How to Write a Winning Grant Proposal - Beginner’s Guide

If you’re a female entrepreneur that’s trying to get funded for your business, you probably already know how confusing, overwhelming and scary grant writing can be.

Ready to get started, but not sure where to begin? Wondering what a foundation really wants to hear in a proposal? Feeling self-conscious because your non-profit is relatively small, with limited experience writing grants? Here’s the thing: writing a grant is not about being perfect – it’s about being articulate, strategic and thoughtful.

Here are some grant writing secrets to get you funded and on your way to achieving your goals – regardless of your level of experience.

Understand What Grant Funders Are Really Looking For

Before you start to write your first grant you must understand what a funder cares about. This is one of the most common pitfalls in writing a good grant and often the biggest challenge for new writers of grants. The new writer typically believes that it is all about telling the funder about their idea or project. Unfortunately, the idea and the project do not amount to a thing if you cannot articulate its effect.

Funders are not just investing in your project—they’re investing in results. They want to know how your work will make a difference and who it will help.

Women entrepreneurship programs need to encourage women to recognize their grant-writing potential. As a female entrepreneur, this is where you can easily set yourself apart. Women generally are more focused on social mission and community impact which are the things that foundations look to support. We all need to learn how to describe these things so we can appeal to funders.

Start with a Strong and Clear Mission.

One of the largest grant writing secrets that we have learned over the years is clarity. If your mission statement is confusing and not concise, then your grant proposal most likely will be unclear as well.

Explaining your work and who you help can be one of the hardest challenges that solo professionals and small business owners face. However, in order to communicate your unique value to potential customers and to write compelling marketing materials, you have to be able to articulate your contribution, your clients and its significance in under 50 words. So, put aside whatever you are doing and take a moment to write a concise and simple statement about yourself and what you offer.

A good mission statement can make your proposal easier to read and can give a potential funder the sense that they have an understanding of your organization right away, which can create a level of trust in your proposal. This trust can help a funder to agree with your proposal and decide to fund you.

Focus on Impact, Not Just Ideas

Ideas are important, but impact is what truly matters. Having a great idea is not enough.

In your grant proposal, focus on the impact that your work will have. Instead of describing what you want to do, explain what will happen as a result.

Instead of just listing the functions of your project, tell us how it will make a difference in society. The more details you share about how it will impact society, the more compelling your proposal will be.

Keep Your Grant Writing Simple and Direct

One of the biggest misconceptions that new grant writers have is that they have to be wordy, use big words, and sound like a professional, especially if they are writing to foundations or governmental institutions. The truth is that being simple and straightforward is the best way to write a successful grant.

Using clear and direct language makes it easy for funders to quickly and easily understand your message. Keep your language human and avoid jargon or over-explaining, especially for brevity and professionalism.

You don’t use big words to impress. You use words to communicate value.

Do Your Research Before Applying

Not every grant is right for your nonprofit or business. Following is one of our key tips for writing a grant that will be approved. Research carefully before applying.

Look for grants that match your mission, purpose, target population, or goals. There is a much greater chance that you will be competitive and thereby receive funding for your organization.

Applying to only a few of the right openings is often much more valuable than applying to a large number of less desirable openings.

Tell a Story That Connects

Story is the most powerful element in any grant proposal. The reason there is a non-profit or a business is a story and this story is what gives your application life.

As a women entrepreneur you have an unparalleled opportunity to bring a perspective and narrative that can captivate and inspire. What makes you want to propose to us? What’s your motivation? What’s your story?

Philanthropists have to read a lot of proposals for funding. Those that shine through are ones that seem authentic, personable and most importantly, a true reflection of the human issues that the organizations aim to address.

Show That You Have a Clear Plan

Funders want to make sure that you are not just being idealistic but that you are well-organized and prepared.

Make sure that your proposal clearly describes what you will do with the funds awarded and what you will do to carry out the activities proposed. Your plan does not have to be complex or elaborate in detail but rather sound and feasible.

This shows the employer that you are reliable and responsible in your work.

Don’t Be Afraid to Start Small

One of the reasons female business owners do not try and get funding for their businesses is that they feel they are not ready or not qualified.

No large organization or years of experience is required. Many grants are available for people with no prior experience, or for small projects or organizations.

Keep it small. Start small. Learn from small. Every application you write makes you a better programmer.

Build Confidence Through Practice

Grant writing is a skill—and like any skill, it improves with practice.

Your first proposal won’t be perfect – and that’s OK. What is important is that you have a go. The more you write, the better and more confident you will become.

Rejection is part of the equation too. Instead of viewing rejection as an “evil” or negative thing, try and see it in a different light. View rejection as the feedback that you can receive to help you learn and grow, rather than as a failure.

Position Yourself as a Leader

One of the easiest things to forget when it comes to writing a grant is that it is all about you. I am not talking about the project; I am talking about the person. Grant reviewers want to know that whoever is writing this grant actually agrees with their goals and actually thinks the world needs to change in the same way that the funder does.

This episode is for all the women entrepreneurs! Becoming a woman entrepreneur takes a lot of courage, confidence, faith, and more so responsibility and as women we should all own this role regardless of our business phase.

You don’t have to be perfect; all you have to do is show that you care and that you will take action.

Final Thoughts: You Can Get Funded

Grant writing may seem like a daunting process, but it is entirely trainable.

First and foremost, you need to consider clarity, impact and consistency. But also remember, as a female entrepreneur you bring a whole host of expertise and experience to the table.

Every successful founder had to start somewhere. Your start and my start are simply that everyone has to begin. The difference is that founders actually start — they take that first step and then keep moving forward.

If you want to get funded, don’t wait until you feel like you’ve done enough work or until your proposal is “perfect.” Just start writing, keep iterating and you’ll be surprised at the return on effort.