PRDV009: Twelve Steps to Writing Competitive Grant Proposals | Saylor Academy

Home Specialization Programs Help

Watch this video for an extensive discussion of how to write a competitive grant proposal. The video walks you through a step-by-step process, with useful advice at each stage.

Source: Bob Pickering, https://vimeo.com/197815216
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Last modified: Tuesday, 14 May 2024, 12:29 PM

Course Introduction

Course Syllabus

Unit 1: Nonprofit Organizations and Grant Funding

1.1: What Is a Nonprofit Organization?

The Role of the Nonprofit

1.2: How Grant Funding Supports Organizations

What Is a Grant?

1.3: Steps in the Grant Application Process

The Grant Writing Process

Get Your Project Approved and Funded

Grant Lifecycle Timeline

Unit 2: The Request for Proposals (RFP) or Request for Applications (RFA)

2.1: RFP Guidelines

RFP Example 1: Eligibility Requirements

RFP Example 2: Instructions

RFP Details

2.2: Submission Deadlines

Using Deadlines Strategically

2.3: Grant Application Review Process

Writing Tips for Grant Reviewers

Review Guidelines

2.4: Scoring Matrix or Rubric

Scoring Systems and Procedures

Scoring Rubrics

Unit 3: Key Elements of a Grant Proposal

3.1: Project Name and Principal Investigator (PI)

Principal Investigator

3.2: Abstract, Project Description, and Cover Letter

Writing a Grant Abstract

Project Summary Abstract Guidelines

3.3: Organizational Information or Institutional Narrative

Best Practices in Grant Writing

3.4: Statement of Need

Developing Your Statement of Need

Sample Need Statements

3.5: Goals and Objectives

Objectives, Outputs, and Outcomes

Implementation Objectives vs. Outcome Objectives

Aims vs. Objectives

SMARTER Is Better than SMART

3.6: Implementation, Operation, or Management Plan

The Planning Cycle

3.7: Project Timeline

Timeline Examples

Method, Schedule, and Qualifications

Example Implementation Plan

3.8: Budget Summary, Narrative, and Justification

Preparing a Clear Grant Budget and Justification Narrative

Budget Justification Tips and Hints

Indirect Cost Overview

Cost Sharing (Matching Funds) and Maintenance of Effort

Work Plan and Budget Plan

3.9: Project Evaluation and Sustainability

Planning Your Project's Evaluation

Including Data Analysis in Your Grant Evaluation Section

Assessing the Impact and Outcomes of Projects

Hiring an Outside Evaluator

3.10: Partnering Organizations

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

3.11: Outside Letters of Support

Writing Good Letters of Support for Grants

3.12: Award Letters and Funding Announcements

Grant Award Letter

Sample Grant Announcement

Unit 4: Researching, Approaching, and Maintaining a Relationship with a Grant-Funding Source

4.1: Funding from Individual Donors

Key Facts on U.S Foundations

Creating Sustainable Funding for Your Nonprofit

4.2: Funding from Government

Federal Grants in the United States

Locating and Choosing a Funding Source

Lobbying

4.3: Funding from Foundations

Philanthropic Foundation

Before Approaching Foundations for Funding: Foundation Facts

The Basics of Grant and Prospect Research

4.4: Building a Relationship with a Grant-Funding Organization

How to Write a Letter of Introduction

How to Write a Letter of Inquiry

Establishing Relationships with Grantmakers