Published December 8, 2009

Writing a grant proposal can seem like an overwhelming undertaking, but really it's all about the planning. There are literally thousands of resources available to help you through this process. Purdue University Extension has created an outstanding grant planning guide that includes worksheets that help you gather and bring your information together in a timely and organized manner. The Foundation Center offers a free online tutorial that helps you identify the key steps in getting started with your grant proposal. The Foundation Center also offers numerous links to sample grant proposals online.

The Nonprofit Guides Web site has an excellent guide for grant writing. They offer an overview of each section along with numerous specific examples for each section.

When tackling the budget section of your grant you always want to make sure you are covering all of your bases. The USF Office of research has a very thorough grant writing guide that includes a listing of typical budget components along with budget calculators.

Applying for a federal grant can be a daunting task. Health and Human Services has created a detailed proposal writing guide that covers the many steps involved in writing a government proposal.

Almost all grants will want you to provide an evaluation of your program and its benefits. How do you know if your program was successful? The United Way has created an Outcome Measurement Resource Network that will help you find the right type of evaluation for your program. The American Evaluation Association covers numerous resources that will assist you in this critical process.