Non-Profit Grant Writing Research Checklist

A competitive grant proposal starts with funder research to confirm mission alignment, then follows the funder's exact format and submission requirements.

Non-profit staff often apply to funders without confirming genuine mission alignment, then spend hours on proposals unlikely to be funded regardless of writing quality.

Why This Happens

Grant writing under time pressure often skips the research phase entirely, jumping straight to writing without confirming the funder is actually a strong fit.

What's Inside

This checklist is interactive, click to check off items in your browser, plus printable if you'd rather keep it for team reference, and it covers funder research, proposal drafting, and submission review specific to institutional grant funding.

Quick Tips

Confirm the funder's mission aligns with your program before writing.

Follow the funder's specific format and word limits exactly.

Have a colleague review the draft before submission.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a funder is a good fit?

Check whether their stated mission and past funded programs align closely with your organization's work, since mismatched applications rarely succeed regardless of proposal quality.

What documents do I need before writing a grant proposal?

Common requirements include your organizational budget, 501c3 determination letter, and board member list, though exact needs vary by funder.

How important is following the exact format requested?

Very important, many funders disqualify proposals that don't follow specific formatting or word count requirements regardless of content quality.

How long before a deadline should I submit?

Submitting at least a day or two before the deadline avoids technical issues and last-minute problems that could jeopardize an otherwise strong proposal.