How to Write a Grant for a Nonprofit Organization

Filling out and writing a grant application can be stressful work. A large grant can fund the activities for a nonprofit organization for months, if not years. Proper grammar, language skills and the ability to follow directions are just a few of the skills needed to properly fill out a grant application. With preparation and planning, you too can write successful grant proposals for your nonprofit organization.

Make notations of any information on the nonprofit organization that you will need to complete the report. Sometimes, numerical representations of services rendered need to be tabulated. Consult with other employees or volunteers to find the best answers to your queries.

Gather required documentation for the grant proposal. This usually consists of a grant application, a Form 990 (tax document) on the 501c-3 non profit organization, a copy of the organization's mission statement and vision, and any other requested documentation in the grant application.

Write your proposal, strictly following the guidelines found in Step 1. For help with writing, contact the grant administrator and ask if sample grant applications are available for research purposes.

Read over the grant application carefully. Take note of the date it is due and any required documentation. The application will list directions as to the length of the proposal, any formatting requests, and the number of copies of the proposal to submit. Follow the directions to the letter, many grant applications are thrown out due to errors in filling out the application correctly.

Give the proposal to a friend or co-worker to read over to make sure that you properly followed all instructions and completed the application correctly.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy