If your association isn’t leveraging grant writing yet, it’s time to start. Candid’s official grant reporting data reports three million grants available in the United States, totaling over $180 billion in philanthropic funds. This number doesn’t include federal, state, or local grants, meaning there are even more opportunities to secure funding for your organization.
Associations often use grants to fund special programs, temporary staff, research, or designated budgets. Grant writing is a powerful tool for generating non-dues revenue, but getting started—or improving your approach—can feel overwhelming.
Ready to succeed in grant writing? Read our blog for five essential tips to enhance your association’s grant writing process.
5 grant writing tips to boost non-dues revenue
Maybe you’re new to grant writing, or maybe your association is a seasoned pro. Whatever your experience, you can benefit from these grant writing tips:
1. Research potential grants.
Before diving into grant writing, start by identifying suitable grant opportunities. Use a grant directory to narrow your search and focus on grants aligned with your organization’s goals, target audience, and subject matter.
Researching each potential funder is crucial. Learn about their mission and priorities to ensure alignment with your association’s objectives. The better the match, the greater your chances of being awarded a grant.
2. Leverage your network.
Networking within your community can set your association apart. For local, regional, or industry-specific grants, building relationships with funders can give you an edge. Even for federal or larger philanthropic grants, understanding and connecting with the grantor can help differentiate your application.
Engaging with your network can also help uncover new grant opportunities, giving your association access to a wider range of funding options.
3. Focus on a few grants
While the sheer number of grants available may tempt you to apply for as many as possible, a targeted approach is more effective. Focus on opportunities where your association has the highest chance of success.
Create detailed and tailored budgets for each grant application. Your budget should include:
- Cash and non-monetary contributions
- Valuation methods for non-monetary contributions
- Supporting documentation like invoices and supplier quotes
Providing a clear and comprehensive budget helps your proposal stand out and demonstrates professionalism and preparedness.
4. Follow the rules
Strict adherence to application guidelines is critical. Review the grant’s Request for Proposal (RFP) or funding guidelines to confirm your eligibility and ensure the timeline is feasible for your team.
When applying, align your funding request with the grantor’s stated priorities. Pay close attention to specific instructions, including character limits, formatting requirements, and page lengths. Skipping these details can lead to disqualification, no matter how strong your proposal.
5. Recruit a grant reviewer
Before submitting your application, have it reviewed by someone who hasn’t been involved in the process. Choose someone within your organization who has enough context to understand the grant’s purpose but isn’t deeply familiar with the details.
Ask them to evaluate your proposal by considering the following:
- Is the grant request clear and concise?
- Does it meet the funding guidelines?
- Does it align with the organization’s mission?
- Is it compelling and motivating?
Feedback from a fresh perspective can help refine your proposal and ensure it’s ready for submission.
Learn more about grant writing and non-dues revenue
Grant writing is a highly effective way to secure non-dues revenue for your association. While it may take time to develop and perfect your process, the rewards are well worth the effort. By focusing on research, relationships, and precision, your association can unlock new funding opportunities and support its mission like never before.
Start implementing the tips in this blog to strengthen your grant writing strategy and boost your association’s revenue potential!
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Discover how Momentive Software equips your association to enhance non-dues revenue.
