Proofing your grant writing

Given the competitive nature of grant writing it is advisable to follow a few simple processes to increase your chances of success.

When grant writing complete every little detail required of your grant application. Ensure the full contact details for your company or organisation are provided. Check the grant document to identify the number of contacts required and ensure you have checked, re checked and triple checked that the phone numbers and email addresses you are supplying are correct and the names, titles and positions of your contacts are correct also.

Ensure you complete all of the requested organisation details such as ABN, GST status, bank details, financial position and contact details and addresses and you have provided any attachments required as part of this process.

Ensure the project or program description or ideas section is fully completed and the grant writer has followed any formatting requests or expectations such as word counts and fonts are being used.

As a grant writer for a company or organisation it is worthwhile considering whether setting up an email account specifically for grant writing could be beneficial. You may receive a large number of both expected and unsolicited emails to your regular email address and you want to be able to reply promptly to any requests for additional information or other correspondence from the grant committee – having these requests go unanswered or being delayed can mean the difference between being successful with your application or being rejected.

Avoid using jargon and make the grant application clear, easy to read and specific so the grant funding evaluators can understand exactly what you hope to achieve with the grant funds.

A great grant writer provides continuity and consistency throughout the application. Don’t chop and change between writing in the first and third person. Read your finished application to see that it makes sense and flows smoothly.

Don’t cut and paste applications from previous applications or use a piecemeal approach with several grant writers working on different sections of the same application. Each grant writer has their own style of writing and doing this will lead to a disjointed application that is difficult to decipher and follow.

Read the grant program guide carefully prior to commencing the grant writing process to ensure that your project or program is eligible for funding under the grant terms and that everything you are including in your application is eligible. As tempting as it is to slip something in like IT needs when the grant precludes such items will lead to rejection of the entire grant. You may need to apply for more than one grant to achieve your full wish list.

Be clear an open with your budget forecast and avoid adding unexplained or miscellaneous requirements. The grant evaluators want to see exactly what the funding will purchase. Choose items that are a reasonable in cost– don’t seek a quote or price for the top of the line all the bells and whistles product if the middle of the range will achieve your goals just as effectively. Be realistic and explain definitively why your project or program is value for money and will provide positive outcomes for the target group.

Check your math! If your budget projections are incorrect or the totals don’t add up you are unlikely to be a successful grant writer in that case.

Clearly explain the organisation contribution to the project or program whether it is financial contribution or labour and in-kind contributions.

Align the budgeted items in your grant writing with your project description – that is be clear about what a piece of equipment is required and where exactly it matches your project or program description.

Lastly if you aren’t successful ask for feedback. As tempting as it is to think of this as a personal rejection biting the bullet and asking for feedback can help you be a better grant writer in the future.

Red Tape Busters has a team of experienced and enthusiastic grant writers ready to help write a successful grant proposal. With grant writers Sydney, grant writers Brisbane, grant writers Melbourne and grant writers nationwide, Red Tape Busters can help.

Red Tape Busters is one of the leading Grant Writing Company in Australia. We Have specialised grant writers assisting business and non-profit organisations all over Australia. For more information, please visit - http://bit.ly/2nuWajg