Grant Writing Tips

The formal proposal, in the required form and format, connects your ideas and interests with the ideas, interests, and programs of a funding source.
A proposal is a rational expression among performance, time, and cost as expressed in a formal document to a funding agency.
The proposal should be clear, concise, cogent, compelling, and correct - the “Five Cs” of carefully crafted proposals.
The objectives provide an organizing framework for the proposal; as much as possible, they should be stated in “measurable terms.”

Your proposal must contain enough good evaluation information so the proposal reader can assess the rigor and utility of your plan.
Develop a clear, concise, and cogent abstract that will “sell” your idea in 200-250 words.
Determine that you have sufficient time and resources to develop a proposal, establish a time frame. Consider deadlines DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!

Make your document “reader friendly” by making it physically attractive and easy to read.
The most important part of the rules and regulations describes how the funding agency evaluates your application.
A major mistake is to assume that the reader knows the conditions of the target area. Provide specific reasons why a project should be established in your area.
Use lists, numbered items, boldface type, and italics to catch the reader’s eye.
Objectives and activities are your road map to a successful proposal. Use the active when writing objectives and make them measurable.
Make sure your objectives and activities are clear enough so a person unfamiliar with our project could successfully implement them.
Dream a bit, but not too wild; be creative but realistic. Estimate costs slightly on the high side to account for inflation.
Gain the support of your target community by including its members in the planning of your proposal.

	Do your homework and get your commitments in writing. Keep your administrators informed of the status of your proposal so that resources are not assigned elsewhere.

The readers are your first audience. Write in terms that they understand. Always request a copy of your reader’s comments. A program officer will discuss the program; a grants and contracts officer will discuss monies. The negotiator probably is not familiar with your application. Do not be afraid to defend your budget. If the negotiator requires a budget reduction, you will need to adjust either or both time and performance to make your proposal work. Decisions you make during negotiations are decisions you will have to live with for a year. After notification that your proposal has been selected for funding, the grant officer assigned to your project negotiates final budget figures with you. Have all the financial procedures in order prior to the expenditure of money from your grant. Even before your project begins, determine the types of information you need to gather for an annual performance report. A good rule of thumb is to document and save copies of everything you do. A site visit can be the single most important factor in the funding agency’s deliberations regarding the project’s worthiness and prospects for future funding. Keep all financial and other important records for 5 years - safe and accessible.