Grant Writing Isn't Difficult; It's Simply Detail-Oriented

Nonprofits operate with the help of a variety of different funding sources, including government and private grants. Applying for a grant is a detailed process that clearly helps the funding agency identify whom the organization requesting the grant is, what it is that they offer the public, who they actually serve, and how the agency plans to spend any monies awarded to them. Often, this process appears daunting if the person completing the process has never applied for a grant before.

However, once a source of funding has been identified, learning how to apply for a grant isn't all that difficult. The process usually begins with submitting a Letter of Intent (LOI), which is also sometimes referred to as a Request for Funding Proposal (RFP). This stage of the application process helps the funding source weed out prospective applicants according to whether or not they meet the criteria needed to actually graduate to the next phase of submitting an actual grant application. Without completing such a LOI or RFP, most funders will not allow an organization to submit a full grant request. This initial letter also briefly introduces the actual program that the funds will be used for and helps to explain the problem, or need, the program plans to address if funds are granted.

Once the LOI or RFP is officially approved, the non-profit organization is then permitted access to the next stage in the process and is instructed to offer a full grant package by a strict deadline. This package is the main segment of the grant and must be completed in a precise format and often on specific forms. Failure to follow the directions regarding the required format or failure to write the proposal on the forms provided is grounds for an automatic denial.

The overall grant package requires that a series of questions about the organization and its programs be directly and thoroughly addressed. These questions include, but are not limited to, a detailed description of the organization, its history, a description of all of the programs they offer, disclosing the organization's other funding sources, disclosing who their collaborators are, why funds are needed, demographic details about who the group or organization plans to serve if funded, how the services will be administered, the precise number of employees or volunteers that will be used to administer the program, the experience and education of these employees, and a meticulous proposed budget detailing how funds will be spent. The funding source will also require the organization to detail the expected outcome or impact from the program in question, how these outcomes will be measured, and how the group or organization intends to fund the program in the future after the initial grant period ends.

Learning how to apply for or write a grant is not as difficult as it is detail oriented. A special writer isn't needed although some do prefer to hire someone with experience in this arena. Whether written by a staff member, a volunteer or a paid grant writer, the person must follow exact instructions and adhere to all deadlines. Of course, correct spelling grammar, punctuation; and persuasive writing are equally important in grant writing, as is having a passionate understanding of the needs of the population the funded program intends to provide services to. Anyone able to meet these writing criteria can also learn how to write a good grant.