Resources & Tips
Grant Writing
Online Grant Resources
A Grant Seeker's Guide to the Internet
Grant information guide for nonprofit organizations.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)
Government-wide compendium of federal programs, projects, services and activities, which provides assistance to the American public.
Federal Information Exchange (FEDIX)
Free grant information for education and research organizations.
GrantsNet (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
Grant resources and other information for funding seekers.
Official Federal Government Web Sites of the Executive Branch
Library of Congress resources.
National Institution of Standards and Technology (NIST)
NIST Advance Technology Program website.
U.S. Nonprofit Gateway
Network of links to federal government information and services.
Society of Research Administrators
Resources and other information for funding seekers.
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Proposal Development Tips
- Get early alerts so that you have time to prepare applications
- Be extremely choosy about the grants you go after
- Follow the application instructions
- Use current agency language
- Use rules of writing that make your applications shine
- State funds are easier to win than Federal funds
- Best way to learn is to write a proposal
- Be realistic--someone must do the work
- If at first you don't succeed, try, try again
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Improve Your Writing
Know your audience.
Walk a mile in your audience's shoes.
Consider what will interest the reader.
Your audience rarely knows as much about your subject as you do.
Avoid using jargon or acronyms.
Know what you want to say.
Plan your message carefully.
Use succinct themes to communicate your message.
Follow an outline.
Use major heads and subheads to organize the material you plan to present.
Tell them what you're going to tell them, tell them, and then tell them what you told them.
Be clear and concise.
Don't use more words than are necessary.
Good writing means using words your audience will understand.
Keep it simple.
Use active voice.
Active voice is more powerful and easier to understand.
Say, "We serve 120 people…," not, "A total of 120 people were served…"
Be specific and vivid.
The most effective writing paints a picture in the mind of the reader.
Statistics are important, but it's more compelling when you put a face on the numbers.
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Proposal Budget Tips
- Assess the budget in relationship to the project objectives/activities and the RFP/RFA requirements.
- All project expenditures must be justified.
- Do not assume project costs will be obvious to reviewers.
- Always use the agency budget worksheets.
- Include budget narrative to provide detail and explanation.
- Be prepared to prioritize budget needs if the funding agency provides only partial support for the grant project.
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