Securing grants is no small task. If you have gone through the process, you know the relief and satisfaction of completing a proposal after weeks—or even months—of effort. As you approach the finish line, one especially important step remains: the editing and review process. This step is crucial because small adjustments can transform your proposal from mediocre to competitive. While it might feel overwhelming after all your hard work, following these steps will make the process smoother and more manageable.
STEP #1: READ AND UNDERSTAND THE GUIDANCE
Reading the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is an essential document to review before beginning the proposal development process. It is also crucial to have ongoing “checkins” with the NOFO, especially in the proposal editing phase. The NOFO will outline all the required components of the proposal such as necessary forms, documents, letters, etc. It may also specify requirements around font size, page limits, or a prescribed outline. The guidance might give instructions on how to name your file and how to submit your proposal. Failure to adhere to these guidelines can result in disqualification. To stay organized, create a checklist based on the NOFO and tick off items as you review your proposal. This ensures you have not overlooked any requirements.
STEP #2: CHECK YOUR SPELLING, GRAMMAR, AND CONTENT
Though obvious, proofreading for grammar and spelling errors is vital. Mistakes can distract reviewers and undermine their confidence in your organization. Read your proposal aloud to catch errors you might miss when reading silently. In addition, it is important to evaluate your content. Make sure you are directly addressing the program’s priorities throughout your proposal. Double-check that you are directly answering what the funder is asking clearly and succinctly. If you find any section unnecessarily wordy or veering off-topic, edit or delete them for clarity and focus.
STEP #3: ENSURE THE PROPOSAL HAS ONE VOICE
When multiple team members contribute to different sections of a proposal – such as the budget, narrative, or needs statement – it can be a great strategy that enables more ease in the proposal development However, the end result will be a document that reflects varying writing styles. To combat that, assign one person to do a final edit of the entire proposal to create a cohesive voice and smooth flow throughout.
STEP #4: GET A SECOND (OR THIRD) SET OF EYES TO REVIEW
After reviewing your proposal multiple times, it is easy to overlook errors or unclear sections. Ask colleagues to review your proposal and provide feedback. They may catch undefined acronyms, overly technical language, or other elements that might confuse a funder. Likewise, they may find grammar or spelling errors you missed. The more perspectives you gather, the stronger your proposal will become.
STEP #5: ONE FINAL CHECK OF THE GUIDANCE
Before hitting “submit,” revisit the NOFO one last time. Confirm that all requirements are met, and all documents are in order. Completing this final review can provide peace of mind and allow you to submit your proposal with confidence.
By following these steps, you will finish with a more competitive proposal and ultimately maximize your chances of securing funding. Good luck!
