Grant Writing and Applying for Funding
Before beginning an application or grant proposal, programs seeking funding should consider the philanthropy's goals and values. Ensuring that the program's activities and goals fit within the philanthropy's overall vision is critical.
Philanthropies usually require a proposal. Each philanthropy will likely have different requirements for a proposal based on its mission, business practices, or decision-making processes. Because of these variations, it is important to review the requirements in detail with the program's grant writing team and the philanthropy's project officer, if possible. These requirements can include page limits, the preferred method to submit the proposal (electronic or hard copy), and information to include or exclude. It is important to follow the instructions closely.
Most philanthropies, because they are interested in making an impact with their funds, will want to see how successfully the project achieves its goals. A comprehensive grant proposal should include information about how the program plans to measure success, including the expected outcomes and the way(s) those outcomes will be measured. Guidance on developing an evaluation plan can be found in Module 5.
In addition to the proposal narrative, philanthropies will also ask for a project budget. This budget should be as realistic as possible. Some philanthropies may limit the amount of administrative costs their grant will cover, so it is important to understand the requirements. This information will be included in the request for proposals or on the philanthropy's website or can be requested directly from the philanthropy's project officer.
The most successful applications for funding are concise, organized, and easy to understand. Philanthropies must make difficult decisions about where to invest, so it is critical to demonstrate the grant's impact using a combination of both data and stories.
In rural organizations where resources are limited, there may not be staff available to prepare the application; the executive director may be writing the proposal. Rural organizations may also benefit from investing in training for an existing staff member who is already deeply familiar with the program's strengths and needs and can support a longer-term fundraising strategy. One rural community invested in a full-time Collective Impact Health Specialist who assists the community in developing partnerships and seeking funding opportunities (see Healthy Gorge Initiative).
Resources to Learn More
Don't Start Your Nonprofit Grant
Writing Until You Read This
Website
Describes a few key issues to keep in mind when developing a fundraising strategy that includes philanthropic
giving or grants. Sets some expectations for first-time grant applicants about choosing a grant opportunity and
predicting success.
Author(s): Koenig, M.
Organization(s): Nonprofit Hub
Grant Writing Institute
Training/tutorial
These grant writing workshops sponsored by NOSORH, often in conjunction with state departments of
health, are presented as a series of online sessions to help beginning grant writers learn skills to
research and develop winning proposals. Included modules cover how to form a consortium of
collaborators and how to implement evidence-based models in rural communities.
Organization(s): National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
Introduction to
Project Budgets
Tutorial/Training
Free, 60-90 minute training available as a recorded webinar, self-paced online module, or in-person
session (dates and locations available on the website). Provides an overview of the basic elements of
a project budget, estimating the cost of a project, and other financial documents that may be needed
for a grant proposal. Also available in Spanish. It is recommended but not required that participants first
complete Introduction
to Proposal Writing.
Organization(s): Candid Learning
Introduction to
Proposal Writing
Tutorial/Training
Free, 60-90 minute training available as a recorded webinar, self-paced online module, or in-person
session (dates and locations available on the website). Provides an overview of the basic components
of a project proposal to a foundation, as well as “dos” and “don'ts” and guidance on how
to follow-up once the funding decision has been made. Also available in Spanish.
Organization(s): Candid Learning