It is likely that the person(s) reviewing your grant application is not a subject matter expert. The reviewer may work for the funder, but in another department. Reviewers often have a stack of proposals to read. Some are paid a nominal amount to do so in their free time (after working all day). So it is critical that your proposal is: well-conceived, well-organized and well-written! If a reviewer doesn’t “get it” during its first read, forget it! Your agency will not receive funding.

Many RFPs are rather poorly written and require multiple reads to digest all of the important information. Sometimes, no matter how many times you read it, a part of the instructions may still not make sense. Chances are, if you’re confused, so is somebody else. Check the procurement’s FAQs online. If you don’t see an answer to your question, submit one. Keep checking those FAQs as this is the only way funders can legally distribute new information to all potential applicants once the RFP has been issued.

A Request for Proposals (RFP) is issued by a funder detailing the purpose of the funding, eligible applicants, key dates and application contents. The first step in responding to an RFP is to read it carefully, not once, not twice, but three times! Keep a highlighter handy to mark important instructions. Many RFPs are rather poorly written and take numerous reads to digest all of the important information.

Perhaps your online search yielded a long list of potential funders – foundations with an interest in your issue or target population. Before you send a proposal…before you even write a word, call the foundation! Be prepared to briefly describe your target audience and the program in need of funding. Confirm that the foundation would be interested in receiving a proposal from your agency.

Foundation’s interests change over time, and directories are not always up to date. Plus some interest areas are very broad (e.g. health or children), and the Foundation’s board may have created a priority list. It is best to call first before wasting valuable staff time.

Online databases such as The Foundation Center’s Foundation Directory Online (FDO) can be very useful tools. You can search for grants, review grantmaker profiles, research companies and review IRS Form 990s. Can’t afford a monthly subscription? Look for a Nonprofit Resource Center, part of a network of reference libraries established by The Foundation Center. The San Diego Foundation in Liberty Station is part of the Center’s network; it offers free access to the FDO (and more!).