How do you balance innovation with feasibility in grant proposals?

1 Understand the funder's goals and criteria

Before you start writing your grant proposal, you need to research the funder's goals and criteria. What are their priorities, values, and expectations? What kind of projects do they support and why? How do they measure success and accountability? By aligning your proposal with the funder's vision and mission, you can show that you understand their needs and that your project is a good fit for their funding.

2 Define your problem and solution clearly

One of the most important parts of your grant proposal is the problem statement and the solution statement. These are the sections where you explain why your project is needed and how it will address the problem. You need to be clear, specific, and evidence-based in defining the problem and the solution. Avoid vague or generic statements that could apply to any project or organization. Instead, use data, facts, and stories to illustrate the problem and the solution. Show how your project is innovative, but also feasible, by explaining how it is different from existing or previous solutions, but also how it is based on sound research, best practices, or proven methods.

3 Show your impact and sustainability

Another key part of your grant proposal is the impact statement and the sustainability statement. These are the sections where you show how your project will make a difference and how it will last beyond the grant period. You need to be realistic, measurable, and achievable in showing your impact and sustainability. Avoid unrealistic or exaggerated claims that could raise doubts or questions. Instead, use SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound) objectives and indicators to show how you will monitor and evaluate your impact. Show how your project is feasible, but also innovative, by explaining how it will leverage existing resources, partnerships, or networks, but also how it will create new opportunities, collaborations, or capacities.

4 Communicate your passion and credibility

The final part of your grant proposal is the organizational profile and the budget. These are the sections where you communicate your passion and credibility as a non-profit organization. You need to be professional, transparent, and concise in communicating your passion and credibility. Avoid irrelevant or excessive information that could distract or confuse the reader. Instead, use your organizational profile to highlight your mission, vision, values, history, achievements, and team. Use your budget to show how you will use the grant funds efficiently, effectively, and ethically. Show how your project is feasible, but also innovative, by explaining how it aligns with your organizational goals and strategies, but also how it reflects your organizational culture and identity.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?