Grant Writing
Grant writing is the process of preparing and submitting proposals to foundations, corporations, and government agencies requesting funding for nonprofit programs and projects.
Grant writing is the practice of researching, writing, and submitting formal proposals to grantmaking organizations — foundations, corporations, and government agencies — requesting financial support for specific programs, projects, or operating needs.
Why It Matters for Fundraising
Grants represent a significant revenue source for many nonprofits, with foundations alone distributing over $90 billion annually. Grant writing requires different skills than individual donor fundraising — it's more research-intensive, data-driven, and structured. A strong grant program diversifies revenue and can provide large, multi-year funding for programs that individual donations alone couldn't support.
Keys to Success
Successful grant writing starts with research — finding funders whose priorities align with your work. The proposal itself should clearly articulate the need, your approach, expected outcomes, evaluation methods, and budget. Following funder guidelines precisely is critical; many proposals are rejected for non-compliance rather than lack of merit. Building relationships with program officers before submitting also improves success rates.