Grant Writing 101

At the ACLU of Alabama, we are committed to sharing resources with organizations whose vision for a more just and equitable Alabama aligns with our own. Funding is a critical element of social justice work; however, for smaller organizations without dedicated fundraising staff, it can be hard to know where to start. We hope the resources provided here will save your team some time and effort so that you can focus on the work you’re passionate about.

Let’s start with the basics.

What is a grant? A grant is a monetary gift given to an organization, generally from a government or foundation, for a specific purpose, such as supporting education, research, or community development. Grants are often awarded competitively and require applicants to submit proposals outlining their project's goals and objectives.

We've broken down the process below so you and your organization to get the funding you need and get to work!

How do I find a grant?

Get started finding the right grants and funders for your organization.

Assess your needs.

One of the most important steps in securing a grant is the initial research phase. Start by getting clear of what it is you need funding for. Most grants are divided into general funding and project-specific funding. So first, figure out whether you need money for general operating costs (i.e. staffing), or if you are looking to fund a specific project (i.e. voter registration.) Of course, there may be some overlap, for example, if you are hiring a specific contractor or employee to manage the project, but this is a good place to start.

Look for alignment.

Once you’ve figured out your needs, look for foundations that can meet those needs. Reach out to your network and let them know that you are seeking grant funding and be specific about what you are seeking funding for. Google is your best friend. Search for local and national foundations whose mission aligns with your organization. For example, if you want to fund a voter registration project in Alabama, search for “foundations that give grants for voting rights”; “foundations that support democracy”; “open grant funding for social justice work”.

Make connections.

Once you’ve identified a list of foundations that may apply to your work, go to each website, read about their available grants, and check to see if they have open applications. Some foundations allow organizations to apply cold; others require an invitation. If an invitation is required, reach back out to your network to see if anyone has a connection and can make an introduction. Don’t be afraid to be persistent!

How do I apply for a grant?

You've done your research– now it's time to apply!

Now that you’ve found an open grant that relates to your work, you will need to fill out a grant application. Every application is different, but there are general guidelines that apply to all grants.

First, make sure you fully understand the foundation’s mission and values. It will be important for you to demonstrate how those values align with your own organization’s project work.

Second, tap into the heart and passion behind your work. The best grant applications are a marriage between passion and data. In crafting your narrative, these are some basic steps to follow:

Identify the problem you are trying to solve. Use statistics and metrics to demonstrate the size/scope of the problem.
Explain your solution: how will the project you propose address the problem you outlined?
Be prepared to explain how the project will be implemented, step by step.
Outline your metrics for success, i.e. “we will have succeeded if we register X number of people to vote.” Be thoughtful and realistic because if you receive the grant funding, you will have to report on those metrics down the road.
Position yourself as the best organization to solve this problem. Maybe you have unique ties to the community or maybe the skillsets of your team members apply directly to this issue.
Demonstrate how this project aligns with the values of the foundation you are asking for funding. If you are applying for a specific fund within a foundation, make sure you are specific to that fund.

While writing your application, remember that you are telling a story. Yes, the story needs to be highly logical and backed by clear data, but it should speak directly to the person reading the application. Details that show passion and expertise without detracting from your core messaging will make your application memorable.

How do I create a budget?

Have a plan to put your funding to work!

Most grant applications require a budget demonstrating how you will spend requested funds if your application is approved. Here are some tips for presenting a clear and cohesive budget:

The budget should be created in a spreadsheet or table for clarity, with each line item accounted for.

Think holistically about your project and everything that will be needed from cost of materials, to travel, and follow-up. List everything you will need to successfully complete your project and make your best research-based estimate of associated costs.

Once you have listed everything, look at what funds are available through the organization.

Even if you cannot complete your full project with the available funds, you can adjust the scale of your project or make it clear to the foundation that you will be supplementing with additional funds. If this is the case, be prepared to explain how you will adjust if those funds aren’t secured.