Three 'Must-Do's' for Grant Applications

Grant applications are always competitive. After all, what business doesn't want a bit more money or support?

So, how do you make your application stand out from the crowd.

Here are three winning ways to make a solid grant application:

1. Read the guidelines and make sure you fit the criteria – many people fail because they don’t match the application to the selection criteria.

2. Answer the questions with real data where possible – don’t use anecdotal evidence. There are lots of places to find good data, including local government who keep stats on population, employment trends, and can offer assistance with economic modelling.

3. Ring the Funder - they will give you valuable insight as to how your business or project will matches that of the funding organisation. It’s a good way to workshop the criteria, always seek clarification and source any frequently asked questions.

Following these guidelines won't guarantee success, but it might help your application to stand out from the pack.

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Gretchen is Council's Grants and Business Support Officer. She reads lots of grant programs and sees lots of applications. These tips came from a recent grant writing workshop delivered to the Surf Coast community. If you have a question on grants or are considering applying, contact Gretchen for advice on 5261 0600