3 Essential Tips to Help You Secure a Grant

Winning a grant can be transformative—but only if your proposal stands out. Whether you're a nonprofit, a researcher, or a community organization, these three practical tips will improve your chances of success.

1. Align with the Funder's Goals
Before you put pen to paper, take time to research the funder’s mission, values, and funding priorities. Tailor your proposal to clearly show how your project directly supports what they care about. Don’t try to fit a square peg into a round hole—funders want to see that you understand their goals and that your work contributes meaningfully to their vision.

2. Be Clear and Measurable
A strong proposal is easy to understand and backed by data. Outline exactly what you plan to do, who will benefit, and how you'll measure success. Avoid jargon and be specific about your objectives, timeline, and expected outcomes. The more concrete and measurable your goals, the more credible—and fundable—your project becomes.

3. Show You Can Deliver
Funders want confidence that their investment is in capable hands. Demonstrate your track record, team qualifications, and infrastructure for managing the grant. Include examples of past successes and explain how you’ll monitor and evaluate your results. If this is your first grant, emphasize partnerships or advisors who strengthen your ability to follow through.

Bottom line: A compelling grant proposal is one that clearly aligns with the funder’s mission, offers concrete results, and inspires trust in your ability to execute. Nail those three areas, and you’re already ahead of the game.