You know you have a great agency that truly helps your clients and the community. You know there are funders that want to support programs like yours. But, you also know there is fierce competition, and resources are limited, so you need to make your grant proposals shine. Here are seven mistakes you’ll want to avoid to create the best proposals possible:

Mistake #1 – Not Following Instructions

One key to creating an effective grant proposal is to follow each funder’s instructions as closely as possible. Often, they will provide checklists of narrative information and attachments needed. Use these lists, or create your own based on the information provided by each funder, to guide yourself through the process.

Mistake #2 – Procrastination

Grant proposals are complex documents that often require a variety of components (e.g. narrative, budget, attachments). Leave plenty of time to collect the information you need, draft and revise the proposal, make copies, and deliver your proposal to the funder. Rushing around at the last minute will only result in errors.

Mistake #3 – Ignoring a Promotional Opportunity

Make your proposal both factual and promotional. Use sections from the marketing copy on your website, or lines from your promotional video. But, don’t replace substance with fluff; be sure all the funder’s questions are answered as well.

Mistake #4 – Overdependence on Statistics

Use (but do not overuse) statistics to illustrate your agency’s accomplishments. DON’T overwhelm the reader with numbers and figures. DO sprinkle them throughout your narrative to augment your message. And, of course, use statistics when they are specifically requested.

Mistake #5 – Overdependence on One Funding Source

Funders like to see that they are not the sole source of support for your agency or project. Emphasize community support and involvement, and get testimonials or letters of intent from community partners. Include information about funding from other sources as well.

Mistake #6 – Failure to Paint a Picture

Paint a picture of how your clients benefit by using a case study. Each client’s story is a microcosm of how your agency contributes. Alternatively, paint a picture of how your clients would be affected if your agency did not exist. The value you offer will stand out more when you contrast it with the alternative.

Mistake #7 – Not Focusing on Outcomes

You can talk all day about how great your program is and all the things it does, but the real question is, “What problem do you solve for your clients, and for the community?” A concrete, quantifiable answer to that question should appear somewhere in your proposal. For example, an agency that helps with housing could say, “We assist the homeless.” A more specific (and, therefore, better) statement would be, “Last year, we helped 100 homeless families find homes, reducing the community services burden on taxpayers by 10%.”

What are some of your best grant writing strategies? Please share in the comments.

About the Author: Karen Marcus, M.A. is a Northern Colorado copywriter who has been helping clients in a wide range of industries to put their best word forward for 13 years.

Need assistance with grant writing? Karen can help! Click here for contact info.