7 Ways to Make Your Grant Proposal Stand Out
Taproot Foundation
Taproot connects social change organizations with passionate, skilled volunteers for high-quality pro bono engagements.
You’ve found a potential grant opportunity and are ready to apply for it. The grants process can be complicated at times but investing a little extra time in a few key areas can often make a significant difference in the likelihood of receiving funding.?
Use this list to ensure that you write a strong grant application every time you submit one, making your program more likely to be supported.?
1. Check that it’s a good fit
Foundations and grant programs choose their funding focus areas for a reason—make sure you understand first what the organization is interested in supporting. When looking for funding opportunities for the population your organization serves, make sure that a foundation’s goals align with the specific work your organization does. For example, a foundation seeking to serve veterans might be interested in funding financial literacy programming, rather than affordable housing for veterans.??
Foundations will state their guidelines ?in various ways on their websites, so ensure the program you are seeking funding for fits squarely within the foundation’s guidelines. Even though we all hope to be able to persuade a program officer, your best chance at being funded will be when your work strongly aligns with the funder’s focus area and funding guidelines.?