Critical Thinking Skills Every Grant Professional Needs
Successful grant writing is more than just filling out applications—it's a strategic exercise in problem-solving, analysis, and crafting compelling narratives. To truly excel in grant writing, you need more than just the basics. You need strong critical thinking...
Eligibility & Completeness are Key
It’s easy to focus on crafting the perfect proposal—meticulous planning, well-articulated goals, and a flawless budget. But none of that matters if your application doesn’t meet the basic requirements or is missing key documents. Many grant proposals are rejected...
A Writing Refresher for Grant Pros: Composition Best Practices for Successful Proposals
Strong writing is essential to competitive grant proposals. Still, project design, outcomes, and budgets can rush the writing process, leaving even the strongest grant writers with a narrative with unintentional errors. Writing mistakes can lead to lower scores and...
Early Submission Wins
When it comes to submitting grant proposals, waiting until the last minute may seem like a time-saver, but in reality, it’s a risky move. Power outages, internet glitches, or even a last-minute discovery of an overlooked error can derail your submission plans. The...
Clarity Beats Complexity
When it comes to writing a grant proposal, simplicity isn’t just a good idea—it’s a winning strategy. It’s easy to think that using academic language or complex jargon will make your proposal sound more professional or impressive, but the truth is, clarity always...
Post-Award Reporting Can Last Years
Winning a grant is a major milestone, but the work doesn’t stop when the grant term ends. In fact, your responsibilities may extend for months—or even years—after the funding period concludes. Many funders require post-award reporting to track long-term outcomes,...
Grant Management Starts Early
Winning a grant is a huge accomplishment, but it’s only the beginning of a long journey. Too often, organizations make the mistake of thinking about grant management only after they’ve secured the funding. However, successful grant management doesn’t start the day the...
Strong Partnerships Increase Credibility
Strong Partnerships Increase Credibility When applying for grants, one of the most powerful ways to strengthen your proposal is by showcasing strong, collaborative partnerships. Funders are not just looking to invest in projects—they want to support initiatives that...
Funders Have Unspoken Expectations
When it comes to grant applications, most of us focus heavily on the Request for Proposal (RFP). After all, it’s the document that lays out the “official” requirements, outlining everything from eligibility criteria to budget guidelines. However, there's often more to...
Budgets Tell Stories
Budgets Tell Stories Your budget isn’t just a list of numbers—it's a powerful narrative that tells the story of your program, its goals, and your commitment to achieving them. Just like a well-crafted story, a budget should reflect the heart of your mission, guiding...