Tips for getting small grants. 

Thinking about applying for a small grant? There are lots of people who apply for these each year but many walk away unsuccessful. There is something to be learned from their mistakes, so follow these tips in order to be one of the lucky grants receiving people the next time you apply!

• Think about it. Writing a grant proposal without proper thought is a bad idea because your proposal will probably come across as unfocused and uncaring. Not only do you have to think about what you want the grant for, you have to think about who is giving you the grant and why they would give it to you. There is no specific model for designing your proposal, it should be individual. One thing that all grant proposals do have though is planning. Every good proposal has a significant amount of planning behind it. If a lender is going to trust you with a grant then you have to at least show that you care enough to plan.




• Why go after a grant? Before you just walk out and start applying at each and every opportunity, you should first look at why you need a grant. The project must be consistent with your own mission and your business's objectives and you have to make sure it is beneficial to you. It isn't fair to you or to the lender if you go after a grant just because you can. Part of preparation includes making sure you are the right one for the job.



• Write clearly. Most people make the mistake of writing their applications and cover letters in a confusing fashion. If you are even thinking about getting small grants then you have to use simple, easy to understand language. Lenders aren't looking to be impressed with big words and fancy formatting; they are looking for someone who can get their point across effectively.





• Be specific. If it appears that you are beating around the bush when it comes to talking about what your objectives are, the review board will become frustrated. Be specific when it comes to why you want a small grant. Don't be bashful. By being specific you will impress the review board with your clear focus.



• Address challenges, don't back away. Obviously there are going to be some challenges with any research work that you do and the review board knows this. They know that by giving you a small grant they are taking a risk that you will be able to overcome any possible challenges. Go one step further in your preparation by pointing out any challenges in your application. But don't stop there- show how you will overcome these issues.



• Proof read for grammar. If you don't read over your application you may miss some grammar mistakes. Sure, spell check is a great option on your computer but it can't catch everything. By reading over your application carefully you can make sure your grammar is correct and your focus stays strong.