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Here are tips for grant applications for NGOs or individuals who are starting out or have never gotten funding, what you need to do and shouldn't do.
PS: i don't know everything, so I am only sharing what's worked for me as an applicant and what I've discovered as a reviewer.
PS: i don't know everything, so I am only sharing what's worked for me as an applicant and what I've discovered as a reviewer.
First thing: If you are homophobic & Misogynistic (yes you slut shammer) *to the left to the left, everything you own in the box to the left*
Applications for your kind are at th homophobic section that is dying out.
Applications for your kind are at th homophobic section that is dying out.
No.1
Before you put your heart and soul into a grant call, please Google the NGOs that have received funding from said group. There are two reasons for this. 1. To show you the types of works they fund so that you don't waste your time, if you
Before you put your heart and soul into a grant call, please Google the NGOs that have received funding from said group. There are two reasons for this. 1. To show you the types of works they fund so that you don't waste your time, if you
Do not fit their mo. Let's say they like to fund initiatives that work with minority groups and Key populations and your initiative does not. The chances of them funding you are very slim
2. To see what program they haven't funded yet so that you work on one that they should.
2. To see what program they haven't funded yet so that you work on one that they should.
Let's say they only fund NGOs that work with sex workers but you realise they haven't funded a group that works specifically with trans sex workers or one that deals with safe houses for sex workers. You can fill in the blanks.
No. 2
You need to do is be creative and think outside the box. So you want to do a period poverty campaign, okay everyone is doing that, what makes your initiative stand out? Why should yours be picked out of everyone else's. What makes you so special?
You need to do is be creative and think outside the box. So you want to do a period poverty campaign, okay everyone is doing that, what makes your initiative stand out? Why should yours be picked out of everyone else's. What makes you so special?
This is where advice 3 comes in. Research, Research, Research. Look for people who have your idea, see what they are doing. Take what's working, see what they aren't doing right and then work on that to perfect it. You need an initiative that stands out and deserves to be funded.
No. 4
Don't rush to write and hand in a proposal. You are not doing yourself any favours by doing that. Always hand in at least a week before the deadline. This is for procrastination purposes but to allow you to research and think through your idea.
Don't rush to write and hand in a proposal. You are not doing yourself any favours by doing that. Always hand in at least a week before the deadline. This is for procrastination purposes but to allow you to research and think through your idea.
You don't want to quickly write it and then make mistakes or send in a half baked proposal. You want to take your time, write it well, let ideas come to you and then hand it in before the deadline. You want to feel confident and not stressed when you submit
No.5
If you can hire someone who knows how to write proposals well, do it. Sit down with them and write it together. It's your idea, you know it best but they understand how best it should be worded and what shouldn't be in it. Or ask for help if you can't afford it.
If you can hire someone who knows how to write proposals well, do it. Sit down with them and write it together. It's your idea, you know it best but they understand how best it should be worded and what shouldn't be in it. Or ask for help if you can't afford it.
A badly written proposal could really make you lose out on amazing funding opportunities. I should know I've written so many cringe worthy ones. I would encourage you use @lovemoremupanta services, they helped me improve my proposal skills immensely.
5. Build + Document
Look I've said this before, people feel more comfortable giving you their money if you invest yours first. Only a small percentage get funded because they just have an idea. Most grants ask you to provide your social media + website, this is to see if you
Look I've said this before, people feel more comfortable giving you their money if you invest yours first. Only a small percentage get funded because they just have an idea. Most grants ask you to provide your social media + website, this is to see if you
Have actually done any work. Your social media is your best recommendation. Some can't afford websites and that's okay but you have no excuse for not having a Facebook page. So start your initiatives on zero budgets and document that shit till you get to where....
