In today's competitive landscape, grant proposals must do more than respond to funding opportunities. It must showcase how projects align with priorities, and how the funding will directly achieve objectives. It must demonstrate a deep understanding of how the project advances the mission. But with so many parties with different priorities competing for limited funds, how can a proposal stand out?
Standing Out
First, while a grant proposal can appear similar to a response to an RFP, a Notice of Funding Opportunity, or Funding Opportunity Announcement (solicitation), it's not quite that simple. A grant funding opportunity at its core is the funder's request for a partnership with an entity that can advance its mission, advocacy, and call for change.
A grant proposal that stands out is one that describes in detail how a project fits the funder's advocacy goals and objectives better than anyone else. This starts by defining the need for a solution to a problem in a way that illustrates the understanding of the problem. From there, the proposal must showcase why the proposed solution works and the specific outcomes if the funding is received.
What Do Grant Funders Want to See?
The description of the project should be specific and measurable. The proposal should also describe what indicators will be tracked to ensure the project is successful. Funders also want to see realistic projects. What is the management plan for implementation? Are all the responsibilities defined? Do all tasks have an owner? Answers to these questions set realistic expectations and timelines of how the grant will be utilized.
A funder will expect to see a complete project with all the risks identified, a description of assumptions, and the plan for overcoming the risks. A funder also wants to ensure that the money will be used as an investment in sustainable outcomes. Therefore, a standout grant proposal should provide a plan for how a project will continue without this funding.
Tone can't be underestimated The grant proposal should be simple to read and resonate with the evaluator. JetCo Solutions has 19 years of experience in the nuances of grant writing and can help your organization plan and prepare grant proposals to secure funding.
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