There are plenty of ways to increase your chances of winning a grant. And there are just as many ways to increase the chances your grant application finds its way to the recycling bin.
In Grant Applications: What not to do we present a short list of major mistakes to avoid when applying for your next grant.
Unreal spending requests
Asking for quadruple the amount of funds you used on last years’ project might appear unrealistic to a grantmaker, and might make you look greedy.
Omissions
Rushing your application increases the chances of leaving something out – such as those supporting documents you were meant to attach. Rushing your application also makes it more likely you won't pay attention to grantmaker and/or program guidelines and instructions. Doing so will seriously hurt your chances of success.
Having no earned income in your budget
This will set off grantmaker alarm bells because it indicates there is no-one who cares enough about your project to support it.
Sloppiness
Don’t just cut and paste an old application. Apart from being poor practice, it increases the chances of you including dated or irrelevant information.
Too much “What’s in it for us”; too little “what’s in it for the community/field”
Grantmakers want to know how your proposal will benefit the community, not how it will benefit your group.
Doing exactly what another group is already doing
Grantmakers are unlikely to fund duplicates of already successful projects. Your application must focus on how your project is different from the rest.
Lack of credibility
Prove you have the necessary administrative and accounting structures to manage the project. Not doing so means the grantmaker will view your proposal as more risky, and will be less likely to fund it.
No proof
Prove that your project is actually necessary, and do so by showing community need rather than just assuming it.
No budget detail
Strange expenditure items labeled “contingency” or “miscellaneous” will raise eyebrows and hurt your chances of success. Be specific when laying out budget detail.
Attacks on similar organisations
Don’t use your grant applications to compare yourself to similar groups or argue their faults – it is a bad look and will count against you. Instead, emphasise the positives of your proposal, and why you should be funded rather than why others shouldn't be.
Don't harass the grantmaker
You might like to think of your continued calls, emails and letters as persistence or enthusiasm, but a grantmaker might be more likely to view them as harassment. Try just one follow-up call or email each week.