Grant Writing Tips For Nonprofits For Guaranteed Funding Success

Getting grant writing tips for nonprofits is a game-changer, especially for nonprofit leaders who feel overwhelmed with the grant writing application process. Navigating eligibility criteria and writing a compelling proposal can be incredibly overwhelming, on top of tracking deadlines. Nonprofit organizations’ resources are already stretched thin, and no one understands this better than The Write Direction.

That’s why for this blog, we’ll walk you through the essential steps of grant writing. This blog will discuss how to write a strong grant application, how to create a persuasive funding proposal, and the basics of grant writing 101. With the seasoned writers of The Write Direction to guide you, it won’t matter if you’re just new to the process or if you’re not a professional grant writer. You’re sure to gain some actionable strategies that will boost your chances of securing grants for nonprofits. 

As professionals in the business writing industry, we will share best practices taken from real-world experiences. We always adhere to professional writing standards and will help you so you can confidently approach your next funding opportunity.

How To Write Grant Applications

Grant writing is a much more sophisticated process than simply filling out federal forms. It’s a way to tell your organization’s unique story. When written well, it will successfully tug at a funder’s heartstrings. One of the best grant writing tips for nonprofits is emphasizing how the mission follows the clear, strategic, and aligned guidelines of the application. If you want to learn how to write grant applications that stand out, here’s where you can start.

1. Read and familiarize yourself with the guidelines
   
   Each funding agency or foundation will have requirements unique to it. Whether it’s a word count minimum, formatting specifics, to eligibility. Before writing, make sure you’re understanding the grant guidelines. Have a checklist prepared of documents that are required, submission deadlines, and evaluation criteria. Not following guidelines, no matter how minor, can lead to disqualification, so always be extra cautious.
2. Align your organization’s mission with the funder’s goals
   
   Many nonprofits miss the mark in aligning their mission with the goals of the funding agency. The narrative of your applications should show how your proposed program can advance the funder’s objectives. Tailor the messaging to them and use their language. For example, if a funding agency’s mission is to promote equitable access to education, use that specific phrase in the application. With this approach, it personalizes the application and shows how well you’ve researched the funding agency.
3. Use a compelling and clear writing style
   
   The narrative of your grant application should contain a balance of emotion and evidence. Through storytelling, paint a picture of how impactful your program can be by backing it up with relevant data. For example, use statistics to demonstrate the impact you’ve already made in the community. Instead of just saying, “We help students”, rephrase by saying, “In 2024, our program increased graduation rates by 20% among first-generation students in Detroit.”

The Write Direction’s professional, business, and technical writing services all follow frameworks like ABC (Accuracy, Brevity, Clarity) and are written by professionals in the industry. We don’t use templates, and all our writing solutions are custom to the needs of our clients!

If you want more thorough information on grants and grant writing, check out The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s resources.

1. Create a Powerful Executive Summary
   
   This section is the so-called “elevator pitch”. In just a few short paragraphs, you should be able to introduce the organization efficiently. This includes who you are, what the request is, why it matters, and how it fits the goals of the funding agency. Keep the grant proposal concise but high-value. This section is critical because it can make or break whether readers will continue reading. A professional writing tip is to leave writing this section last. It’ll be easier to summarize the proposal when the draft is completed.
2. Define Clear Goals and Measurable Outcomes
   
   Funding agencies look for accountability and responsibility. This can be shown by using the SMART goals framework and by defining your objectives.
   • Specific: What will the project accomplish?
   • Measurable: How will the nonprofit track the program’s success?
   • Achievable: How realistic is the program given the nonprofit’s resources?
   • Relevant: How does the program align with the nonprofit’s mission and the funder’s goals?
   • Time-bound: What’s the timeline for the program’s completion?
3. Design a Detailed Budget and JustificationThis section is arguably where most nonprofits struggle, and this is also the most vital part of a grant proposal. If there are multiple costs, make sure to itemize and explain why they are necessary. Don’t be vague with costs and be explicit about the breakdown. For example, don’t just list $10,000 for “program costs”; instead, break the 10,000 down for educational materials, facilitator fees, outreach, transportation, etc.

Grant Writing 101: Best Practices for Nonprofit Success

To get started or refine your current strategy, our Grant Writing 101 guide will cover some of the foundational habits that every nonprofit organization should know. These best practices, when applied, will help nonprofits build a successful system they can keep repeating for future funding opportunities. 

1. Create a Grant Calendar
   
   Avoid scrambling by being a proactive planner. Building a grant calendar means being able to track the following:
   • Application deadlines
   • Notification dates
   • Reporting periods
   • Renewal cyclesBy using tools like Trello or Google Calendar, nonprofits can organize their processes and set reminders. This will help keep them accountable and avoid last-minute submissions that might not be of the best quality.
2. Develop a Grant Template LibraryTake advantage of available and reusable content libraries to further streamline your processes. This will save you time and ensure consistency in tone and branding across various proposals.
3. Strengthen Your Evaluation StrategyFunding agencies will want to know how you will measure the success of a program, so make sure you incorporate logic models or KPIs (key performance indicators) into the proposal. When you show how impactful your programs have been, it increases credibility, and your chances of securing funding exponentially increase.
4. Partner With an Experienced Grant WriterSometimes, grant opportunities may come, and you can be overwhelmed or simply be short on time. For these instances, consider hiring a professional grant writer, especially one who understands the nuances of your specific sector. A good grant writer can boost your win rate even for complex or competitive funding sources.

At The Write Direction, we offer specialized writing services tailored to nonprofits. With our grant writing support, we can organize and craft strategic, funder-aligned proposals with professionalism and clarity. For more grant-related resources, check out our past blog on Writing Policies for Nonprofit Organizations: A How-to.

No matter if you’re applying for local funding or national opportunities, these grant writing tips for nonprofits will help build a sustainable and scalable pipeline.