Free Grant Applications

Free Grant Applications

You probably heard of free grants before. Free grants are money from government funds awarded to organizations that have major projects deemed to benefit the community. Contrary to its name, free grants come with strings attached – whether in the form of obligations or sanctions in case you break any of the rules set down by your grant provider.

It can be quite tedious applying for free grants, though a lot of people may say that it's easy as pie. Free grant applications involves several steps, not to mention several considerations, all of which contribute to the approval of your application.

Below are some strategies to help you with your free grant applications:

Research

The most important step in free grant applications is research. When you apply for a grant, most grant makers require you to submit a project proposal of the program you have in mind. If your proposal has nothing to do with the aims or goals of the foundation offering you the grant, there's every chance your free grant application won't even make it through the first stage. That is why research is very important.

Research the funding interest of a foundation before applying for a grant. If you can, obtain a copy of their annual report and/or their guidelines. Base your project proposal on these guidelines and make sure you have everything in order before submitting your free grant application.

The Application Process

Each organization may have different free grant application process. So just because you already know how one foundation does it, it doesn't mean that you already know how everything works. One foundation may handle it this way, while the other may handle it in a completely different manner. So, for each free grant application that you submit, make sure that you familiarize yourself with the funder's application process.

Timetable, preferred method of initial contact, and other such factors are important things to know when determining a foundation's free grant application process. Take note that there are some funders that accept proposals only after an initial phone call, query letter, or pre-application form.

Cover Letter

If you want a sure-fire way for your free grant application to attract the attention of your funders, then include a cover letter in your application. The cover letter must be brief and must outline the link between your proposal and the funder's interests. At least one paragraph of your cover letter must include a brief summary of your project.

Format, etc.

Most grant makers will provide you with a format to follow for your free grant application. Some can be very strict in enforcing this format. If a format is provided, make sure you follow it, or risk having your free grant application trashed. Also, during your initial queries, your funder may have provided you with specific instructions pertaining to your proposal and free grant application. Make sure you follow these instructions.

If you funder requests for additional information, give it to them. It's difficult sometimes to meet all the requirements of a grant maker so don't be surprised if you get a call after you submit your free grant application. At any rate, that call usually means that your proposal already passed the first stage of approval.