10 Ways to Strengthen Your Grants Program in 2025

Given our focus on foundation grants, most of Candid’s budget resources are for proposal budgets. The value of donations should be calculated in the total program budget and then indicated in the other funding column. Value should be based on what you would actually pay in your community for that item if you had to pay cash for it. In this section, also describe who else will be supporting the program.

Can fake empathy, it does not have emotions, nor does it understand them. Putting passion and emotional appeal into grant proposals is best left to humans. Drafts to your organization by having the relevant tool draw only on your nonprofit’s branding, strategic plan, previous proposals, and other internal documents. But be cautious about sharing internal proprietary data with an A.I. Platform that doesn’t belong to your organization, because on a public platform, private data becomes public property, even if anonymized. The most comprehensive collection of grant samples may be atGrants Space by Candid.

• Where appropriate, indicate the base salary and the method used to arrive at the requested amount.
• Creating a robust budget plan requires a thorough understanding of its key components.
• “I have to understand it, be able to massage it, and get it all down,” she says.

Collaborating with Relevant Stakeholders to Ensure Accuracy and Feasibility

Pick a Tool to Use – The first thing you’ll need to figure out is which tool the funder wants you to use. Check to see if they ask for a specific format or if they provide a template. If not, you can choose the format you want and create it however you see fit. One of the most critical yet most neglected parts of a successful grant is the budget.

Plan for Sustainability from Day One

Your investigation should cover their values, the specific outcomes they seek, and the types of projects they have historically supported. Most of us end up becoming grant writers because our communities and nonprofits need us. Grant attachments—from 990s to budgets to board lists—should be the EASIEST part of the grant writing and submission process.

Pro Tip: Don’t assume you will be able to secure additional funding though!

• Nonprofits are often required to be 501 organizations under the IRS.
• Include the fair market value of what it would have cost as well so you can keep donors and grantors in the loop.
• The benefit of outsourcing grant writing to a professional is that you don’t have to choose.
• By presenting a well-thought-out budget, you not only increase your chances of securing funding but also lay the groundwork for effective project implementation and evaluation.
• Include details such as the number of participants, locations, and expected outcomes from these engagements.
• By understanding these stages and preparing accordingly, you can significantly enhance your chances of success in securing funding.

If you’re wondering how much it costs to hire a top grant pro, check out our comprehensive grant writing fee guide. For example, program officers will be looking for the metrics they’re going to show their board to prove their grantmaking is having an impact. Foundations may ask you for theories of change and logic models and the number of people served.

Control Your Costs Wherever Possible

That’s why our second grant writing tip is to focus FIRST on solid program or project design. Between federal grant freezes and new AI tools, writing GREAT grant proposals is more important than ever. Sometimes funders may ask you to be more specific in the narratives about exactly what the grant is paying for. In this case, you can tell them how much of the grant is being used for mulch and how much is being used for plants. By thoroughly justifying each budget item, you not only strengthen your proposal but also build trust with funders by demonstrating transparency and accountability.

You’ll want to address your letter to a particular person, briefly state what your proposal asks for, and summarize your program. Keep in mind that this will be your first opportunity to connect with the people who can fund your grant. Consider this section of the proposal as a resume for your organization – your goal is to impress the reader with the organization’s credibility and qualifications. At a minimum, it will take three or four hours, over several days, to develop the project budget unless the grant is for one item. Provides a nonprofit budget template as well as a how-to video for filling out the template.

Some funders may have specific geographic restrictions or focus areas that could disqualify your organization from consideration. Additionally, consider how different funding sources can address various aspects of your financial needs. Some grants may be more suited for specific projects, while others might provide general operating support. Each type of grant comes with its own set of guidelines, eligibility criteria, and application procedures. Therefore, it is essential to read the grant announcements thoroughly and understand what the funders are looking for in a proposal. Moreover, the grant application process typically involves several stages, including pre-application research, proposal writing, submission, and follow-up.

By the way, funders providing you with their own budget tool don’t use the same one as the next funder. When you’re prepared with both, it’s easy to give each funder what they want. Because funders appreciate transparency and seeing the big picture and your program/project budget should give them enough information to understand what you’re trying to do. By clearly identifying and prioritizing your financial needs, you can tailor your grant applications more effectively.

Places to Find Grants for Your Nonprofit for FREE!

I’ve seen too many Excel sheets where the formula didn’t include all necessary cells, throwing the total off.

Don’t make these common mistakes.Proposals are often too long, veteran grant writers say. Even if a section in a proposal template has a limit of 500 words, the foundation’s program officer will be grateful to the applicant who makes their case in 350. With millions of grants being submitted every year, you can increase your chances of getting your share by including fully developed grant budgets that tell the story of your grant in numbers. Other Costs—List items (e.g., rent, reproduction, telephone, janitorial or security services, investigative or confidential funds) by major type and show how you calculated the costs. This self-paced online course, built on years of experience winning 8 tips to strengthen your grant budget grants from government, corporate, and foundation funders, goes far beyond budgeting.

Define who does what in your grant process—research, writing, approvals, reporting—and use a shared system to keep things moving. Someone who hasn’t been involved in the development process might spot gaps or raise questions you hadn’t considered. Explore OpenGrants and start your journey to funding success today. Effective collaboration requires more than a handshake; it demands clear agreements, defined roles, and a shared vision. The goal is to create genuine partnerships where each entity contributes unique value and is integral to the project’s success.