How to Write a Successful Grant Application
(Part 2)

In Part I of this help sheet we talked about how to find the right grants program for your group, what funding agencies usually look for in a grant application and what sort of elements your application should contain.

Now it's time to think in more depth about your application strategy.

Do your research

Make sure you do some careful research about the funding body you are applying to. Read their annual reports and get on their website and see what their priorities are, who they have funded before, and why, and how much. If possible, make an appointment to discuss your application with them before you submit your application. Don't hesitate to ask questions.

Making your case

We have already emphasised how important it is to think broadly about the full range of grants categories you might be able to fit into. Now you have to make sure you can sell these connections to the grantmakers.

The thing you must remember at all costs is that the people you're asking for money probably have little interest in your central goal - the game you love, say, or whatever other services or cause your organisation was set up to provide or work for. What they are into is your common interests, which is why there may be money in it, but these common interests - where your aims and theirs overlap - may make up a fairly small part of your own core enterprise. You must target your application at that small part only.

You have to be able to stand in the grantmaker's shoes and really understand what it is that they want. They want to be able to give away money to people who can talk their language and can promise measurable results.

Consultation

If you're claiming that your activities benefit the community, then you need to get the community to say so. Compliments always sound better coming from somebody else.

• Get the support of other groups
• Hold a public meeting and ask for opinions
• Sign up partners
• Lobby for support from local councils and politicians and other community leaders

Most grantmakers will take more notice of a good proposal than letters of support but if there are two projects that can't be separated on merit and yours has a demonstrated wider community backing, it could make the difference.

Reliability

You have to be able to show that you'll contribute to the grantmaker's goals as well as your own. Once you've promised to do something, you must be sure that you do it - and that you can demonstrate you've done it.

You will need to plan the stages of implementing the grant and document the performance of each stage. The plan will need to include an evaluation, so that you can prove that the grant money has achieved the aims of the grantmaking body and that they should give you some more. Keep in constant contact with the grantmaking body so they know what you are doing.

Make it easy on them

You need to make it as easy as possible for the funding body to understand who you are and what you want to achieve - and how they can help. Don't pad your application with purple prose and useless information. Make sure you can back up your claims.

Make your application enjoyable to read; be innovative and creative in your presentation. Make it stand out.

Passion and enthusiasm are contagious so make sure you ensure your belief in your organisation and project shines through in your application.

The golden secret

The single biggest secret to having your grant application considered is to make sure you follow the guidelines. If your organisation is not eligible, don't apply. If the guidelines say to include a copy of your constitution, make sure it's provided. If they ask for a one-page application, don't provide three.

While it might sound obvious, most people would be amazed at how many grantseekers miss out because they haven't followed the guidelines correctly. Remember, grantseeking is a competitive process. Don't give the funders any reason at all to put someone else's application ahead of yours.

Keep your eye on the end goal

This may all sound like an incredible amount of work - however, the pain will soon be forgotten if and when the cheque arrives.

The other point to remember is that much of the work you put in now will save you work later - many of the aspects of a grants program are common to all or most granting programs so you can re-use the information you have collected about your group for other applications (but remember the second golden rule: make sure you adapt each individual application - grantmakers do not look kindly on obvious form letters).

And the third golden rule is don't give up and don't take knock-backs personally. Learn from your unsuccessful applications and use this knowledge to improve on your chances in the future. As with most things in life, the more you do it, the easier it will become.