. Remember, the least successful grant is the one that is never submitted.

Why grants help

Grants are specifically given out to nonprofit organizations to help them start or maintain their facilities or programs. This allows organizations to continue providing assistance and to expand their programs and outreach.

A nonprofit requests a relatively large sum for one or two specific programs, and they are then expected to spend received funds for the reason they requested them. Companies often request regular financial updates and progress reports to ensure their money is being spent effectively. Don't try and paint a rosy picture when a program is failing; companies don't expect everything to go perfectly, and would much rather work with an honest organization. As long as the money isn't being spent poorly (there's a big difference between "the secretary bought themselves a pool" and "the program isn't as effective as we expected it to be"), companies tend to be understanding, and may even offer advice to help increase your program's success.

For more information regarding Grant Writing, please visit our Fundraising ideas or Contact Us at 407-857-9002.

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