Jane Symonds, Research and Communications Manager at Strategic Grants shares some key questions to help you fully develop your next government grant application.
Writing a grant application without a project plan is a bit like building a house out of straw or sticks… you may get words on the page, but eventually your argument is going to come falling down.
What you need is bricks – or, in the world of grants, a well-mapped project that covers off everything from the project need through to evaluation and reporting.
Developing a strong, detailed project plan is a common stumbling block for nonprofits of all types and sizes – but it’s also an essential step to getting funding for the project.
All too often, we see people thinking of project plans in terms of the ultimate goal – we’re going to do THIS and it’s going to make a huge difference! – without plotting out the pathway to achieving that goal.
Before preparing a funding application, here are some key questions to answer to ensure your project is fully developed.
- What evidence do you have to demonstrate that this project is necessary?
- Which specific group of people is going to benefit from your project?
- How are you going to achieve the required outcomes?
- How will you evaluate and measure success?
- How will you manage the risks facing this project?
Thinking about project ideas in this very detailed way can be time-consuming – but not nearly as time-wasting and damaging as submitting a funding application for an ill-prepared project.
So remember the bricks – following an effective project-planning procedure will help to identify weaknesses, as well as giving you a clear idea of which of your ideas are most worthy of your precious time and resources.
Strategic Grants is the unique provider of grant strategies to bridge the divide between grant-seekers and grant-makers, through research, project planning and management, policy and process development, submission writing, training and the Grants Hub.
To find out how we can assist your nonprofit, visit www.strategicgrants.com.au
