Grant Writing For Dummies, 5th Edition

Part IV

Writing to Win

Illustration by Ryan Sneed

You need data to help make the case for why your organization needs funds, but not just any data will do. Head to www.dummies.com/extras/grantwriting for a list of high-quality resources and other research pointers.

In this part. . .

• Pull together all the critical support documents — cover letters, abstracts, tables of contents, and more — to ensure you don’t forget any of the smaller yet relevant pieces of your grant application.
• Write about your organization’s background and capabilities in a way that presents your target population and programs or services offered in a clear, straightforward, and statistically framed manner.
• Make grant reviewers grasp the dire need of your organization by using statistics, case studies, and visuals to craft a compelling statement of need.
• Build a solid program design with goals and objectives that meet (and exceed!) the peer reviewer’s and program officer’s expectations. This section is the heart and soul of your grant application, so make it sing!
• Clarify who’s going to implement the project should it receive funding and how your organization plans to demonstrate accountability.
• Calculate the budget, making sure it matches the monies requested, dollar for dollar. Remember that every action ...