Grant writing tips

We've outlined our tips and a step by step guide on how to prepare a grant application, including what you need to do beforehand, and how to ensure you tick the right boxes.

1. Check the criteria

Make sure your proposal is eligible.

Be clear on what you’re applying for - Is the proposal eligible? Check the criteria on our website.

If you need to change a project proposal to suit the grant, it probably isn't the right grant program for you.

The project should align with your strategic direction and values, and advance the work of the organisation.

2. Get in contact

Get feedback on your idea.

Get in touch with our Grants Manager. They can help talk through your idea, provide feedback, and advise on how to shape your proposal for the best chance of success.

3. Develop your idea

Address the key assessment criteria.

The key things we want to know about your project include:

What is the problem you have identified? How do you know? What is your evidence for this problem?

What are you going to do to address the problem?

What difference will your project make? Who will benefit?

You need to know this information to clearly communicate it.

4. Do some research

What resources, services and initiatives already exist?

What else is being done to address this problem?

What works and what doesn’t?

Is your organisation the best organisation to take on the project?

Check what has previously been funded through the Grants Program.

5. Develop your evaluation approach

Think about your measures of success.

How will you know that your project has been a success?

Set your goals and work out how you can measure if they have been reached.

6. Finalise your project planning

Connect with your partners or suppliers.

Think about the processes for delivering your project. What resources or partners will you need, and will there be a cost for these? While it might take some work to develop partnerships or source realistic costs and quotes, this shows us you’ve thought about what is required to bring your idea to life.

7. Consider the reader

Get someone else to review your application.

Get someone outside your team or organisation to read your application. Fresh eyes can help identify any gaps or areas that might be not clear to the assessors.

You might like to search online for other resources. There are plenty of tips from other organisations and government bodies online as well as grant writing sessions which may also be useful when preparing your application.

Got an idea for a grant project?

Contact us for more information.