Funding and

Freelancing: Mastering
Grant Proposals

By Crystal (The Grant Guru)

 Day 1: Introduction to Grant Applications
and Proposals
1. Welcome and introductions
2. Introduction to grant writing.
3. Importance of securing grants.
4. Types of grants (government, private, corporate).
5. Differences between grants and Loans
6. Key terminology.
7. What is a grant proposal?
8. Basic structure of a grant proposal.
 Introduction to grant writing.

A grant is a financial award given by a government entity, foundation,

corporation, or other organization to fund specific projects, initiatives, or
activities.
 Importance of securing grants.

Funding Opportunities:
Grants provide essential funding for projects that might otherwise lack financial support, enabling
innovation, research, and community development.
Impact on Society:
Grants support initiatives that address critical social, economic, and environmental issues, leading to
positive changes in communities and industries.
Organizational Growth:
Securing grants can enhance an organization's credibility, capacity, and ability to attract additional
funding from other sources.
 Types of grants

Government Grants:
Federal Grants: Provided by national government agencies for projects that
align with federal priorities.
State Grants: Offered by state governments for initiatives that address state-
specific needs.
Local Grants: Distributed by local governments for community-based
projects.
Private Grants:
Foundation Grants: Funded by private foundations established by
individuals, families, or corporations to support various causes.

Non-Profit Grants: Provided by non-profit organizations to support

projects that align with their mission.

Corporate Grants:
Funded by businesses and corporations as part of their corporate
social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. These grants often support
community projects, education, and sustainability efforts.
 Differences between grants and Loans
Grants Loans
1 Non Repayable Repayable
2 Specific Purpose Flexible Purpose
3 Competitive and Criteria-Based Credit-Based
4 No Interest and Fees Interest and Fees
5 Regular Reporting Repayment Monitoring
 Key terminology.

Grantor:
The organization or entity providing the grant funding. This can be a government agency, foundation,
corporation, or other institution.
Grantee:
The recipient of the grant funding. This can be an individual, non-profit organization, business, or other entity
that applies for and receives the grant.
Request for Proposal (RFP):
A document issued by the grantor outlining the requirements and guidelines for submitting a grant proposal. It
includes details such as eligibility criteria, application deadlines, funding priorities, and specific instructions for
proposal submission.
Letter of Intent (LOI):
A preliminary document submitted by the applicant to the grantor
expressing interest in applying for a grant. An LOI typically includes
a brief overview of the proposed project and its objectives. It helps
the grantor determine whether the applicant’s project aligns with
their funding priorities.

Proposal/Grant Application:
The detailed document submitted by the grantee in response to
the RFP. It outlines the project’s goals, objectives, methods,
budget, evaluation plan, and other relevant information.
 What is a Grant proposal?

A grant proposal is a comprehensive, detailed document submitted to a

grantor (such as a government agency, foundation, or corporation) to
request funding for a specific project or initiative. The primary purpose of a
grant proposal is to persuade the grantor that your project is worthy of
their financial support and aligns with their funding priorities and
objectives.
 Basic Structure of a Grant Proposal

1. Introduction
– Purpose:
– Provides a concise overview of the organization and sets the stage for the proposal.
– Contents:
– Brief introduction to the organization.
– Summary of the project's importance and relevance.
– Context or background information that frames the proposal.
2. Cover Letter
Purpose:
Introduces your organization, the project, and why you’re applying for the grant.
Contents:
Header
Opening Paragraph
Body
Closing Paragraph
Signature
3. Organizational Background
Purpose:
Explains who you are and why you’re qualified for the project.
Contents:
Introduction
History and Experience
Programs and Services
Target Population
Organizational Structure and Capacity
4. Executive Summary
Purpose:
Summarizes the main points of the proposal, allowing the grantor to quickly grasp
the essence of the project.
Contents:
Brief description of the project and its significance.
Overview of the project's goals and objectives.
Amount of funding requested.
Key elements of the methodology and expected outcomes.
5. Statement of Need
Purpose:
Justifies the necessity of the project by detailing the problem or need it addresses.
Contents:
Clear description of the problem or need.
Data and evidence supporting the existence and urgency of the problem.
Explanation of the problem's impact on the target population or community.
Connection between the problem and the project’s goals.
6. Program Goals and Objectives
Purpose:
Defines what the project aims to achieve and how it will measure success.
Contents:
Goals: Broad, long-term outcomes the project aims to achieve.
Objectives: Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART)
steps that will help achieve the goals.
7. Methods/Implementation Plan
Purpose:
Describes the detailed plan for executing the project.
Contents:
Detailed description of the activities and strategies to be used.
Timeline outlining when each activity will take place.
Roles and responsibilities of project personnel.
Resources and materials needed for the project.
Any partnerships or collaborations that will support implementation.
8. Evaluation Plan
Purpose:
Outlines how the project’s success will be measured and assessed.
Contents:
Methods and tools for data collection and analysis.
Criteria for measuring progress towards goals and objectives.
Plan for reporting evaluation findings to stakeholders and the grantor.
Timeline for evaluation activities, including formative (ongoing) and summative (final)
assessments.
9. Budget Proposal
Purpose:
Provides a detailed financial plan for the project, ensuring that the requested funds are
justified.
Contents:
Detailed Budget: Breakdown of all project costs, including personnel, equipment,
supplies, travel, and other expenses.
Budget Justification: Explanation of why each expense is necessary and how the amounts
were calculated.
Direct Costs: Expenses directly related to project activities.
Indirect Costs: Overhead or administrative costs that support the project.
Matching Funds: Contributions from the organization or other sources, if applicable.
In-Kind Contributions: Non-monetary support such as volunteer time or donated
materials.