Reviewing grant writing examples can help you learn about the grant writing process. Planning a grant proposal takes a great deal of research and must include detailed information about your project goals.
Where to Find Grant Writing Examples
You can find a variety of grant writing samples online, and many of these samples are free and printable. Reviewing grant writing samples can help you craft an effective grant proposal. The following websites offer them:
Non-Profit Guides
The NP Guides site has helpful advice and samples geared toward nonprofit organizations and shows different types of examples such as private or public RFP's. Check out individual areas like the tips section or look at detailed samples for each part of the grant like the cover letter and budget pages.
Learner Associates
This grant-writing guide by Dr. S. Joseph Levine features a detailed description of the parts of a social services grant proposal. The author uses a table to break down the entire proposal into sections. Check out the writing hints for each specific portion of the grant then view the sample text for step-by-step instructions. You can also view the entire example or all writing tips at once.
Sinclair Community College
SCC's Grants Development Office provides resource articles and sample National Science Foundation Proposals. Each of the five examples features a comprehensive proposal with a slightly different format from the others. This gives you the chance to see how you can tailor your proposal to your project.
Legal Action Center
LAC's Grant Proposal Template is a completely customizable document that lays out each section and explains, through proper proposal formatting, what should be covered. A format like this allows you to add text to a section then compare it to the description before deleting the original explanation.
GrantSpace
Look at dozens of proposal examples ranging from single-year to multi-year projects on GrantSpace. With so many samples to choose from, you are sure to find one that closely relates to your project. You also have the option of browsing examples by complete proposal or specific sections such as budget or cover letter. When you click on an example, you'll see comments from the funders on what they liked or didn't like about the proposal and its reader rating. You'll need to create a free account with a valid email address to read all samples.
OneOC
If you're looking for an example of a grant proposal that answers questions given by the grant committee, OneOC's sample is a great option. See how to format a proposal that includes the original funder questions and your answers to them with this example of a social service proposal. It even includes a final page showing all the attached documents you might include.
Maryland Philanthropy Network
Download the "Grant Proposal Format" word document from the Maryland Philanthropy Network to see how funders suggest you write a grant. Brief bullet points under each heading in the proposal provide tips and explanations on how to draft successful text. The sample also includes a detailed budget table to help you imagine every possible piece of information you may need to cover.
University of Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin provides a detailed explanation of grant writing with writing tips and several examples of successful grants. PDF examples shared on the site include one directed at a foundation and two for fellowships. Each sample document features colored text boxes with explanations of what works about different formats and descriptions used by the grant writer.
About Grants
A grant is a sum of money awarded by a government agency or private organization for a specific purpose or project that does not need to be paid back. Federal government agencies and private organizations provide grants to organizations and individuals that meet their program criteria and goals. There are a wide range of grants available through the federal government and private organizations in everything imaginable from medicine and education to community projects. The best way to find a grant is to research available grants and find out which ones you are eligible for.
Planning a Grant Proposal
Advanced planning is essential to grant writing success.
- Determine the organization's needs and get a strong understanding of the goals of the project.
- Research budget needs for the project and be realistic about budget goals.
- Identify potential grant funding sources before you begin writing. Target the ones whose goals are most closely aligned with yours.
Advice for Grant Writing
When writing a grant, make your plan as detailed as possible to demonstrate your eligibility and compatibility with potential funders.
- Tailor the proposal to each funder and how your company matches their goals.
- Plan ahead and request grant money before running out of funds for a project.
- Stick to the eight basic components of a grant proposal - Proposal summary, organization introduction, statement of the problem, project objectives, project methods, the budget, future funding options and the evaluation.
See What Works
Studying examples of successful grants can help you better package your grant proposal. Explore the many ways to create an effective grant proposal with these free online resources.
