I t has been said that eighty percent of developing a winning grant application is planning while writing only accounts for twenty percent. I couldn't agree with that assessment more. And here's the trick to fully developing your proposal idea: begin with the end in mind with all the right people in place.

If your organization has been kicking around the idea of grant funding but just don't have a clue about where to even begin – begin with the end. What need do you see in the community and how can your organization best meet that need? To best meet needs, effective organizations determine long-range goals and develop a plan to meet those goals from start to finish. What is it that you're trying to accomplish immediately and over the next several years?

A grant writer is not an island and shouldn't even begin to develop a proposal alone. Involve the people that will be affected by the proposed program every day like the staff administering it and the clients benefiting from it. In crafting your project proposal, you also want to be realistic and give your organization an honest assessment. With what you're proposing, is qualified staff in place to handle the project? Remember, you can't be all things to all people.

Once you begin having discussions over possible programs, then you'll want to identify which of these projects are most compatible with grant funding. Is your proposed plan a good match for funders you've identified? How is the project compatible with the funder's mission and purpose? Also develop your program as a unique opportunity that no one else in the community is providing.

A well-defined plan is the cornerstone to a good proposal. Make yours solid and the rest will naturally fall into place. For more tips on writing solid, winning proposals sign up for the grant writer's "60 Insider Secrets." If you're interested in becoming a grant writing consultant, you can also sign up for a get-started guide.

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A universal truth
written by Sherry Truhlar, April 16, 2011

Betsy, great post. I think your first two lines are probably a universal truth. 80% of an event is the planning while 20% of the success is the operations of the evening. If you want to be successful at a fundraising auction, begin with the right audience in attendance and the right items up for bid.

There's not much that great planning can't overcome - whether it is getting grant funding or hosting a special event.