Free money. How to Write a Winning Grant Application

There is free money for your not for profit organisation or community group, but you need to know how to ask for it. Grants are generally given to not for profit organisations for programs, projects and/or services that would benefit the community or the general public. Whether you are seeking private or government funding, your grant application needs to clearly state your objectives, set forth a plan and provide a realistic budget.

The following are eight tips on how to write a winning grant application.

1. Do not Chase the Money

Ensure your organisation’s mission and purpose matches closely with the funding body's mission and purpose. Only apply for grant funding that looks like it has been specifically written for your organisation.

2. Prepare to Do Extensive Groundwork

Identifying organisations that give grant funding to not for profit, sporting or community groups requires substantial time, effort and research. A good place to start is with funding bodies that have previously funded services or projects for groups like yours.

3. Determine Your Approach

Once you have identified potential funding bodies, next step is to determine how you are going to approach them. If you are able, try and make personal contact with the funding body and cultivate a relationship by utilising e-mail, telephone, office visit and/or a letter of inquiry. Do not fall into the trap of writing the proposal first and then looking for funding bodies. Your grant proposal should be written specifically for what that funding body is seeking

4. Get to Know the Funding Body

Get to know potential funding bodies through copies of their annual reports and analysing their website. Familiarise yourself with the buzz words they use. One idea is to incorporate that funding body’s colours into the graphics and fonts that you use when you write your grant proposal.

5. Do Whatever the Request for Proposal Says

It is vitally important to follow the requirements of the funding application to the letter. Your request for proposal (RFP) document is your guide for what to and what not to include in your grant application.

6. Clearly State Measurable Objectives

Generally, your grant proposal will have an introduction, including the amount requested, then a description and a brief history of your group and its projects and programs. Your grant proposal should also clearly describe the anticipated and the immediate results, the proposed implementation, all staff or key personnel, a concise budget, your methodology, all measurable benchmarks, your timetable and measurable objectives. Each measurable objective should have a subject, action, location, and timeframe.

7. Define How You Will Spend the Money

The funding body giving you the money must be sure you know how to spend it. Prove you know by including an anticipated budget break down. An accountant is invaluable here.

8. Enlist a Professional Grant Writer

A professional Grant writer is well worth the investment for your not for profit, community or sporting organisation. A professional grant writer offers experience and expertise in writing grant winning proposals. Red Tape Busters has a team of grant writers ready to work with you to produce a quality, high standard grant proposal. Grant writing Sydney, grant writing Melbourne and grant writing Australia wide, Red Tape Busters can help.

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