How do we make our grant proposal or letter of intent stand out and compelling to donors?
Question submitted by: Molade Adeniyi, Teach For Nigeria, Nigeria
A grant proposal, concept note, or letter is often called the “pitching document” because it communicates the unique advantage an organisation brings to the donor. One thing that most NGOs often forget is to verify that they meet the requisite eligibility criteria before submitting an application. As a proposal reviewer, I often encounter situations where NGOs could have avoided developing a time-consuming, resource-intensive proposal by first determining whether it fit. Different tools are available nowadays, including Artificial intelligence, which one can use to do this work.
Assuming your NGO meets all the eligibility criteria, the next step is divided into three phases: before writing, during writing, and after writing. Before writing, you need to uniquely design your project. A unique project offers value to the donor and is distinguishable. For example, instead of addressing climate change, you can focus on gendered climate change, especially in a patriarchal society, given evidence of the nexus between climate change and gender subjugation. Instead of a climate change project, say how people with disabilities are affected by climate change. In this, you are not only responding to climate change but also offering unique value by addressing the minority and marginalised groups affected by it.
Generic proposals no longer work. Design a unique, high-value project. During proposal writing, use the right terminology, be simple and clear and remain comprehensive in your project description. “You will do what, where, how, for how long, by whom, to achieve what.” Donors want clarity in simple language (e.g. we will conduct three days of training targeting 30 PWD in area X). Clearly state how the training will be conducted, by whom, what delivery method will be used, what outcome will be achieved, and whether you will be scaling or starting a fresh.
After writing the proposal, do two things: take the Call for Proposals and check that each technical and operational requirement has been met, and do something called “sleeping on the document.” Unless the deadline is near, let the document lie for two days and go back to it with a refreshed mind. You will identify errors or give it to a third party.
Ultimately, it is uniqueness, value for money (demonstrating scalability that works) and visible professionalism that sells. After completing the document, brand it through unique design and colour themes. Aesthetics still work.
(This answer was provided by Wycliffe Nyafuanga, a Kenyan resource mobilisation expert and grant funding strategist)
