10 tips for grant writing

Applying for grant funding can be a tiresome task.

Funding bodies often ask for a pile of information which can be daunting at times. So, here’s 10 tips for navigating your way through!

1. Have your shed information saved and ready to copy and paste for every application. Use our example template as a guide.
2. Read the funding guidelines very carefully. Check:
   • Is your shed eligible to apply?
   • Can your shed meet your objectives with the funds available?
   • What will not be funded?
   • Are there different categories of funding and separate application forms?
   • Do you understand the selection criteria?
3. Gather insight into the objectives of the funding body. Do some background reading to help you understand their values, strategic direction and what issues are important to them – and address these in your application.
4. Check the closing date and submission instructions so you can plan backwards from that date.
5. Allocate a shed member to ‘own’ the submission, to drive and lead the application process – and delegate where necessary. The submission owner must ensure:
   • All selection criteria are covered in the submission;
   • Any contributors understand what is required from them, and when;
   • All relevant information and attachments are included; and
   • The submission is lodged on or before the closing date.
6. Preparing your shed’s submission to meet the selection criteria should be a thoughtful process. Pull information together from a range of sources to demonstrate your need for funding and your shed’s capacity to deliver the proposed project.
   • Provide evidence (for example; statistics, ABS data, extracts from local or state government reports).
   • Demonstrate value for money.
   • Show commitment by demonstrating other means of raising funds to contribute to the proposed project.
7. Ensure you keep your application simple and concise. Address the questions, remembering that the person reviewing your application may not know anything about your shed or proposed project (so don’t assume they do!).
8. Check, check and double check. Once you’ve compiled a draft submission, have it reviewed by your Men’s Shed Committee to ensure the submission is free from errors and includes all required information.
9. Where possible, submit your application prior to the closing date. Ensure you have read the submission instructions as funding bodies are usually quite specific. Don’t let your hard work writing the application go to waste by failing to submit correctly.
10. Keep a copy of your complete submission (including attachments) for future reference.

Find out more about the Australian Government Department of Health NSDP Round 20 at mensshed.org