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A complete guide to write a business proposal 

HOW TO WRITE A GRANT PROPOSAL (5 STEPS YOU SHOULD FOLLOW)

Writing a proposal can be time-consuming, especially if you lack the expertise in writing it. To put together a grant proposal, first, you must clearly describe a specific problem found in your community or area of interest, design or put up a program that will address it, and then describe the program in detail for the grant funding source.

If your organization is just applying for a grant for the first time, you will benefit from the entire process. Not only will you have the opportunity of securing funding, but you will also learn some other things about applying for grants and the process in general. Your goal should be to end up with a well-conceived proposal that lays out a strategy to address the problem you have identified, as well as the funding to pay for it. The steps to writing a grant proposal are enumerated below:

Step 1: Agree on the Problem

For a proposal to receive funding, the grantmaker (or funder) must be convinced that funding your program will have a positive and measurable effect on your community.

Start by identifying a need. What problem or issue in your community can be improved or changed with the grant money and a good effort? You may feel that there is a need to provide more water channels or clean up a polluted river. But unless there is general agreement in the community on the need for your project, it may be difficult to get a grant fund to to fix it — and even more difficult to complete the project.

Involve All Stakeholders To develop a successful proposal, it’s important to involve all of the stakeholders. A stakeholder is anyone affected by, or with an interest in, the project. For example, stakeholders in a river clean-up project include citizens in your community affected by the pollution, the party or parties responsible for the problem, anyone that will be involved in the clean up, businesses, government, and other entities that will help pay for the clean up, and government agencies that regulate pollution and water quality.

Ask for involvement from the organizations you already partner with and consider forming new relationships with like-minded groups. Having a diverse group is welcome since the levels of participation will vary among partners.

Plan a meeting of stakeholders at a convenient time and an acceptable place. Be prepared for disagreement among the stakeholders — remember that your goal is to try and achieve a consensus of opinion.

Define the Problem or Situation Involve stakeholders in developing a clear, concise description of the problem or situation. More than one meeting may be necessary to arrive at a consensus that satisfies most of the stakeholders. The effort will be worth it. Once people agree on the problem, the rest of the work flows more smoothly

Describe the Impact of the Problem Use the same clear, objective language to describe the problem’s impact, both in social and economic costs. It is a shame if pollution in a river harms wildlife, but it’s more compelling to show that people can no longer fish or swim in the river because of pollution. Show how the situation has changed the way people live. Show the impact of the situation in the community and how it can get worse.

Investigate Possible Causes of the Problem Even if the cause(s) of the problem appear obvious to you, seek formal agreement from as many stakeholders as possible on the cause(s). The amount of detailed evidence you will need to present to a grant-making agency will vary. If a formal investigation into the causes has not been conducted, consider forming a committee to conduct or oversee an investigation and a follow-up report. Bring in outside or neutral investigators or experts to bolster your credibility. And even if there is agreement on the cause of the problem, you may still need an investigation to formally document the cause and to quantify as many factors as you can, depending on the grant’s requirements.

When describing a problem, ensure you use language that is understandable by all stakeholders.

Step 2: Describe What You Hope to Achieve

You’ve described a problem and identified the most likely causes. Now you need to focus on the solution or desired outcome of your proposed activity. What will occur as a result of your project? How will a situation improve? What changes will the people experience? If you have a project to clean up a contaminated water channel; will people be able to drink clean water and catch fish afterward?

Measuring Success in Outputs and Outcomes Be careful not to confuse these terms. Outputs are measures of a program’s activities; outcomes are changes that result from the activities. Outputs matter because they lead to outcomes. Note that in our example, an output might be an increase in the size of a stream-side vegetative buffer. An outcome might be the resulting increase in the oyster harvest that occurs because the buffer stops pollutants from reaching the river. It is also important for you to realize that a funder may specify a different way to measure success.

Identify the Key Outcomes Some projects will have a long list of outcomes. It is advisable that you identify the main outcomes that will come from the project. The possible outcomes that may result from the purchase and dispensing of mosquito nets may include:

Reduction in mosquito

Improvement in the health of kids

Similarly, here are some possible outcomes that can result from a river clean up:

People will be able to swim in the river.

People in the community will be able to fish and eat the fishes caught

Ensure you state the major outcomes from the proposed project and make sure they are realistic and relatable. Work with your stakeholders to develop a consensus on two or three primary outcomes.

Set Realistic and Achievable Outcomes Your projected outcomes must be realistic. If you are doing a river clean up project, it is sure that some pollution will always exist within the river. Reducing the pollutants to an acceptable level in one year or even five years might be impossible. Consult with experts — local ones are fine — and determine what is realistic for your situation. If the river clean up will take ten years, say so. Failing to meet goals will make getting additional funding in the future more difficult. It is far better to under-promise and exceed your goals than to over-promise and under-deliver. However, don’t seriously underestimate what can be achieved. You may promise too little, and the project may not appear cost-effective and you may not secure the amount of funds you desire.

Measure and Record the Result of Your Work State what results you hope to achieve and when you hope to achieve them. If you are going to improve a situation in the community, to what level will they be improved? Use specific numbers or a range. For example, a pollutant will be decreased by 15 to 20 parts per million, or ppm).

If you cannot measure or count an output, do not include it. If you have set clear objectives that you would like to achieve, put them in a measurable form

Focus on End Results Always keep in mind your goal(s). Every activity should be evaluated on how it helps to achieve the ultimate goal(s) you have set. Every activity and step should follow in succession towards helping you realize the end results you have planned.

Step 3: Design Your Program

Now that you know your present state and what you aim to achieve, your next step should be to determine the best strategy and path to follow to achieve your aims. Note that: the best path may not always be the shortest, cheapest, easiest, or quickest.

So how do you decide the best path to take for your project?

Get Expert Opinions Grantmakers (funders), both governmental and private, often have experts on staff who can help you. You can contact them and ask for their help and opinions. Similarly, you can consult or use the services of small brands or freelancers who are specialized in the grant acquisition process. Here are a few freelance experts that are recommended

1. Nancycool 2. Phenomenal Brand 3.  Writing Icon

Research What Others Have Done Reinventing the wheel is unnecessary. Look for organizations that have developed projects similar to yours. Examine their failures as closely as their successes. Knowing what does not work is often more valuable than knowing what does.

You may also get important information from the press and from professional journals — one exists for just about every topic you can imagine. Search the Internet and contact professional associations. If you are near a college or university, find out if a faculty member or researcher has studied the problem. But don’t just read about what others have done. Learn about projects firsthand by visiting the project site. If a visit isn’t possible, contact those involved in similar projects by phone, email, or letter.

Get Support/Approval From Stakeholders Whatever solution you choose, it’s essential that all key stakeholders agree fully on the plan. This is critical to your success. You may never get 100 percent agreement, but you want to prevent overwhelming opposition. People are most likely to support a project they helped create.

Ask your stakeholders to show support through letters of support and commitment. Letters of support state that the person or organization agrees with what you want to do and will not oppose you. More valuable are letters of commitment that specify how the person or organization will assist you. The assistance may include contributions of time, money, labour, space, supplies, materials, and other necessities.

Describe your solution in a clear manner With assistance from experts and your key stakeholders, clearly describe your solution. What will be done, and by whom? If your project is technical, you may want two versions: one expressed in technical terms and the other in lay terms. It is important that both technical experts and the general public understand your plan.

A clear description of how you plan to achieve your desired outcomes, with a timeline and detailed workplan, can be very useful in helping you obtain funding and getting a wider range of support from stakeholders.

Step 4: Locate Funding Sources

Now that you’ve agreed upon a solution and program design, you need to find the resources — the people, the equipment, and the money — to get your project done. Without the necessary funding, you may not be able to follow through with your plan. Locating funding requires an investment of time and careful planning. There are thousands of grant funding sources available worldwide. You may have to put in effort to search for the organizations that support similar projects as yours. You can either choose to search yourself or you can hire experts. Many funders have a lengthy process for reviewing proposals.

Start with Organizations or People You Know As most funders, both government and private, provide money for rather specific purposes, your search can be targeted. Inquire with the most obvious choices first, like those that have funded similar projects in your geographic area. If your solution is outside the scope of their funding, they may be able to point you toward the right source. Can they introduce you to contacts at organizations with which they have a relationship? Then, meet with the individuals to whom you’ve been referred. An introduction from someone the funder trusts lends you credibility.

Use the Internet to Research Funders Visit the federal government Web site www.grants.gov, the central source for locating and applying for up to 900 programs from 26 federal grant-making agencies, covering $350 billion in annual awards. In addition, check individual federal agency Web sites, as not all programs are listed on www.grants.gov. Also, check state and local government Web sites to see what grants they offer. State and local governments administer many federal and private grants and will list these as well.

Hire Professional grant researchers There are some sets of people that are professionals in researching and seeking grants. These individuals already have the right contacts and they know where to search for grant opportunities for any organization or business. Hire them and pay for their time — tell them what your organization and project are all about and they will help you find suitable grant opportunities that you can apply for and get funding. They can also help you during the application process; giving you expert advice and support throughout the entire process. Majority of them are freelancers and they can work remotely from any location in a timely manner. Here are a few recommended experts (people that have been tested over time) in that area that can help you make the whole process easy:

1. Phenomealguy2 2. Nancycool

Questions to Ask When Reviewing a Funding Source Once you find a promising funding source, learn as much as you can about that organization and its particular funding program. Read the information on the organization’s Web site thoroughly to find out:

* Do you want to work with this organization? * Does it typically fund organizations and projects like yours? * Do you qualify for a particular program? * Can you meet all of the grant requirements?

Establish a Relationship with the Grant Program Officer Grant announcements, often called “Request For Proposals” (RFPs), usually list a contact person — the program officer — who manages the process. Arrange to meet the program officer, preferably in person, or by phone. Program officers are usually experts in the application process and may be knowledgeable about your type of project. Let him/her know about your organization, its accomplishments, and your proposed project. Confirm that your project is eligible for funding. Ask any questions you have about the grant announcement and clarify anything you don’t understand. You will not appear foolish by asking a question; however, it would be a real mistake to omit a main item from your grant application.

Involve Your Funder in Your Project

Make effort to involve your funders in your project as they are key stakeholders and are a very important part of your project. Invite their representatives for major milestones and ensure you involve them in the best way you can. Some funders may want less involvement after giving you money. For such, ensure you send periodical reports of your project and the money given to you as the case may be. Also, some funders may want to share in your success, be generous to carry them along.

Step 5: Write Your Proposal

Once you have designed and written a description of your program, the needs you aim to address, the outcomes and activities of our program, the next step is to write your proposal. Use the information you have gathered as leverage and basis to apply for other grant opportunities. When writing proposals, tailor your proposal to the needs of each funder. Study previous proposals that were accepted and funded by the funders and use them as guides to put your proposal together.

Every RFP specifies what information should be included and in what format. Read all instructions carefully and ensure you follow them.

Follow instructions to the letter Do not assume anything can be taken for granted. When it comes to the grant application process, every step and information is important. Stick to the instructions given by the grant funder. If there is a page limit, stick to that page limit and ensure you do no exceed them.

Study the Criteria Usually, funders have criteria for evaluating the quality of a proposal. These criteria are used to rate a proposal. Only the proposals that meet the criteria set and are given the highest ratings by the grantmaker get funding. Study all the application criteria and ensure you write your proposal in the best way it can get the highest rating.

Use a Checklist to ensure your application is Complete

Move further to make a list of all the proposal criteria and all the point values if applicable. Use this list to check that you have included everything that is required for the proposal. Excluding vital information or submitting incomplete information may lower your score or result in your proposal getting rejected. You can use the list as a table of contents to make it easy for reviewers to find required information in your proposal. Pay close attention to the budget section — ensuring all costs are well explained.

Hire a Professional Writer You may choose not to, but hiring a professional writer or consultant to help you with your proposal comes with a lot of advantages. Not only is the consultant/writer skilled and experienced in grant programs, but they will also be able to commit time into the project; something you might not have. Spending a few bucks to put together a proposal that could land you a lot of funds for your project is not a bad idea. Considering the fact that there are a lot of competitors, you’d want to make use of every available expertise and resources that you can get to achieve your aim. The return on investment is always credible, especially if you get to get the grant fund.

Before you hire anyone, check out the reviews about them; what other clients are saying about them. Are they positive or negative? Ask about their professional background and expertise in handling projects similar to yours. There are quite a few tested consultants/writers that are recommended. These individuals have quite a good history and have been tried by several persons in the business industry. You can check out the gigs below if you are interested in working with some of these consultants.

1. Grant Writer/Consultant

2.  Grant researcher and Proposal Writer

3.  Grant Writer/Consulting gig

  Edit thoroughly

Remember that whatever you say in your proposal and how you say it presents an image of what the proposal reviewer thinks about you, your project and your community. Be sure to edit the proposal carefully and ensure it is clear and easy to understand. You can also give the proposal to a cold reviewer (who has not been involved in the project) to go through and get their opinion. Ask them if it is easy for them to read and understand.

Try your best to eliminate grammatical errors, spelling or typographical errors. If you are hiring someone to help you write your proposal, be sure they edit and check for grammatical errors. Most professionals will do this anyways.

Before you attach your signature to an application, be sure that the application is complete and accurate.

Meet Deadlines

Most grant programs have specific deadlines. Missing them may result in your proposal being rejected outrightly and may affect your chances of getting funding in that period. It is better you start the process early so you can make up for any delays that may arise.

[pkjacks]

HOW TO WRITE A GRANT PROPOSAL (5 STEPS YOU SHOULD FOLLOW)

Writing a proposal can be time-consuming, especially if you lack the expertise in writing it. To put together a grant proposal, first, you must clearly describe a specific problem found in your community or area of interest, design or put up a program that will address it, and then describe the program in detail for the grant funding source.

If your organization is just applying for a grant for the first time, you will benefit from the entire process. Not only will you have the opportunity of securing funding, but you will also learn some other things about applying for grants and the process in general. Your goal should be to end up with a well-conceived proposal that lays out a strategy to address the problem you have identified, as well as the funding to pay for it. The steps to writing a grant proposal are enumerated below:

Step 1: Agree on the Problem

For a proposal to receive funding, the grantmaker (or funder) must be convinced that funding your program will have a positive and measurable effect on your community.

Start by identifying a need. What problem or issue in your community can be improved or changed with the grant money and a good effort? You may feel that there is a need to provide more water channels or clean up a polluted river. But unless there is general agreement in the community on the need for your project, it may be difficult to get a grant fund to to fix it — and even more difficult to complete the project.

Involve All Stakeholders To develop a successful proposal, it’s important to involve all of the stakeholders. A stakeholder is anyone affected by, or with an interest in, the project. For example, stakeholders in a river clean-up project include citizens in your community affected by the pollution, the party or parties responsible for the problem, anyone that will be involved in the clean up, businesses, government, and other entities that will help pay for the clean up, and government agencies that regulate pollution and water quality.

Ask for involvement from the organizations you already partner with and consider forming new relationships with like-minded groups. Having a diverse group is welcome since the levels of participation will vary among partners.

Plan a meeting of stakeholders at a convenient time and an acceptable place. Be prepared for disagreement among the stakeholders — remember that your goal is to try and achieve a consensus of opinion.

Define the Problem or Situation Involve stakeholders in developing a clear, concise description of the problem or situation. More than one meeting may be necessary to arrive at a consensus that satisfies most of the stakeholders. The effort will be worth it. Once people agree on the problem, the rest of the work flows more smoothly

Describe the Impact of the Problem Use the same clear, objective language to describe the problem’s impact, both in social and economic costs. It is a shame if pollution in a river harms wildlife, but it’s more compelling to show that people can no longer fish or swim in the river because of pollution. Show how the situation has changed the way people live. Show the impact of the situation in the community and how it can get worse.

Investigate Possible Causes of the Problem Even if the cause(s) of the problem appear obvious to you, seek formal agreement from as many stakeholders as possible on the cause(s). The amount of detailed evidence you will need to present to a grant-making agency will vary. If a formal investigation into the causes has not been conducted, consider forming a committee to conduct or oversee an investigation and a follow-up report. Bring in outside or neutral investigators or experts to bolster your credibility. And even if there is agreement on the cause of the problem, you may still need an investigation to formally document the cause and to quantify as many factors as you can, depending on the grant’s requirements.

When describing a problem, ensure you use language that is understandable by all stakeholders.

Step 2: Describe What You Hope to Achieve

You’ve described a problem and identified the most likely causes. Now you need to focus on the solution or desired outcome of your proposed activity. What will occur as a result of your project? How will a situation improve? What changes will the people experience? If you have a project to clean up a contaminated water channel; will people be able to drink clean water and catch fish afterward?

Measuring Success in Outputs and Outcomes Be careful not to confuse these terms. Outputs are measures of a program’s activities; outcomes are changes that result from the activities. Outputs matter because they lead to outcomes. Note that in our example, an output might be an increase in the size of a stream-side vegetative buffer. An outcome might be the resulting increase in the oyster harvest that occurs because the buffer stops pollutants from reaching the river. It is also important for you to realize that a funder may specify a different way to measure success.

Identify the Key Outcomes Some projects will have a long list of outcomes. It is advisable that you identify the main outcomes that will come from the project. The possible outcomes that may result from the purchase and dispensing of mosquito nets may include:

Reduction in mosquito

Improvement in the health of kids

Similarly, here are some possible outcomes that can result from a river clean up:

People will be able to swim in the river.

People in the community will be able to fish and eat the fishes caught

Ensure you state the major outcomes from the proposed project and make sure they are realistic and relatable. Work with your stakeholders to develop a consensus on two or three primary outcomes.

Set Realistic and Achievable Outcomes Your projected outcomes must be realistic. If you are doing a river clean up project, it is sure that some pollution will always exist within the river. Reducing the pollutants to an acceptable level in one year or even five years might be impossible. Consult with experts — local ones are fine — and determine what is realistic for your situation. If the river clean up will take ten years, say so. Failing to meet goals will make getting additional funding in the future more difficult. It is far better to under-promise and exceed your goals than to over-promise and under-deliver. However, don’t seriously underestimate what can be achieved. You may promise too little, and the project may not appear cost-effective and you may not secure the amount of funds you desire.

Measure and Record the Result of Your Work State what results you hope to achieve and when you hope to achieve them. If you are going to improve a situation in the community, to what level will they be improved? Use specific numbers or a range. For example, a pollutant will be decreased by 15 to 20 parts per million, or ppm).

If you cannot measure or count an output, do not include it. If you have set clear objectives that you would like to achieve, put them in a measurable form

Focus on End Results Always keep in mind your goal(s). Every activity should be evaluated on how it helps to achieve the ultimate goal(s) you have set. Every activity and step should follow in succession towards helping you realize the end results you have planned.

Step 3: Design Your Program

Now that you know your present state and what you aim to achieve, your next step should be to determine the best strategy and path to follow to achieve your aims. Note that: the best path may not always be the shortest, cheapest, easiest, or quickest.

So how do you decide the best path to take for your project?

Get Expert Opinions Grantmakers (funders), both governmental and private, often have experts on staff who can help you. You can contact them and ask for their help and opinions. Similarly, you can consult or use the services of small brands or freelancers who are specialized in the grant acquisition process. Here are a few freelance experts that are recommended

1. Nancycool 2. Phenomenal Brand 3.  Writing Icon

Research What Others Have Done Reinventing the wheel is unnecessary. Look for organizations that have developed projects similar to yours. Examine their failures as closely as their successes. Knowing what does not work is often more valuable than knowing what does.

You may also get important information from the press and from professional journals — one exists for just about every topic you can imagine. Search the Internet and contact professional associations. If you are near a college or university, find out if a faculty member or researcher has studied the problem. But don’t just read about what others have done. Learn about projects firsthand by visiting the project site. If a visit isn’t possible, contact those involved in similar projects by phone, email, or letter.

Get Support/Approval From Stakeholders Whatever solution you choose, it’s essential that all key stakeholders agree fully on the plan. This is critical to your success. You may never get 100 percent agreement, but you want to prevent overwhelming opposition. People are most likely to support a project they helped create.

Ask your stakeholders to show support through letters of support and commitment. Letters of support state that the person or organization agrees with what you want to do and will not oppose you. More valuable are letters of commitment that specify how the person or organization will assist you. The assistance may include contributions of time, money, labour, space, supplies, materials, and other necessities.

Describe your solution in a clear manner With assistance from experts and your key stakeholders, clearly describe your solution. What will be done, and by whom? If your project is technical, you may want two versions: one expressed in technical terms and the other in lay terms. It is important that both technical experts and the general public understand your plan.

A clear description of how you plan to achieve your desired outcomes, with a timeline and detailed workplan, can be very useful in helping you obtain funding and getting a wider range of support from stakeholders.

Step 4: Locate Funding Sources

Now that you’ve agreed upon a solution and program design, you need to find the resources — the people, the equipment, and the money — to get your project done. Without the necessary funding, you may not be able to follow through with your plan. Locating funding requires an investment of time and careful planning. There are thousands of grant funding sources available worldwide. You may have to put in effort to search for the organizations that support similar projects as yours. You can either choose to search yourself or you can hire experts. Many funders have a lengthy process for reviewing proposals.

Start with Organizations or People You Know As most funders, both government and private, provide money for rather specific purposes, your search can be targeted. Inquire with the most obvious choices first, like those that have funded similar projects in your geographic area. If your solution is outside the scope of their funding, they may be able to point you toward the right source. Can they introduce you to contacts at organizations with which they have a relationship? Then, meet with the individuals to whom you’ve been referred. An introduction from someone the funder trusts lends you credibility.

Use the Internet to Research Funders Visit the federal government Web site www.grants.gov, the central source for locating and applying for up to 900 programs from 26 federal grant-making agencies, covering $350 billion in annual awards. In addition, check individual federal agency Web sites, as not all programs are listed on www.grants.gov. Also, check state and local government Web sites to see what grants they offer. State and local governments administer many federal and private grants and will list these as well.

Hire Professional grant researchers There are some sets of people that are professionals in researching and seeking grants. These individuals already have the right contacts and they know where to search for grant opportunities for any organization or business. Hire them and pay for their time — tell them what your organization and project are all about and they will help you find suitable grant opportunities that you can apply for and get funding. They can also help you during the application process; giving you expert advice and support throughout the entire process. Majority of them are freelancers and they can work remotely from any location in a timely manner. Here are a few recommended experts (people that have been tested over time) in that area that can help you make the whole process easy:

1. Phenomealguy2 2. Nancycool

Questions to Ask When Reviewing a Funding Source Once you find a promising funding source, learn as much as you can about that organization and its particular funding program. Read the information on the organization’s Web site thoroughly to find out:

* Do you want to work with this organization? * Does it typically fund organizations and projects like yours? * Do you qualify for a particular program? * Can you meet all of the grant requirements?

Establish a Relationship with the Grant Program Officer Grant announcements, often called “Request For Proposals” (RFPs), usually list a contact person — the program officer — who manages the process. Arrange to meet the program officer, preferably in person, or by phone. Program officers are usually experts in the application process and may be knowledgeable about your type of project. Let him/her know about your organization, its accomplishments, and your proposed project. Confirm that your project is eligible for funding. Ask any questions you have about the grant announcement and clarify anything you don’t understand. You will not appear foolish by asking a question; however, it would be a real mistake to omit a main item from your grant application.

Involve Your Funder in Your Project

Make effort to involve your funders in your project as they are key stakeholders and are a very important part of your project. Invite their representatives for major milestones and ensure you involve them in the best way you can. Some funders may want less involvement after giving you money. For such, ensure you send periodical reports of your project and the money given to you as the case may be. Also, some funders may want to share in your success, be generous to carry them along.

Step 5: Write Your Proposal

Once you have designed and written a description of your program, the needs you aim to address, the outcomes and activities of our program, the next step is to write your proposal. Use the information you have gathered as leverage and basis to apply for other grant opportunities. When writing proposals, tailor your proposal to the needs of each funder. Study previous proposals that were accepted and funded by the funders and use them as guides to put your proposal together.

Every RFP specifies what information should be included and in what format. Read all instructions carefully and ensure you follow them.

Follow instructions to the letter Do not assume anything can be taken for granted. When it comes to the grant application process, every step and information is important. Stick to the instructions given by the grant funder. If there is a page limit, stick to that page limit and ensure you do no exceed them.

Study the Criteria Usually, funders have criteria for evaluating the quality of a proposal. These criteria are used to rate a proposal. Only the proposals that meet the criteria set and are given the highest ratings by the grantmaker get funding. Study all the application criteria and ensure you write your proposal in the best way it can get the highest rating.

Use a Checklist to ensure your application is Complete

Move further to make a list of all the proposal criteria and all the point values if applicable. Use this list to check that you have included everything that is required for the proposal. Excluding vital information or submitting incomplete information may lower your score or result in your proposal getting rejected. You can use the list as a table of contents to make it easy for reviewers to find required information in your proposal. Pay close attention to the budget section — ensuring all costs are well explained.

Hire a Professional Writer You may choose not to, but hiring a professional writer or consultant to help you with your proposal comes with a lot of advantages. Not only is the consultant/writer skilled and experienced in grant programs, but they will also be able to commit time into the project; something you might not have. Spending a few bucks to put together a proposal that could land you a lot of funds for your project is not a bad idea. Considering the fact that there are a lot of competitors, you’d want to make use of every available expertise and resources that you can get to achieve your aim. The return on investment is always credible, especially if you get to get the grant fund.

Before you hire anyone, check out the reviews about them; what other clients are saying about them. Are they positive or negative? Ask about their professional background and expertise in handling projects similar to yours. There are quite a few tested consultants/writers that are recommended. These individuals have quite a good history and have been tried by several persons in the business industry. You can check out the gigs below if you are interested in working with some of these consultants.

1. Grant Writer/Consultant

2.  Grant researcher and Proposal Writer

3.  Grant Writer/Consulting gig

  Edit thoroughly

Remember that whatever you say in your proposal and how you say it presents an image of what the proposal reviewer thinks about you, your project and your community. Be sure to edit the proposal carefully and ensure it is clear and easy to understand. You can also give the proposal to a cold reviewer (who has not been involved in the project) to go through and get their opinion. Ask them if it is easy for them to read and understand.

Try your best to eliminate grammatical errors, spelling or typographical errors. If you are hiring someone to help you write your proposal, be sure they edit and check for grammatical errors. Most professionals will do this anyways.

Before you attach your signature to an application, be sure that the application is complete and accurate.

Meet Deadlines

Most grant programs have specific deadlines. Missing them may result in your proposal being rejected outrightly and may affect your chances of getting funding in that period. It is better you start the process early so you can make up for any delays that may arise.

#proposal #grant #nonprofit #startup #business #entrepreneur #rfp #grant writing