Stages of Grant Writing

Grant writing can be intimidating and daunting to the inexperienced person but for a professional Grant Writer Sydney it is a source of pride to write and win a grant.

Grant writing does require some specific writing skills but like any skill it can be learnt, honed and developed. When grant writing it is best to divide the process into several smaller more manageable stages and approach the grant writing process with organisation and commitment.

Stage number 1 – Read the grant opportunity

Although it may seem obvious the grant writer first needs to read the grant opportunity. Reading the grant program guidelines in detail and multiple times is imperative. The successful Grant Writer will tell you attention to detail is paramount in a winning grant application.

The Grant Writer is checking for eligibility – does the organisation applying for the grant meets the grant opportunity requirements to the letter? In addition, the professional grant writer is developing a checklist to ensure the grant application meets the expectations in the grant opportunity. What formatting expectations are involved? When is the deadline for submission? What evidence or documentation to support the application is required? 

Stage number 2 – Complete the application

Our Grant writer in Melbourne will complete a professionally written grant application that is simple and organised to read. It is important the grant writer avoid the use of technical jargon rather use concise and clear language that attracts the interest of the grant selection committee.

As part of the grant writing process the grant writer needs to definitively demonstrate that there is a match between the project or program and the funding aims of the grant opportunity then further establishes how the applicant organisation and their program or project will provide a better result or solution than everyone else who is competing for the grant.

To be successful the grant writer should include to clear goals, aims and objectives. The more clarity demonstrated by the grant writer for this component of the application the better chance the outcome will be favourable. 

Within the application the grant writer defines the aim or overarching goal of the organisation and demonstrates how the applicant will fill a need, product, or service in the community the goal should be a clear statement of what is to be accomplished using the requested funding. The objectives are the smaller strategies or steps that will enable the applicant organisation to achieve their goal.

The grant writer must persuasive and convincing in motivating the grant selection committee to select the applicant organisation to receive the grant funding – therefore the writing completed for the application process is critically important.

Stage number 3 – Submit the application.

The grant writer is aware that the grant application must be submitted prior to the deadline. A late grant submission is often automatically excluded from the selection process.

Stage number 4 – Receive the Grant.

The selection process is quite often a lengthy one – lasting up to several months. In the meanwhile, if the selection committee request further information or documents provide this as promptly as possible.

Stage number 5 – Report the Outcomes

When an organisation is successful in receiving grant funding there will be an expectation for evaluating and reporting the success of the project or program. Often the grant writer will include within the application process how the outcome will be determined. What will be the important performance indicators? How will success of the objectives and goals be measured?

Although there are definitive steps within the grant writing process the amount of time a grant writer spends on each one will depend on the parameters and expectations of each grant opportunity.