How Can I Increase My Chances of Getting a Grant?
There are several ways to improve your proposal and make it stand out from the crowd. This article will give you the tools to begin the process. It includes benchmarking, identifying funders and writing a compelling proposal. Here are some deal-breakers you should avoid.
Benchmarking
Benchmarking is critical for the successful application of grants, as many nonprofits think that this strategy is only for the corporate world. This practice is essential for grant writing, monitoring and evaluation. Nonprofits can also use benchmarking to help identify gaps in programs and services. Benchmarking can be an effective way to identify areas for improvement using open data and publicly available data.

Identifying funders
One of the most important steps in identifying funders is to know their specific funding needs and interests. Many private foundations offer access to grant databases and lists that can be used to find funding opportunities based on your expertise and career stage. Many require letters of support from partners. It is important to take the time and understand what these partnerships mean. Funders want to know the importance of your partners to your project and how they can assist you in achieving your research goals.
Writing a strong proposal
A good proposal tells an story. It inspires and tugs at the heart strings of the reader. If your proposal grabs attention and makes the reader want to know more, it’s more likely you’ll be allowed to read the rest. It is important to avoid making a lengthy, complicated proposal. This will only frustrate grant makers and make them reconsider approving your application.
Avoiding deal-breakers
A proposal that contains spelling and grammatical errors casts doubt on the research of the applicant. In addition, key words are essential to indexing and search engines, so be careful not to miss any. Ball tagged one proposal using the word “women,” resulting in an unqualified reviewer who is not experienced in gender studies or sociology. Avoid this trap by applying early and ensuring that your proposal aligns with the funder’s interests.
Developing a relationship with a funder
Develop a rapport with the funder by asking intelligent questions about your organization, industry, and mission. To ensure that you provide accurate and thoughtful responses, pay attention to the questions. According to The Gottmans pre-application is only the beginning of your relationship. Depending on the funder’s preferences, they might ask you for additional documentation or questions. Some will also request regular updates, which can help you highlight your eligibility and success in your application.