Writing a good grant proposal is not exactly rocket science, but there are certain rules and conventions that need to be followed for a proposal to be truly effective.

Too often, individuals writing grant proposals tend to underestimate the task and end up with a product that contains inaccurate, incomplete and inconsistent information. The secret to writing an effective grant proposal lies in knowing what the common pitfalls are and how to avoid them.

Here are the 5 pitfalls of grant writing that every good writer should learn to avoid:

Assuming the grant reviewer is an expert:

Grant writers often tend to assume that the reviewer will be an expert. Consequently they tend to fill their proposals with technical jargon, obscure acronyms and highly-specialized information that often only serve to confuse rather than clarify what exactly the proposal is about. While it’s important for a grant proposal to have an authoritative tone, it’s vital to keep the language simple, concise and free from buzzwords as much as possible.

Not following instructions:

Grant writers can sometimes be so carried away by their own eloquence and subject-matter knowledge that they tend to completely blow off instructions. Almost all grant proposals are required to adhere to specific rules and conventions. Ignoring these instructions is a sure-fire way of ensuring that a grant proposal ends up being rejected before it is read, even if it is a masterpiece in all other respects.

Not defining objectives clearly:

One of the top reasons why grant proposals get rejected is because of poorly defined project objectives. Grant proposals need to have measurable objectives in order for them to be funded. A good proposal will clearly explain what the project objectives are and it will provide a plan for meeting that objective. A good proposal also will contain details on project needs and requirements and provide accurate information on the budget and the time required to complete the project.

Making spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors:

Grant writers often are in such a rush to get their proposals in on time that they make the cardinal mistake of not proofreading their work. That oversight can result in proposals losing all credibility because they are so full of grammatical, spelling and other errors. Another common mistake is not editing the document so that it ends up containing redundant or even inconsistent information.

Inaccurate and false information:

Sometimes, grant writers in their anxiety to make a convincing case for their proposals end up padding it with inaccurate or poorly researched data. Such proposals will have little to no credibility with reviewers and are guaranteed to be rejected.

Securing a personal grant is highly competitive. Often, you’re application is being compared against leading grant writers, entrepenuers, and community leaders. The experts at Grants.com break down six smart simple tips to keep in mind to edge out the competition and win a personal grant.

1. Be Organized
Write in an organized fashion. Prior to actually writing your grant proposal, be sure to create an outline. Remember the days when you wrote papers in high school or college? The first section may be a simple “thesis” type of statement, in which you express the purpose of your project and how it will be impactful. Then, include an introduction paragraph about yourself and your organization. Next, include a bullet points for the problems you will address.

Include detailed objectives. Then, include a bullet point for the “results” section and anticipate the results that your project will achieve. Lastly, include a detailed budget of how the money will be needed and how it will be used.

2. Do Your Research
Figure out which organizations award the type of grant you are trying to land. Perhaps you want to do some research on a certain form of cancer. Well, maybe there is an organization you can partner with to apply for the grant. Learn and do what will help your proposal become an actual idea.

3. Be Specific
When you create your budget, do not be afraid to list every single expense you will incur. Often times you will not receive all the money you are seeking, but sometimes you will. When you write a budget, the more specific you are, the more serious you appear to the person reviewing your grant proposal.

4. Obtain References
When applying for grants, make sure you engage in effective networking. Perhaps a professor at a certain college has received numerous awards in the past. Then she may be able to write an effective letter of recommendation for you. This can only boost your application.

5. Be Brief
While you should be detailed in your writing, you should also be concise. Do not hand over 3,000 pages for a $1,000 to $4,000 request. No one will ever read that many pages.

6. Be Creative and Show the Impact
Think of every way your grant idea can positively influence the surrounding communities. Be sure to clearly articulate the benefits of your idea.

If you remember and implement these 6 tips then you will be well on your way to getting awarded a personal grant.

Many grant writers get their start working for funding of their own company or employer. Most often the companies are non profit organizations and the grant writing must be superb so the funding will be granted.

The first step in becoming a certified grant writer is to take grant writing classes. These classes are available online, through the Foundation Center or through other established grant writers. These classes will help writers become concise and persuasive while working on specifics of the grant writing process. They may include looking for people to grant money, creating the proposal and working on follow up documentation.

The second step should be finding books and publications centered on writing grants. These books are available on the Foundation Center website and will help find a library that contains the information needed. Reading other grant proposals will lend confidence to putting together the first grant. This will be especially helpful if you read samples that have been submitted to the same company where funding is needed again.

Another helpful experience in becoming a certified grant writer is to volunteer as one. There are companies such as Volunteer Match that can connect a volunteer with a specific organization. Being a volunteer can also open lines of communication with potential funders to establish whether the request will be honored. Volunteering allows a grant writer to start on little projects while building experience and confidence. Many foundations and organizations will provide letters of reference to future employers as well.

One important step in the certification process is to find out if the state being worked in requires certification. Some states require a proposal from beginning to end while others require the initial certification and continue to monitor the grant writer to see if any illegal activities are taking place.

Do not hesitate to apply for a grant writing job after a few completed proposals. If the proposals were successful, add them to a resume and submit to an employer. Grant writing is very time consuming but once connections have been established, it’s a job that will prove itself to be worthwhile time and time again. Always continue honing the skills necessary to be a successful grant writer. Brush up on writing skills, spelling and ways to persuade organizations to fund the grant. Certification is available to individuals who have proven proficiency in research and grant writing. Workshops are also available yearly after certification to network and learn new skills.

In these hard economic times, many organizations and individuals are looking for ways to meet their financial needs. One way is to apply for federal grants, which do not have to be repaid. These grants are available to United States citizens.

As part of the Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act, The Department of Health and Human Services administers over 1,000 federal grants and distributes over $500 billion annually.
The majority of these grants are for government, educational, and non-profit organizations; however, there are a few grants available for individuals.

There are 26 federal agencies offering grants. With some research, it is possible to find a grant that might help an organization or individual meet their financial obligations. There are websites that can help make that research easier. It is possible to apply for grants online in an easy step-by-step process.

Small Businesses

Specialized federal grants are also available to small business owners. These grants are not awarded to individuals who want to start-up a business, but these grants are offered to companies that augment or develop services to small businesses, such as technical and financial assistance.

Post-secondary Education

Students attending any post-secondary schools can apply for government grants. The grant awards can total up to $5,130. These federal grants are awarded based on financial need.

To apply for student grants, students must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form determines eligibility. After eligibility is established, students can apply for the various grants available through their various colleges and universities.

Disaster Relief

There are grants available to individuals who have been through a natural disaster, and their insurance companies are denying coverage. These grants are available to United States citizens whose places of residence are in a federal disaster-declared area. Grants are offered to cover their expenses.

American Indian Tribe Members

There are hundreds of grants available to members of the various American Indian Tribes. The grants help pay for housing, education and health care.

A grant is an award from the federal government to an individual or an organization, or even a state or local government entity. The grant is not a loan, so it does not have to be repaid. The issuance of the award, which is usually monetary in nature, is mutually beneficial to the government department and the recipient.

The potential recipient (or grantee) requests a grant from the government to fulfill a need, without incurring the full cost of that need or going into debt. The government entity issuing the grant benefits, by possibly meeting an objective of its departmental mission. For example, a local school district is in need of a library update but has no funding for such a project; a government department has the mission of making students competitive, and toward that end it issues grants for updating libraries. Both parties benefit from this type of funding approach.

While a grant is an award without need of repayment, there are stipulations that must be met, according to the grant’s terms and intent: a grant for student aid, to an individual, would most likely require that individual to pass the course and receive credit; a grant to a local police department for vehicles would, more than likely, not be allowed to be used for weapons. Whatever the stipulations may be, they are made clear prior to the award of the money.

Grants can be awarded for almost anything. One must simply qualify, according to the grant’s terms, and apply in accordance to the procedure outlined by the issuing department. The benefit for the government is that it can direct money to where its priorities are.

The benefit to the grantee is that the money is there to assist in accomplishing his or her goal, without incurring debt. Before seeking a loan, it would be of great value for one to check into the availability of a government grant. The chances are good that there is a grant that can meet the same needs, without the need for repayment.