Follow directions

Read all of the guidelines and directions and be sure to include all of the information asked for, in the format requested.

Write in a simple, direct, and persuasive style

• Don’t assume that the reviewers know anything about your mission, community, or project unless you’ve told them in your application.
• Make sure your ideas are organized and easy to understand.
• Don’t use jargon or other special words that people outside of your field won’t know.
• Spell out abbreviations.
• Express your passion and excitement about your work or project.
• Have someone else proofread your proposal to correct any errors.

Do your homework

• Be able to explain why your project should be important to the funder and how it matches their grant guidelines.
• If others are doing similar work, explain what makes your work unique.

Be as specific as you can

• Use numbers, percentages, and other data.
• Don’t write: Last year, we served hundreds of developmentally disabled children. When you can write  last year, we served 1,235 individuals between the ages of 10 and 16, or more than 27% of all developmentally disabled young people in Brunswick, Bath, and Topsham.

Slick doesn’t count! Preparation does

A good proposal isn’t just fancy format, paper, or graphics. Good proposals are made of good ideas, lots of planning, and careful work.

Provide a strong and accurate budget

• Whenever possible, show that your project has other forms of support:
  • List other grants or sources of funding you have received or are trying to get.
  • Don’t forget to include in-kind support.
• Double-check your budget to be sure that it is correct and fully explained.

Tips for creating a strong Project Budget

• Involve financial managers or others with expertise, such as accountants.
• Ask for help if you need it.
• Make sure the numbers in your proposal and your budget agree.
• Use existing budgets as templates.
• Check your math!