Grant active: writing winning grant applications

As grant writing consultants, there are some key principles we abide by to give our words and narrative maximum impact, and some practices we’re mindful to avoid. Impact through writing means getting readers to understand and remember your message, creating a strong impression and the power to influence. To help you understand some fundamentals of writing for impact, the following are our top five dos and don’ts. Use these as a guide to help improve your grant writing so it’s more impactful, persuasive, and easier to read.

Do: Choose simple, accurate and meaningful words

Verbs that are precise and descriptive are powerhouses when used correctly in grant applications. Combine these verbs with straightforward and plain English, to elevate your grant writing for direct and concise reading. Make your words count. Ensure each word is correct for the context of your writing, and they convey exactly what you intend them to mean.

Don’t: Use long or complex words or phrases

While grant writing is a formal process, using a complex word or phrase when a simple one will do won’t impress the evaluators or make you sound more intelligent. On the contrary, if elaborate words are mistakenly used in the wrong context, your capability could be called into question. If you cannot communicate clearly in your grant application, how will you communicate clearly when delivering on the funding requirements? Remember simplicity is key for clarity.

Do: Have your writing proofread and reviewed by someone experienced in grants

Ideally, this is a grant professional or someone who works in the for-purpose sector who can add value to your content when responding to the funding criteria. They will pick up what you might have missed, provide constructive feedback to improve your draft, and suggest edits to keep it concise. Use this opportunity to further improve and strengthen your grant writing.

Don’t: Solely rely on spell check, AI or something not human

While we love the ease of ChatGPT turning our ideas into professional prose or spell check doing the mundane for us, AI cannot always identify if the written context is accurate. As intelligent as they are, machines cannot replace human intuition or provide the deeper level of understanding a funding opportunity needs. They can’t address the nuances and social impact that each individual grant application brings. While a word may look correct on the page, it may not be fit for your sentence’s purpose.

Do: Use full stops and commas in your sentences for effect

As simple as this may sound, punctuation is your friend. Using full stops and commas to highlight the key messages you want to deliver are important writing tools. They help you to make your point and keep your sentences short. Succinct sentences are easier for evaluators to understand. They make your ideas pop off the page and have far greater impact.

Don’t: Use longwinded sentences and lengthy paragraphs

Sentences are hard to digest when they are too long or are used to make too many points. The same can be said for reading a paragraph that has no line breaks. If your brain has to work harder to decipher and understand the concept, your message might be diluted or lost. It’s best to keep your ideas limited in your sentences, and to break up paragraph concepts into smaller sections for clear and impactful grant writing.

Do: Use visuals to inform and enhance

When writing, consider if using a specific image or infographic might be more meaningful to define solution benefits, demonstrate your understanding, or support your grant narrative. ‘More meaningful’ is the crux here. Visual additions can enhance your content, more clearly describe complex methods, and to leave a lasting impression. Illustrations can also help with word count and organise page space more effectively.

Don’t: Add images and graphics just to break up text

It’s never a good idea to add in images and graphics with the sole intention of breaking up lengthy blocks of text. Including illustrations only to diversify your page format will have less impact and your message may become muddled, if not buried altogether.

Do: Use decisive and specific words where you can

Using strong and specific words can improve clarity in your writing and increase your credibility. The more solid and assured your words are, the more confidence you will project and increase the persuasiveness of your grant writing. Use specific words where you can, without compromising on risk. Always remain truthful and accurate as you must be able to deliver what you say you will.

Don’t: Use weak words that could be interpreted as unsure or unstable

Avoid using vague language that may be evasive or lacking understanding. Pay particular attention to replacing any unclear words with focused language to further refine your grant writing and generate greater impact.

Our client, a community-based business delivering health support therapies, identified a government funding opportunity to expand services for older people in their local area. While they had strong community relationships, rich data, and impactful programs, they lacked experience in grant writing. Referred to Purpose Plus through word of mouth, they sought our help to strengthen and finalise their grant application.

The How

• We supported our client throughout the entire process by:
• Strengthening and restructuring an existing draft to meet program standards
• Collaborating with management and program teams through two rounds of review
• Addressing sub-criteria including recruitment, client management, and evaluation, and
• Working closely with subject matter experts to reflect organisational strengths.

The Impact

With our support, our client was able to clearly highlight their relevant experience, expertise, and strong community partnerships. This demonstrated our client’s capability to deliver on objectives and provide excellent value for money. Consequently, they submitted a confident and competitive application to a highly sought-after federal government grant program.