Expert advice on writing a grant application.

Tips on writing great grant applications

You've got an idea for a project to protect or enhance watersheds and salmon and you want to apply for a grant. There are lots of funding sources out there, but competition is tough. Here are some questions and ideas that can help give your proposal the best shot at success.

Have you thought your project through?

Spend some time thinking your project through first. Are you going to need permits? Are you going to need expert assistance? Get commitments for the help you need in advance and note in your application that you have done so. Talk to people who have done similar projects. Did they run into snags that you can avoid?

Do your research!

Scientific data can help you and funders prioritize your efforts. Show that your project is effective and needed, based on reliable information. Look for technical reports and basin plans from local agencies, watershed councils, fish enhancement groups, or conservation districts. Point out how your project complements other efforts and fits into the larger picture.

Have you found the right funder for your project?

Read the funder's material -- make sure what you want to do is what they want to fund. Some grantors require a project in a certain geographic area or non-profit status. Get a list of projects funders have supported in the past -- a good indicator of what they will fund in the future. Foundations, corporations, state, local and federal governments all offer grants, but they have a variety of requirements and goals for the projects they fund. Find a grant source whose criteria fit the size and nature of your project.

Can you do a good job on the application?

Grant applications vary widely -- from a one page summary to a thick document with multiple forms and supplemental documents. Some funders leave you to structure your own proposal; others ask that you fill out forms they provide. Before you get started, look carefully at what you will need to do and make a realistic assessment of your resources. Find a funding source that is appropriate for the size of your project -- with an application you can do well in the time you have.

Take time and care with the actual writing itself!

Funders read a lot of proposals. Make sure yours stands out for its clarity and brevity. Be specific and don't use jargon. Respond to the questions the application asks, rather than the questions you want to answer. Read your proposal from their point of view. Is it easy to understand? Use action words, short sentences and leave lots of white space. Read it out loud and double check for accuracy. Make sure you've answered these questions:

What is your grant going to do?

What is your goal? Is it realistic? Meaningful? Measurable? How will the grant project meet that goal? What will be the benefits of your project for the broader community? The more concrete benefits, the better.

Who are you?

Describe your organization, its mission, its members and who it serves. Describe your previous successes and show how those experiences will benefit this project.

And who else is involved?

Grantors love collaborations, especially between unlikely allies. If you're going to do a streamside planting, involve a range of people -- seniors, nearby businesses, church groups -- and use their unique skills. Don't just propose a range of possible collaborators -- get commitments for materials, time or money ahead of time, and include letters of support in your application.

How are you going to do it?

Provide details on who is going to do what and when. Are the tasks doable by the people involved? Explain their qualifications for the work they're doing. Who is in charge? Include a timeline to demonstrate that you have done your planning. Also make sure your project has an evaluation component: how will you know if you succeeded? How will the project continue after the grant runs out? Most funders want to see a project that will live on after their involvement.

How much is it going to cost?

What's your budget? Make sure your cost estimates are concrete and specific. Do your homework on how much things are going to cost. Include vendor estimates. Call around for the best price. Itemize!

What about "matching funds?"

Lots of funders require matching funds -- this means they want to see that you and/or other funders are also contributing to the effort. A 35 percent match means that 35 percent of the total project cost will be covered by others -- another foundation, a federal agency, or you, the proponent. Sometimes the requirement for matching funds can be met by volunteer work hours, donated technical expertise, office space lent to your project, and other non-cash contributions.

After you get the grant:

You're not done when you get the check! Most funders will want progress reports from you during the project, and a final report with an accounting of how you spent their money. Send photos, press coverage, and copies of any printed materials. Invite representatives from your funding source to see your project in process, meet your partners and join in your celebrations.

What if I don't get the grant?

Funders turn down many worthy projects. Sometimes they provide good feedback that can improve the proposal next time. Don't give up! Submit your proposal or a revised version of it to other funders. Be willing to re-evaluate and modify your proposal and don't get discouraged.