10 Successful Grant Writing Examples that Win Grants
What does it take to win a grant? This is the question that many people ask when they are trying to get funding for their project. There are many different factors, but one of the most important ones is the quality of your writing. If you have incredible writing skills and can create an interesting proposal, then it will be much easier to win grants.
Preparing a winning proposal may seem overwhelming at first; however, once you have reviewed a couple of examples, the process becomes much within reach. This list of 10 successful grant writing examples will help you to create a grant-worthy proposal in no time. In addition, each time you follow the pattern of these samples, you are one step closer to achieving your goal.
Grant Proposal Objectives
Zeroing in on the ‘why’ behind a grant approval has to be your top priority. If your grant proposal highlights the why clearly, it is already on its way to winning it.
It also ensures explaining your objectives to the grant funding body in a much more accurate and precise fashion.
Don’t underestimate the power of the first few sentences in your grant writing. If you want to get it right, make sure that your initial paragraphs are as compelling and engaging as possible.
This will help set up what is going to come in subsequent sections without becoming too wordy or burdensome.
Successful Grant Proposal Examples
By reviewing the examples below, you may give yourself the best chance at winning the grant for your project or organization.
Whether you are looking to reach out to a government agency or private organization, there are some basics to remember to ensure your grant proposal is a success.
Many organizations believe in giving back to the community; hence, your project could provide the stimulus for them to act. It is only a matter of time for the grant to be yours, provided the grant application meets all the writing guidelines.
Winning Grant Examples for Schools, Colleges, and Universities
If you seek funding for an educational project, you can look into the following examples without hesitation. Grant writing is an organized process with various sections to fill up before finally submitting and securing funding.
1. Kurzweil Educational Systems
Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that provides educational programs and services for people with disabilities or the elderly. This grant example is about how acquiring their software would help children with reading difficulties. That way, they will compete with their peers and not fall behind due to poor reading skills.
This sample grant writing example has everything you need for writing a worthwhile proposal. Alongside solid grant writing skills, your grant application has a high chance of acceptance if you follow the sample letter format, cover letter, and other portions given inside. It takes you through the whole grant writing process in an organized manner to seek funds from private foundations.
2. Salem Education Foundation
It provides grants and scholarships to teachers, principals, students, and organizations that share its vision for bettering public education.
History is a difficult subject to teach that’s why some schools want the funds for enrichment opportunities. That will in turn help them provide students with an excellent education. Salem’s example, in particular, takes you through a school’s effort for an enrichment grant.
3. National Language Resource Center
This proposal seeks funds for a National Language Resource Center to support foreign language instructors in K-12 and post-secondary institutions. It teaches a thing or two about professional grant writing.
George Washington University/Center of Applied Linguistics grant proposal sought funding to establish a National Language Resource Center: this would provide much-needed resources and services that were sorely lacking then.
Grant Samples for Youth Empowerment
Science is the future, and funding exists to support programs designed to help youth reach their potential. If that’s what you’re looking for, review these examples of research grants for young people in need.
4. William T. Grant Foundation
The William T. Grant Foundation provides fellowships for researchers focusing on improving the lives of kids living in America today. It does that via grant-based projects relevant to child welfare issues such as drug abuse prevention or delinquency treatment – all while providing a stipend so they can conduct an independent inquiry into any field related to children’s health and wellbeing.
5. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
The Youth Development Block Grant is one of the most competitive and sought-after CDBGs, so it’s important to write a proposal that captures its essence. This well-written effort by Family Service Association in Riverside can be used as inspiration for your own bid.
Before we dive deeper, if you’re interested in getting feedback from grant writing experts on a grant proposal that you write, then check out our grant writing certification course.
Individual and Family Sustenance Grant Applications
Below is a classic grant writing example to activate resources and acquire funding for underprivileged, handicapped, and senior citizens.
6. Kennett Area Senior Center
It sought funding to provide much-needed services and assistance for local seniors. A grant would help the Kennett Area Senior Center meet needs that currently exist, as well as fund programs designed to better serve clients in need – including those with limited resources or mobility challenges.
It says they are looking for a community foundation that wants to make a difference by providing funds for essentials like clothing and medical equipment. In that way, the senior citizens can afford these things on their budgets.
Grant Proposal Samples for Art Projects
Not only does a grant benefit a noble cause, but it also creates a feeling of satisfaction to work for the good of people. For artists with tight budgets, we have the following examples to address their documentation needs.
7. Imagine Fund
These are excerpts from compelling grant proposals submitted to the University of Minnesota’s Imagine Fund program. They are all for art-related endeavors, and they provide support so that the journey towards self-fulfillment moves on regardless of how small or big those desires may seem.
8. Individual Artist Growth Grant
The arts councils can be a great way to get funding for your project. That is because of the assistance they provide and their understanding of what artists need to thrive.
If you’re an artist seeking individual funding through one of those organizations, I recommend checking out this sample proposal from Region 2 Arts Council.
Grant Examples for Science-related Endeavors
Scientists seeking funding to conduct research is one of the most sought-after types of grant writing endeavors. Science-related projects are often difficult to fund through traditional methods because of their more complicated nature.
If you, as a scientist, seek financial aid from government agencies or private organizations, the following examples would help you build an effective case.
9. NIAID
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) is a top-of-the-line resource for those looking to secure funding for scientific research related to healthcare. The NIAID offers several examples of winning grant proposal applications that will help you get your foot in the door with all sorts of organizations that are willing to invest their money into making people healthy.
For professional, polite, and accurate proposal writing, it is advisable to hire the services of an experienced grant writer on either a full-time or freelance basis. Not only do they search for opportunities, but they grab them as soon as they appear with their command in writing.
10. Association of Zoos and Aquariums
This site is a goldmine for anyone looking to study up on funding grant proposals that actually worked. It includes many examples of highly successful projects ranging from animal health to their management, all the way through breeding and genetics. All are in pdf format, so save this link as your go-to resource when you need some major inspiration.
Aspects of Successful Grants
For a good chance at winning grant money, the applicant must be thorough in their research and find an organization that will fund their project type. Some of the aspects include:
- The preliminary proposal is covered with every detail of the project from start to finish
- Make sure your application fits each funding organization’s criteria before submission
- Analyze the prior grants in your field for ideas on what they are looking to fund
- Isolate the cause and provide innovative solutions to address it based upon your personal experience or expertise
- Be diligent in following the funding agency’s writing guidelines when creating their proposal and submit it by the deadline
- The proposal should explain every section of the project – particularly sections that describe the need for initiative, resources needed to complete this work, goals, and budget
- In response to any possible question about what they are proposing or how much money is involved with achieving these goals, there is an answer in detail within ‘The Narrative Section’
Once you keep the above characteristics in mind while writing your grant proposals, you are sure to come up with a convincing piece that is bound to bring success.
Anatomy of a Grant Proposal
In general, every grant proposal is made up of various sections. Therefore, it helps to be mindful of these portions while writing yours.
First Three Parts
They include: proposal summary, organization introduction, statement of the problem – these are all parts and components that you need to have in your grant proposal. They’re like a roadmap for it.
Fourth Part
Next are project objectives – what does this project aim to do? How is it going improve our community overall or make life easier for specific groups within society?
Fifth Part
Then are the methods – how will we go about getting there?
Sixth Part
Think long-term questions as well: future funding options (i.e., would funders be interested in continuing their support?)
Seventh and Eighth Parts
Lastly, talk about evaluation (does everyone love you?) and budget estimation.
Stick to Your Plan; Stay Focused on Requirements
When you stick to your plan and also follow your funder’s requirements to the letter, then you will probably receive the grant.
In some cases your idea may already exist from another organization’s work (like Habitat) so review their resources first before starting yours; they can offer tips and advice since it isn’t new territory for them like it would be for you.
Contacting experts in this field may help you on your way to grant acceptance.
Tips on How to Increase Your Chances of Winning a Grant
- Start early and be organized
- Do your research, read books, and make sure you know what’s been done about your topic in the past so that you don’t have to redo work that someone else may already have completed
- Have an actionable plan of where it will go once funded; this way they can see how their dollar will get invested if granted (don’t forget other funding sources, though)
- Even just pitching a rough idea with potential benefits has its merits too. It might not always result in being awarded grant money, but it could lead them on a path towards something better down the line, which would’ve never happened without, at least, putting forth some effort first
- Are they going to get the best bang for their buck? The funders need to know if their money is in good hands and the applicants know their way around funds management; you should have basic accounting skills to manage funds effectively
- Do they have a realistic timeline in place? Applicants should know how to manage their time and meet deadlines. The funder will want to know how much of an impact this project would make at what point in time – so better be honest about it from the get-go
- Is there any potential for fraud or misuse of funds? For example, will they use grant funding as personal expenses (e.g., building materials)? If yes, then you might want to think twice before applying for that particular grant. These issues should be addressed ASAP if discovered rather than waiting until after receiving grant money – it’ll only cause problems down the line when things start falling through
- Some applicants may use a grant proposal template as an organizational tool for their submission, in case there’s no specific format that the funder speaks of on their website
In the world of grant-seeking, locally funded grants outrank other options in terms of success rates. Local backers are more likely to support your cause because they too have a vested interest in how their community is shaped and what kind of businesses it attracts or retains.
Conclusion
The grant writing examples above show you the best ways to win grants. When applying for funding, it’s vital that your proposal meets each criterion and is in accordance with what they are looking to fund.
Grants are a great way to get your project funded, but it can be an uphill battle if you don’t know how to write one. The grant proposal process is in-depth and requires careful thought before writing the actual document. Now that you have this article, we hope you feel more confident about your ability to win a grant.
What type of grant funding are you looking for?
If you are new to grant writing and are looking to break-in, we recommend taking our Grant Writing Certification Course, where you will learn the fundamentals of being a grant writer, how to write proposals that win grants, and how to stand out as a grant writing candidate.
