How to write a grant proposal - The best 8 tips


Before you start writing your grant proposal, you need to thoroughly prepare. You need to define your funding goals and project, estimate of your project cost, develop a comprehensive timeline of your project, and explore and source prospective grants.

Once you have all these things ready to go, it is time to write your grant proposal. The writing process of your grant proposal consists of the following steps:

1. Proposal summary

Your proposal summary should be two or three paragraphs that summarise the key points of the project. It should be detailed and specific. It is best to write this section last.

2. Introduction of your organisation

The introduction should include a list and biography of all key staff, your organisations successes and why your organisation should be selected for funding. Other must-haves are letters of recommendation, letters of support from community-based groups and feedback from the public.

3. Problem statement

Your problem statement becomes the purpose of the grant proposal. You use it to explain who will benefit from funding and how the solution to the problem will be implemented. This may take extensive research as to how and why the solution will succeed.

4. Project objectives

This section is essential to provide information on the desired outcomes and how the project success will be measured.  

5. Project design

This is where you demonstrate to the funding body that you possess the skills needed for project success. Also include what additional transport, facilities and support services are required by the project. Evidenced project management skills will build the funding body’s confidence in your abilities to deliver on the project.

6. Project evaluation

This section needs to cover your project evaluation and process evaluation, including the timeframe required for evaluation as well as who will do the evaluation. Ensure to add the cost of the evaluation phase of the project.

7. Future funding

If there are funding requirements that will go beyond the project or the ongoing maintenance, operational support or there are projected ongoing costs, this is the section of your grant proposal it goes. You will also need to factor in all financial factors including inflation, ongoing training, specialist skills, and potential future growth.

8. Project budget

You will need to provide full justification for how much money is required to deliver the desired project results. Ensure to include all expenses and that your budget is clear and accurate. The project budget section will be the meat of your grant proposal. An inaccurate budget can lose you a grant as it can be seen as profiteering or miss-management. This can adversely impact your standing with the funding body.

Do not fall into the trap of underquoting in the hopes of “hooking” in the funding body and then asking for additional funding at a later stage. This can be a dangerous game to play as funding may not come. You could also negatively affect your group or organisation’s brand, your community standing or your industry reputation.

Help is always available. A professional grant writer can help you to create a grant winning proposal. Red Tape Busters has a team of highly skilled grant writers waiting to help you navigate the grant process. With grant writer Sydney, grant writer Brisbane, grant writer Melbourne or grant writers anywhere across Australia, Red Tape Busters are here to help. 

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