How to Do a Sample Grant Proposal

If you're going to write a grant proposal then you may need to preview a sample grant proposal to help you organize the package the proper way. There are many details and funders are particular about everything being in order. Therefore, you want it to be perfect if you want your grant to get funded. You never know what funders will be picky about so it pays to do it right from beginning to end.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. 
    
   Community Project

   The first thing you need for your sample grant proposal is a cover letter. There is a standard format that's used with the date, name of the contact, grant maker and their city, state and zip being at the top. Then the name of the grant just below it. After that the rest is a typical request for funds telling them the amount you're asking and how much you've already secured. You mention a little background about your organization and what you've done and how you've helped XYZ to improve communities, organizations or businesses.

2. 
    
   Under Construction

   Describe the Project
   The first item in the sample grant proposal is a brief description of what your need is. This could be a building project that is housing homeless families that needs more added on to it. Or a new building to replace the old one, whatever the need is that's what is first. You also explain what the result will be when it's finished. How many more families you can house, improve the community etc.

3. 
    
   Great location

   The next area is goals and objectives. They want to know what the issues are at hand or what you're up against. The run down neighborhood perhaps that this grant, if funded, is going to help make more attractive. You also let them know the good things about the neighborhood like it has a great location being close to downtown and has close access to public transportations like subways, buses and so forth.

4. 
    
   Demographics

   Next is census data/demographics. Who are you helping and what are their genders, race, age and average income. They also want info on housing costs, health care, schools, crime rates, taxes and cost of living. A general breakdown of the demographics of the particular neighborhood being funded which means more facts and figures to research.

5. 
    
   Budget

   Every grant proposal has to have a section for staff. Board members and volunteer workers are all listed and separated into part and full time. This is also in the budget which is very detailed. Everything in the sample grant proposal is detailed and perfect as it can be.

6. 
    
   Conclusion

   Finally, it's time for the conclusion where you gather bits and pieces of each section and summarize it in a way that's supposed to convince the funders to fund your grant. You need to be compelling, articulate and factual. It's do or die time!
   
   When you write a sample grant proposal the writing also needs to be technical no grammar/structure mistakes. You proof & edit and proof & edit again. Writing grants is a lot of hard work, but well worth it.

Resources

• How to Help at Risk Kids
• How to Volunteer With Children
• How to Apply for Scholarships and Grants
• How to Help Pregnant Teens

[jeanbalitarot]

on 11/28/2009 Clear, concise and easy to follow with just the right amount of information to inspire one to write that grant! Thank you, Jean

[amylaine]

on 10/8/2009 Your right slapping together a proposal does not work to well. Creating a sample grant proposal to give a your proposal a foot can work great when working with a group.

[jfjones]

on 9/17/2009 This is very useful info.

[lucindaroth]

on 4/18/2009 Terrific article on grant proposals

[rockymtngrma]

on 4/17/2009 You did an excellent job of providing consise instructions for sample grant proposal writing. I'm sending this info to our city council--they could use it. Thanks!