Grant Application Best Practices

Master the art of grant applications with proven strategies, tips, and techniques to increase your success rate.

By Plinth Team

Grant Application Best Practices

Securing grant funding is increasingly competitive. This comprehensive guide provides proven strategies and best practices to help you craft compelling grant applications that stand out and succeed.

Executive Summary

Grant applications are your opportunity to tell your story and demonstrate why your project deserves funding. Success requires careful planning, clear communication, and attention to detail. This guide covers everything from initial research to post-submission follow-up.

Key Statistics

Organizations following these best practices see:

  • 3x higher success rates
  • 40% faster application completion
  • 25% more funding awarded
  • Better long-term funder relationships

Understanding the Grant Landscape

Types of Grants

Understanding different grant types helps you target the right opportunities:

  1. Government Grants

    • Federal, state, and local funding
    • Strict compliance requirements
    • Longer application processes
    • Stable, substantial funding

  2. Foundation Grants

    • Private and corporate foundations
    • Mission-aligned funding
    • Relationship-based approach
    • Varied application requirements

  3. Corporate Grants

    • CSR initiatives
    • Business alignment focus
    • Marketing opportunities
    • Shorter decision cycles

Eligibility Assessment

Before investing time in an application:

  • Carefully review eligibility criteria
  • Verify organizational qualifications
  • Check geographic restrictions
  • Confirm project alignment
  • Review funding history

Pre-Application Strategy

Research and Planning

Successful applications begin long before writing:

  1. Funder Research

    • Study the funder's mission and values
    • Review previously funded projects
    • Analyze funding trends
    • Identify decision makers

  2. Internal Preparation

    • Gather organizational documents
    • Update financial statements
    • Collect impact data
    • Prepare standard attachments

  3. Project Development

    • Define clear objectives
    • Develop measurable outcomes
    • Create realistic timelines
    • Build strong partnerships
Pro Tip

Start your research 6-12 months before the deadline. Building relationships with funders takes time but significantly improves success rates.

Writing a Compelling Application

Executive Summary

Your executive summary is often the only section fully read:

  • Lead with your strongest points
  • Clearly state the problem and solution
  • Highlight unique value proposition
  • Include specific funding request
  • Keep it under one page

Problem Statement

Effectively communicate the need:

  1. Use data and evidence

    • Current statistics
    • Research findings
    • Community assessments
    • Expert testimonials

  2. Tell human stories

    • Real beneficiary examples
    • Community voices
    • Visual elements
    • Emotional connection

  3. Show urgency

    • Time-sensitive factors
    • Growing need
    • Opportunity windows
    • Consequences of inaction

Project Description

Present your solution clearly:

  • Goals and Objectives

    • SMART framework application
    • Clear success metrics
    • Alignment with funder priorities
    • Measurable milestones

  • Methodology

    • Evidence-based approaches
    • Innovation elements
    • Risk mitigation
    • Quality assurance

  • Timeline

    • Realistic scheduling
    • Key milestones
    • Dependency management
    • Flexibility buffers