The Top 10 Grant-Writing Mistakes

NAESP is pleased to grant AGS one-time permission to post the article, "The Top 10 Grant-Writing Mistakes," by Deborah Ward. Principal, Volume 81, Number 5, May 2002, p.47

If you're asking for funding, make sure your proposal makes sense, is readable - and goes to the right place.

Every time I conduct a grant-writing workshop, I am always asked, "What are the most common mistakes people make in writing grant proposals?" As a principal, the answers to this question may save you and your staff a considerable amount of time and effort in securing needed funds.

The most important thing to remember about grant writing is to plan ahead and dedicate enough time to write and submit the proposals. If you do, many of these 10 most common mistakes can be avoided.

1. The writing isn't succinct or intelligible.
   As a result, the proposal just doesn't make sense. To avoid this situation, give the finished proposal to someone outside the field of education to read before you submit it. This will help you to identify parts that needed to be clarified.


2. The estimated costs for the proposal are inaccurate, incorrect, or inflated.
   In a grant proposal, never guess at the cost of any item. Chances are that a reviewer or a staff person will identify the inaccuracy, which will affect the credibility of your entire proposal.


3. The proposal contains typographical and grammatical errors.
   Although a proposal with such errors will be read, what kind of message do you suppose it sends to a reviewer? Take time to have at least two people proofread your proposal before you submit it.


4. The proposed budget doesn't match the narrative or there are costs in the budget that are not mentioned or explained in the narrative.
   Always be sure that the budget accurately reflects the costs of the project's activities. Otherwise, the reviewers are likely to suggest that unexplained costs not be included in the grant award.


5. The objectives are too vague and open to individual interpretation.
   Repeat the following mantra every time you write a grant proposal: Objectives must be measurable! Objectives that are not specific or measurable will lead to vague evaluations and, in all likelihood, rejection of your proposal.


6. The proposal was hastily assembled.
   In most cases, reviewers can easily spot proposals that were written at the last minute. Items are missing, budgets are incomplete, and the proposal sounds choppy and unfinished. Never underestimate the time needed to develop a project idea and complete the paperwork.


7. The proposal is filled with jargon and acronyms.
   Don't assume that grant reviewers are experts in the subject area and that they understand your jargon and acronyms. In fact, the reviewer may not be an educator at all. Although it is important to have command of the language of education, make sure that your proposal has substance and clarity, and that you explain what you mean.


8. The proposal is full of buzzwords and clichés.
   See number 7! What may seem perfectly clear to you may be mystifying to the reviewers.


9. The writer ignores instructions.
   Every grant has rules and directions that must be followed. If you want your proposal to be read and considered, read and re-read the directions. Otherwise, you risk having your proposal disqualified without being read.


10. The proposal doesn't match the funder's objectives.
    Sometimes individuals are more interested in the funding than what the funding is supposed to accomplish. Just because a funder has a lot of grant money doesn't mean your project will get any. Don't expect funders to depart from their objectives just because you have a good project idea. In fact, if your project doesn't match a funder's interest, your proposal will likely go unread. So be sure you do your research and find a funder that closely matches your project idea.

Deborah Ward is a grant-writing consultant based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Her e-mail address is Debor21727@aol.com. Copyright 2002, National Association of Elementary School Principals. All rights Reserved.