Every day, we partner with many small community organizations and large national organizations. As a result, we know that many nonprofits start their fundraising efforts with grant writing. Grantwriting is part science and part art. So, today, we decided to help those who aren’t fundraising experts by providing tips for writing grants.
What are Nonprofit Grants?
If you are new to the nonprofit sector or are volunteering somewhere, you may not be familiar with grants as they relate to nonprofit fundraising. In short, grants are contributions or gifts provided by grantmakers. Those grantmakers typically are large foundations or corporations, but they can also include state or federal governments. For many nonprofits, grants are a critical income stream.
Researching Potential Funders
Now that you’re familiar with grants let’s get to the first step in learning how to write grants: researching funders. Essentially, you’re looking to figure out which funders would be open to giving to your type of organization through a grant. Some places to research grantmakers include the Foundation Directory of Grant Station. But it’s not solely about the funder; it’s also about your nonprofit.
Any nonprofit grant writer has to understand the following about the organization before getting started with grant writing:
- Understanding the organization’s needs. It’s not possible to write grants without knowing the programs you need to fund, including the budget, goals, and the impact the funds will make in supporting the organization’s mission.
- Finding the right match. Not every funder, even if it’s one that your nonprofit leaders think is a prospect, is the right match for your organization. So, be ready to take a pass on those funders that don’t align with your mission and work. (Pay attention to guidelines).
Knowing What Nonprofit Funders Want
The key to success for learning how to write grants successfully is to understand what funders want. Most grantmakers have specific guidelines for the organizations they’re willing to fund. However, those guidelines have some things in common, such as the following.
- Alignment with their mission. For one, nonprofit grantmakers want their contributions to go to organizations that align with their funding priorities.
- Evidence of impact. Second, funders are like all donors. In short, they want to know that their donations make a measurable impact.
- Organizational capacity. Third, funders care about organizations that have a track record. If you need institutional capacity grants to build, research those providers.
- Sustainability. Funders don’t want to fund the same organization for many years. So, they want to know that your programs can continue once the grant period ends.
Crafting Your Organization Grant Proposal
The easiest way to think about how to write grants when you’re starting is that you’re telling a story. In this case, your main character is your nonprofit organization, looking to make a difference. Next, focus on the elements that most grants require, which are as follows:
1. Executive Summary
When writing a nonprofit grant, the executive summary describes what you intend to do with it. It also includes why the grant is critical and how much you’re requesting. This section aims to grab the reader’s attention, so make it impactful.
2. Statement of Need
In this section, you need to describe the problem. Moreover, it’s essential to substantiate it with research and data. This section intends to ensure the grantmaker knows your understanding of the issue and why you can solve it.
3. Nonprofit Project or Program Description
This part of the grant request is your proposed program or project. It could be an existing program or one you want to launch. Ensure you include the goals, objectives, population served, and outcomes. Also, be clear about how you’ll measure success.
4. Nonprofit Budget
The budget for your grant request needs to detail the financial plan for your program or project. Moreover, it’s got to clearly outline how you intend to use the grant funds you would receive. Remember, the aim is to be transparent and clear in the budget.
5. Organization Information
This part of the grant request speaks to the nonprofit’s mission, history, and what it does in the community. In short, it’s the time to highlight your organization’s accomplishments, experience, and ability to carry out the program.
6. Summary
Finally, when you conclude your proposal, you want to close it by summarizing the essential points of your request. Further, you should reiterate the impact you can make in the community and express your thanks for the grantmakers’ consideration.
Final Tips for Grant Writing Success
When you’re just learning about grant writing, it can feel overwhelming. But there are a few final tips we’d like to share. First, always follow the grantmaker guidelines, including deadlines, formatting, and word count. Next, remember to always proofread your proposal with several people doing the proofing. Make sure to write in a manner that’s clear and concise. Avoid jargon. And finally, share a compelling story. Now, get to it. Good luck!
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