| Writing grants is a popular fundraising strategy for | | | | 7. Write your cover letter or summary last. After |
| nonprofit organizations. It's fairly easy to identify | | | | you've put the entire proposal together, the |
| foundations who might support your work and | | | | summary will flow easily. |
| once you get the hang of it, putting proposals | | | | 8. Get another set of eyes to proof read for you. |
| together becomes a smooth and easy process. | | | | Spell check doesn't catch word useage mistakes |
| Here are some tips for maximizing your chances | | | | (like typing from when you mean form). |
| of getting a grant. | | | | 9. Don't inflate your financial numbers or program |
| 1. Start early. Leave yourself plenty of time to | | | | numbers to appear more impressive. Share the |
| prepare the proposal, especially if you must | | | | truth. |
| involve other people. | | | | 10. Don't send the proposal via overnight mail. It |
| 2. Develop boilerplate text that you can use again | | | | can show a waste of money and procrastination. |
| and again. There's no reason to reinvent the | | | | 11. Don't use acronyms without first defining them. |
| wheel each time. | | | | Be careful of industry jargon. Remember that |
| 3. Follow the Foundation's instructions to the letter: | | | | your reader needs to be able to read and |
| deadlines, page limits, mailing instructions, | | | | understand your proposal easily. |
| formatting, attachments, etc. Don't give them any | | | | 12. If your request for money is denied, call to |
| reason to disqualify your proposal. | | | | thank the foundation for reviewing your project |
| 4. Use simple and concise language. Keep it | | | | and politely ask out why it was turned down. |
| interesting and readable. Write to a 6th grade | | | | You're likely to uncover some good ideas for |
| reading level. Make sure that someone with no | | | | improving your approach for the next foundation. |
| knowledge of your organization can read and | | | | Grantwriting is much like anything else - the more |
| understand your proposal. | | | | you practice and work at it, the better you'll get. |
| 5. Use a one-inch margin and 12-point font unless | | | | Keep writing and learning and not only will you get |
| otherwise instructed. These are pretty standard | | | | really good at it, you'll raise lots of money for |
| formatting options. | | | | your organization. |
| 6. Staple or clip the proposal - do not bind it. | | | | |