5 Ways to Improve Your Grant Application Writing

Whether you’re a seasoned grant application writer or someone who is new to the game, we can all improve our grant writing skills.  Competition for grant applications is at an all-time high, so you need to nail your grant application writing every time.  Want to improve your grant application writing skills for maximum success?  Here are our top five recommendations.  

1.  Separate Yourself From the Crowd
Chances are, your grant writing application is one of potentially hundreds of similar applications.  So, ask yourself, “Why should my organistaion receive this grant ahead of other organisations?”  If you think you can complete a project more quickly, then say so.  If you feel like your project has great community support, then round up some data that supports your assertion and get some prominent referees to back you up.  If you feel like you can deliver a project in a more cost-effective manner, then highlight this.  Do you think your grant application project will have a greater reach and impact? Explain how.  If you have a massive volunteer base, be sure to mention it.  What is it about you, that makes you distinct from every other organistion that is applying for the same grant?  Your grant application is all about reassuring your funding body that their contributions will be put to better use with you, than with all the rest.   

2. Start Viewing Grant Writing as Story Telling
Every good story-teller knows that when you have some issue or problem that needs resolving, you have the material for a great story.  The same is true for grant application writing.  Skillful grant application writers paint a picture of a problem or a need that stirs a passionate discontent in the grant reviewer that makes them want to open their wallet and give.  Tell a story about the need.  What problem will your grant application going to address? Why is it such a problem?  If you are a smart grant writer, you already know what areas of passion and interest the funding body has.  Focus on these areas.  A skillful grant application writer does such a good job of building the tension that you could picture a grant-reviewer leaning forward and yelling, “So what’s the answer?!”  Then, you hit them with the climax… your solution! You have the answer!  Explain your solution and how it addresses the problems and issues you have raised.  
3. Keep it Simple, Stupid!  
Sometimes, in an effort to sound authoritative, we can be tempted to use big words and complex technical jargon.  Sure, we all want to be taken seriously and be respected as a grant application writer, but using unnecessarily flowery language, won’t do that.  If your grant application reviewer has to use a thesaurus to understand what you’re saying, your application is more likely to end up in the bin.  No one cares about your attempts to bewilder your readers with your eloquent and boundless vocabulary.  The best grant applications are simple, straightforward and easily understood.  Period.  How do you do that?  Try a few of these ideas:
· Don’t use vague words and empty phrases – E.G.: nearly, almost, about, approximately or roughly
· Don’t use jargon, technical language, acronyms, or clichés
· Don’t use words you wouldn’t use in normal, everyday speech, meaning there is no need for a thesaurus
· Use short words, short sentences, and short paragraphs to help readers follow along and stay engaged
· Where possible, use charts and graphs to help explain your points – these also help break up text and make documents easier to read. They also communicate more powerfully
· Use headings and subheadings to break up huge blocks of text
· Don’t be overly formal. You should write conversationally while staying professional.

4. Proofread Your Grant Application to Death
I labour this point again and again to grant application writers, but it is literally the simplest way to improve your application. Nothing erodes your credibility faster than poor spelling, grammar and punctuation.  If you can’t be trusted to produce an error-free grant application, then why would an organisation give you their hard-earned money to use?

Sure, spending several hours doing careful proofreading might not be your idea of a good time.  Spelling, punctuation and grammar don’t come naturally to everyone.  But, when it comes to grant writing, it pays to pay someone to do it for you, especially if you don’t have the gift yourself.  In fact, getting someone to take a second look over your work makes perfect sense.  Chances are, if your grant proposal doesn’t make sense to your editor, then it won’t make sense to the funders. Get your work checked!  

5. Get Professional Help
It’s a fact.  Organisations that enlist the help of professional grant writing services win more grants. Red Tape Busters are specialist in grant and tender writing and can help your organisation or business win grant funding or achieve successes with tenders. Visit http://www.redtapebusters.com/  for more information. We are specialists in providing the following services:
· Lobbying;
· Tender Writing;
· Grant Writing;
· Resumes/Job Applications;
· Organisational/Business Development.

Please also “friend” or “like” us on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/RedTapeBustersShaneBowering, follow us on Twitter – Red Tape Busters or check us out on YouTube just search for Red Tape Busters.  

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