So you’ve got this great opportunity to get your program funded! All you have to do is write a phenomenal, convincing and concise application that will wow the judges and have the money flowing in no time. Sounds daunting? Take a deep breath and let’s go over some tips to get you funded in no time!

Step Zero: Read the application. This is the fundamental, quintessential, paramount, primary thing you absolutely must do. Then, read it again. Take notes. Look at what they’re asking for in each question. Look at the space restrictions. Then make two more copies of the RFP.

Step One: Get ready to write. First decide who’s going to write the grant. If you’re going to use a team, make everyone involved their own copy of the grant. Have them read it twice and highlight key points. Next assign duties and deadlines to each person. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to assemble the grant. Also, agree on a font type and size that will keep all your sections uniform.

Step Two: Get Your Letters of Support first! Find out from the grant guidelines how many letters of support you can include and get as many as you can. Make sure that the people writing the letters know that you want them to be as accurate in what they are promising as they can be. Generic letters are not your friend.

Step Three: Write Simply. Keep your writing tight and tidy. Avoid colloquialisms and familiarity. Avoid technical jargon and acronyms. Assume your audience doesn’t know much about your field. Write in active voice and use a third person tone, such as “The agency will…” not “We will…”

Step Four: Honesty is the only policy. Never lie in a proposal. Ever. Be realistic about what you can accomplish and never pad your numbers to make your results seem better. Make sure you use the best statistics you can and make sure it’s up to date.

Step Five: Get a second opinion. When you’re done writing your proposal, put it together, clean it up and give it to someone else; preferably someone who has no experience or expertise in your field. Have them read it over and summarize your program back to you. If they can’t do it, you need to revise your proposal.

Step Six: Check your deadlines. Grant makers do not lie when they say deadlines are firm. Make sure you get everything done at least three days in advance. The easiest way to decide who gets funding is to eliminate anyone who doesn’t care enough to get their proposal in on time.

Step Seven: Send it off. After you’ve gotten it all done, make copies. Then mail it off. Use a service that allows you to track the mailing. The last thing you need is to lose a $10,000 grant because you didn’t buy a $5 tracking number.

Step Eight: Do it again! You’ve finished one grant; it’s time to start the next one. First, take a deep breath and congratulate yourself on another fine project completed. Then, start searching for the next one. Non-profits are like wild animals; we’re always hungry.