Grants are the lifeblood of the Not for Profit sector, and the preparation of grant applications can be daunting and labour intensive.  No one has the time to waste, or the funding to risk, so with a few simple tips and tricks can help your application process be be less stressful and the outcomes more successful.

Make time – Grant application writing requires time and attention and if you don’t have the resources or you find out about the deadline with insufficient lead time then don’t attempt the application. 7 days preparation is generally the minimum required for a successful application.

The real message is to be prepared, stay on top of all opportunities and have your appendices and additional resources ready if an opportunity arises.

Be clear – The temptation to use too many words is strong, but not helpful.  Chances are there will be plenty more applications to read than there are grants to allocate, so brevity is important if you want to stand out from the pile whilst still getting the message across.  Many applications or questions will have word limits, so making every word count is essential and there is always the risk of disqualification if these are ignored.  Less is sometimes best.

Partner up – If you can demonstrate that your project has a wider impact as a result of partnerships it adds weight and impact to your application. The ability to demonstrate how the community and general public can contribute or be involved is crucial to many grant applications and long term partnerships and connections well after the funding has been expended is well regarded.  This is of particular importance in regional areas where resource sharing across similar organisations is even more important.  But be careful, make sure you undertake sufficient due diligence if the partnerships are with lesser known organisations to ensure the connection adds integrity and strength and does not detract from your own project or team.

Be credible – The funder wants to be sure you are not only going to run an appropriate project but that you can manage the funds well and offer value for money. Expect to provide copies of your constitution, annual reports, strategic plans and financial reports.  If you have the opportunity to share results of previous grant applications and any successes over and above expectations this will also be of assistance.  References, reports, testimonials or awards, are also helpful, so attach copies in appendices if the application allows.

Stay fresh – Once your application is complete ensure fresh eyes read and review the submission against the criteria and requirements. Ideally this should be someone who has not been involved in the process and does not know the ins and outs of the project or the grant. Sometimes we write with a level of expected knowledge meaning important details can be inadvertently omitted. If someone removed from the process has questions or concerns that you can easily address this could be the edge your application needs to stand out and be successful.

Finally, follow all of the guidelines and submit the application as per the requirements and before the closing date.  If the funder requires multiple copies or in a certain format or font, give them what they want.  When the money hits your bank account and the project commences it will all be worth every minute of attention and small detail.