grants Archives - Spokes | Resources for Nonprofits

We are a small nonprofit and we just got our first major grant. We want to do things right. What advice do you have?

Managing a first major grant can be an exciting opportunity for a small nonprofit. Here are some basic recommendations to help ensure success:

Understand the Grant Requirements: Hopefully, you did this before you applied for the grant! That said, this is a good time to thoroughly review the grant guidelines and requirements. Make sure you understand what is expected from your organization. Make sure you’re clear on the objectives, reporting deadlines, budgetary restrictions, and any other conditions attached to the grant.
Create a Project Plan: Develop a detailed project plan outlining how you will utilize the grant funds to achieve the proposed objectives. Break down the tasks, assign responsibilities, and set realistic timelines for completion.
Establish Clear Communication Channels: How will you keep everyone who is involved in the funded project on the same page? Maintain clear communication channels both within your nonprofit and with anyone outside who will be involved in implementation. Regular meetings and updates can help keep everyone informed and engaged.
Track Expenses and Budgets: Unless the grant you received is for general operations, use of the funds is typically restricted to the purpose for which the grant was awarded. Implement a robust system for tracking expenses related to the grant and regularly monitor your budget to ensure you’re staying within the allocated funds. This will help you avoid overspending and ensure compliance with grant requirements. Be prepared at any time to show how you have spent the grant funds.
Document Everything: Related to number four, keep detailed records of all activities, expenditures, and outcomes associated with the grant. Accurate documentation will not only help you meet reporting requirements but also provide valuable insights for future grant applications.
Build Relationships with Funders: Cultivate positive relationships with the grant funder(s) by keeping them informed of your progress, sharing success stories, and expressing gratitude for their support. This can increase the likelihood of future funding opportunities and potentially lead to ongoing partnerships.
Evaluate and Adapt: Regularly evaluate the progress of your grant-funded project against the established objectives and be prepared to adapt your approach if necessary. Collect feedback from stakeholders and use it to make informed decisions about how to best utilize the grant funds.
Comply with Reporting Requirements: Ensure that you meet all reporting deadlines and provide the required documentation as outlined in the grant agreement. Failure to comply with reporting requirements could jeopardize future funding opportunities.
Celebrate Successes: Take the time to celebrate milestones and successes achieved through the grant-funded project. Not only does this boost morale within your organization, but it also demonstrates to funders the impact of their investment.
Plan for Sustainability: Consider how you will sustain the outcomes of the grant-funded project beyond the grant period. If you did not have to do this as part of the application process, it’s time to develop a sustainability plan that outlines strategies for continued impact once the grant funding has ended.

With billions of dollars given away through grants each year, it’s no wonder nonprofits often rely on them as major components of their annual funding. Grants are an excellent way to fundraise for your organization—however, the process can be intimidating.

Grant writing is the process of requesting funding provided by a private, corporate, or government grant maker. Grant seeking can be competitive, which is why it is important for grant writers to write clear, logical, and tailored proposals.

The Writing Center at University of Wisconsin-Madison examines the basics of planning and writing a grant proposal.

One way to begin is to obtain background information on your potential funder. What are their goals and values? How does your nonprofit align with them? This way you can adapt your proposal to further persuade your potential funder. Make sure to review the grant’s expectations to make sure your organization meets the requirements and follows the instructions.

To establish credibility, present your organization as knowledgeable, capable, and forward thinking. Reference past accomplishments where appropriate. Outline your information knowledgeably and concisely—don’t be afraid to be direct!

Once you are ready to start writing your proposal, review the main elements generally included in one:

Short overview/abstract summary: Present the most important elements of your proposal—such as an introduction of your organization, your purpose or goal, expected outcome, and how you will measure your success. It may be best to complete this last, as it is an abbreviated version of your proposal.
Statement of need: Establish value in your project by explaining the problem it will respond to. Include data if necessary.
Description of project/strategies and tactics: Describe your project’s goals, expected outcomes, methods to achieve these outcomes, and the timeline for your project.
Budget: Through tables and figures, clarify what you are asking for with justifications of costs.

Other sections may be required. For nonprofits, funders may ask for organizational qualifications in which you would describe the nature, mission, and function of your organization.

For more grant writing tips:

Candid’s free introductory training on proposal writing

The Modern Nonprofit’s Essential Grant Writing Tips

Grants Plus’ Nonprofit Grant Writing

Grant Management Basics

Grant Writing Basics

Guiding nonprofits to achieve their goals through support and expert resources.

How Can We Make A Difference Together?

Recent Articles