1. Start with the Problem, Not Your Organization
The successful grants I analyzed didn't open by describing their organization or programs.
Instead, they started by painting a picture of the major problem in their community, and then they went deeper. They described the root causes on a systemic level and explained how the problem impacts the broader ecosystem.
Here's an example from Grow Food Northampton's funded proposal:
"Our national food system is broken, as are many aspects of the system designed to ensure that individuals living in poverty can access food...The dominant form of agriculture in the US consists of industrialized large-scale factory farms that damage the environment, the very air we breathe, our water sources, and the health of the soil."
This frames your organization's work as a solution to a large, urgent, systemic issue. Even if you serve a small local community, connecting your work to the bigger picture shows funders you understand how it's all connected. It positions your nonprofit as a thought leader, not just a service provider.
2. Show Results Compared to Industry Standards
Stories are compelling, but they're even more powerful when paired with credible results that prove your program really works.
The winning proposals I analyzed didn't just share success metrics; they shared insights into how they achieved success. They also compared results to national or industry averages to show how their approach stood out.
Here's an example from Here Tomorrow's winning proposal:
"Friends have attended a total of 4,930 of 5,116 therapy visits referred and paid by Here Tomorrow for a no-show rate of less than 4%. By contrast, as many as 40% of people contemplating suicide do not show up for scheduled mental health appointments."
Wow... A 4% no-show rate compared to 40% industry average. That's a massive difference. If your organization can show evidence that your approach is not just effective but exceptional compared to the standard, you've just proven your model is worth investing in.
3. Use Evidence-Based Approaches
Here's something that might surprise you. Funders are not necessarily looking for the most innovative or brand-new approach. They're looking for strategies that have proven results.
The applications I reviewed showed how their programs were designed using evidence-based methods. Take a look at this excerpt from a grant:
"Teaching at the right level is a simple, evidence-based approach. Its impact has been documented through numerous randomized evaluations and recognized as a great buy-in in global education."
Think of funders as risk-averse investors. 🧐 They want certainty (to the degree possible; nobody can truly know the future) that their investment will lead to the impact you promised. Using an approach that's already been proven by research makes your proposal feel less risky and shows your methods are objectively effective.
4. Set Clear, Measurable Goals
Showing great results is important, but so is setting clear, reasonable, and measurable goals for what you'll accomplish with the funding.
The winning grants I analyzed outlined specific, quantifiable targets that felt ambitious – BUT still achievable (this is key). One organization wrote:
"The overall goals of the project are to organize, assess, clean, inventory, digitally catalog, and rehouse at least 7,000 objects, 20% of our approximately 35,000-piece collection, bringing the total cataloged to 35%."
Funders want to know what funding will accomplish. Vague goals raise red flags, but quantifiable goals show a clear plan of action and provide a concrete benchmark for success.
🎥 Want all the details?
These four elements are just the beginning. I break down even more elements all 10 successful grant proposals had in common in the full video:
What 10 Successful Nonprofit Grant Proposals Had in Common
Try it this week 🚀
Pull up a grant proposal you're working on (or one you've submitted before) and pick one of the strategies we covered to strengthen it. Even one strategic improvement can make a real difference in how funders see your work!
Hit Reply
Have you written a grant proposal recently? What's been your biggest challenge with grant writing? Hit reply and let me know! I read every response and would love to hear what you're working through.
