Innovation & Improvement

Education Grants 101 - Hints for Preparing Grant Proposals

Grants 101: Home • Where to Begin • Definitions • Why Proposals are Not Funded • ED Grant Info

A grant proposal is similar to a personal resume—you have one chance to make a good impression and grab someone’s attention; this is the only information the reviewers have to judge the capabilities of your organization.

Devote sufficient time and energy—even a full-time commitment—to searching for grant funds and writing grant proposals.
Identify your needs and be well informed on all aspects of them.
Research sources of information on grants and grant writing before attempting to write a proposal.
Attend some training workshops on grant writing.
Volunteer as a reader of grants.
Obtain each grantor's guidelines and keep in mind that your needs must match the grantor's objectives.
Read through the guidelines and application very carefully several times to make sure that you have included all of the required information.
Write to the point and concisely. Do not use extraneous or verbose language that adds nothing of substance to the proposal. Make your document visually appealing.
Do not hesitate to ask the grantor for any clarification that you may need.
Take your time completing the application and proposal. Be sure that every requirement is answered completely and accurately.
Write each grant so that it addresses the person reading it.
Assemble a team to develop, review, and critique the proposal.
Be sure someone else proofreads the proposal.
Do not use fancy packaging for the proposal. This only costs money and will not give you any additional points.
Note the application deadline. Double-check the address and send the proposal by registered or certified mail with sufficient time to meet the deadline.
If your proposal is not funded, be sure to find out why. Be open to constructive criticism and use it to improve upon future proposals.
Be persistent. Consider the grants that you do not receive as valuable practice and choose to learn from the experience.
Learn about the organization from which you seek funding.
If you do not qualify, do not apply.