Strategies for Writing Winning Grants

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• Writing a successful grant can be a difficult
  undertaking, especially if you are not an
  experienced grant writer.
• Whether you are just starting out or have been
  grant writing for years, you have no doubt read
  quite a few articles about how to be a successful
  grant writer.
• However, in this article, were going to look
  beyond the usual grant writing tips to some of
  the lesser-known strategies for elevating your
  grant writing levels beyond the norm.

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• When we consider that every grant application
  will have grant writers of varying experience
  levels all vying for the same funding, you will
  need a few winning strategies such as these up
  your sleeve to stand out from the crowd.

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Research Beyond the Obvious

• Finding funding to support a project or
  organisation requires research and hard work, but
  it also takes creativity and dedication to stand
  out from other applicants.
• To increase their chances of success, grant
  writers should look beyond the obvious when
  researching potential grants and use strategies
  to ensure their application stands out.
• When starting the research process, grant writers
  should think creatively outside of the box.
• They should consider all areas of potential
  fundraising such as corporate sponsorships and
  foundation grants that could provide larger
  amounts of funds than government or individual
  donors might offer.

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• Grant writers should also avoid limiting
  themselves to local opportunities. State or
  National grants can provide more substantial
  donations and reach new audiences for
  organisations pursuing bigger projects or goals.
• Yet, beyond the process of simply researching to
  find suitable grants, there is another vital area
  where research will help you achieve grant
  writing success.
• Grant writing applications will be considerably
  strengthened when you can cite research that
  supports the goals of the project or organisation.

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• Given it can take quite some time to accumulate
  quality research material, it is worthwhile for
  organisations to maintain a library of reference
  material that can support different grant
  applications.
• Finally, the grant writer should ensure any
  research cited is current and valid in terms of
  region and demographic factors, as well as
  aligning to the objectives of the grant
  application at hand.

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Align Your Goals to Funders

• For grant writers looking to secure grants for
  their organisation, there is no better way to
  start than by aligning your goals with potential
  funders.
• Grant writers usually take the time to analyse
  what kind of projects each funder is interested
  in supporting and to ensure their project meets
  funder's criteria, however it is even more vital
  to ensure you highlight this alignment of goals
  in your application.
• First, try to find out as much as possible about
  the funder's mission statement, areas they
  prioritise funding in, past recipients they have
  supported, etc.

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• This information can be invaluable when crafting
  your proposal, so it resonates with what the
  funder is looking for.
• Second, pay close attention to any guidelines or
  individual goals and objectives listed by
  potential funders and tailor sections of your
  proposal accordingly, using matching language and
  terminology so that you connect with evaluators
  at their level.
• By taking these steps, youll erase many doubts
  and questions in funders minds about whether your
  project is a good fit for their funding and
  increase your success potential.

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Sell the Bigger Picture

• When writing a proposal, it is important for
  grant writers to think beyond individual programs
  or activities.
• Too often, organisations present their project as
  a pressing need that focusses on the benefits
  only for their own members.
• However, grant writers really should be focusses
  on addressing questions such as how their work
  will create lasting change.

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• This can be at a community, regional or national
  level or all of these.
• For example, if your organisation seeks funding
  for a new program that offers educational
  opportunities to disadvantaged youth, illustrate
  why this program is necessary in relation to
  broader initiatives like economic development, or
  social justice reform.
• Looking further, you might mention how providing
  more opportunities for our youth to be successful
  contributes to reduced crime and suicide rates
  and decreases the strain on mental health
  resources.

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• To give your grant writing a winning edge, you
  want to craft a narrative that sells the ripple
  effect where benefits are felt well beyond your
  organisation alone.
• Tying this into the organisation's vision and
  mission will highlight to funders that you have
  always seen the bigger issues that drive your
  purpose.
• Draw parallels to your research material for
  further impact and mostly importantly, weave it
  all together in your narrative with what
  motivates funders by showing an understanding of
  the larger conversations on issues they care
  about.
• Knowing how to effectively sell this bigger
  picture can help grant writers craft more
  compelling narratives and secure larger grants.

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Remember the Basics, then Strategically Elevate

• The majority of grant writers understand the
  basic components of effective grant writing such
  as researching potential funding sources,
  developing clear goals and objectives, creating a
  detailed budget, outlining the project design and
  timeline, preparing supporting documents and
  submitting the application to potential funders.
• Additionally, grant writers also acknowledge they
  must demonstrate their organisation's mission and
  track record to create a persuasive case for
  funding.

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• However, to be even more successful as a grant
  writer and elevate your success, you need to
  adopt an arsenal of winning strategies to stand
  out from the grant writing crowd.
• Firstly, be sure to research beyond the obvious
  to justify the project and its impact. Secondly,
  always make sure to align your goals to the
  funders priorities.
• Thirdly, dont forget to sell the bigger picture
  and explain why this project matters. By adopting
  the key strategies mentioned in this article will
  greatly increase your funding chances.

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