The importance of ‘Why’ in grant writing

When the grant writer Sydney, is writing a grant for a not-for-profit client the important concept they are sharing with the grant funder is the answer to the question – will this project or program make a difference?

Grants are designed to enable the successful grant applicant to effect change, deliver projects and services, build community capacity, or create opportunities. A good grant application written by grant writer will clearly address the WHY does it need to happen. Within their grant proposal they are answering definitively where your project or program will happen, who will benefit, when and how it is going to happen and how much will it cost to make it happen.

It is important that the grant writer NT clearly establish the necessity or WHY for your project or program.

To ensure they establish the WHY the grant writer will compile a winning grant proposal that provides the required information to the grant funder that:

• Defines and describes your organisation. What are your organisation goals, mission, values, and philosophy? WHY is this program a priority for your organisation and how does it fit with your mission and the parameters of the grant? The grant writer will outline your governance and accountability experience and identify how you will deliver what you have said within your proposal.
• Identifies the issue or need – what is the issue, problem, or challenge? Is it important to the community – who benefits? Where will the project be located – region, town/city, site? What do you know about the target area or demographic group? What information can the grant writer include to prove or validate that your project will meet community needs?
• Defines the project or program. Where will it occur? What is the exact purpose of the project? What is the scope of the project? What resources will you need materially, human, and financial?
• Clearly outlines the strategic plan of the project or program. What are the expected outcomes and outputs and how will we measure success? What approvals, licenses, insurances do you need, and do you already have these in place or what is the plan to provide these? How will the project be implemented and operated?
• Identifies the people involved within your organisation and their qualifications, skills or qualities that make them the right fit for the program.
• Details the timeline for delivery. When do I need to start and finish the project or program – is it already underway and this grant is to help fund an ongoing program? What are the program or project milestones? Will it continue after the grant funding discontinues?
• Details the funding being sought for the project or program. How much will the project or program cost? The grant writer will include a detailed budget in the grant proposal covering the information required by the grant funder to decide about your application. What is the budget and funding required? How much will the project cost? How much cash and in-kind resources are already available and dedicated towards achieving success? A detailed budget will include project management on-costs, approvals, materials and resources, plant/equipment, labour.
• Identifies your organisation and the program or project suitability for the grant. The grant writer demonstrates in the grant proposal that the project represents good value for the grant provider and for public funds? They clearly define how the project fits with the grant objective.