Write a winning grant proposal

Your community group asks you to write a grant proposal, and you don't know where to start. Here are four important steps to landing a grant:

1)Don't find the grant then find a project. Do it the other way around. If you have clear project goals for the group, you have a better shot of winning the grant. You don't run the risk of taking the group off into a track outside of its realm. Also, grantors can see through this tactic. They can tell if you are inexperienced in a particular discipline or if it doesn't fit your general mission.

2) Read the rules and instructions carefully. Make sure your project fits within the confines of the grantor's guidelines. Otherwise, you get the group's hopes up and waste a lot of time. Sometimes grantors don't like to pay salaries or for ongoing projects. They sometimes want to want to give you stuff. Keep that in mind.

3) OK. You've found the grant, you've read the rules, now it's time to apply. Research is necessary to a successful application. Make sure you are clear about the the specifics of the project and what materials are needed to succeed.

4) Writing. Now is not the time to write flowery language. Pack the application with details. Be specific about the goals and intended outcome. Talk about existing resources: It shows commitment to the project. Finally, what is the impact of the project? Will it help people with cognitive disabilities learn new skills? Will it teach children necessary computer techniques in today's learning environment?