While there are no guarantees that you will get every grant for which you apply, there are actions you can take that will make your proposal more competitive.

• Make sure you are eligible for a grant from the funding source, that you meet their criteria for whom they will fund, before you even apply.
• Once you have found an appropriate potential funding source, secure their directions/guidelines for submitting a proposal and follow them.
• If the grantmaker allows you to contact them with questions, don’t be afraid to do so when you need more information.
• Before you sit down to write, make sure you can answer four questions:
  • What are you going to do?
  • Why are you going to do it?
  • Who will it benefit?
  • How much is it going to cost?
• Be organized and specific.
• Use facts and data from credible sources and document those sources in your proposal.
• Inspire and engage by balancing the data with details that will make the reader “feel” that your cause is worthy of a grant.
• Create your budget with care, include all of your costs, explain how you derived your calculations, use an easy-to-follow format, and make sure your math is correct.
• Proofread until you are sick of your proposal, and then proofread one more time.
• Have someone else proofread your work.
• Include all of the attachments and backup documentation the funding source requires.
• If after submission the potential funder reaches out with questions or to request a site visit, respond promptly and fully.
• Once a decision on your request has been made:
  • If the answer is YES: keep the grantmaker informed along the way and submit your reports on time.
  • If the answer is NO: try to get feedback on what you can do next time and keep the grantmaker engaged through regular communication to build your relationship.