In the competitive world of grant writing, clarity is your greatest asset. Funders often have limited time to review each proposal, so it’s essential to communicate your project’s purpose, value, and impact as quickly and clearly as possible. A well-written, straightforward proposal grabs attention and ensures that your message resonates with reviewers, increasing your chances of success. 

Propose With Clarity: How to Make Your Grant Proposal Stand Out 

Here’s how to craft a compelling grant proposal that funders will understand and support. 

Why Clarity Matters in Grant Writing 

Grant proposals are often reviewed by multiple people, not all of whom may be experts in your field. Using clear, accessible language ensures that everyone can grasp the importance of your project. A confusing or overly technical proposal risks losing the reader’s interest, no matter how great your idea might be.

Clarity shows professionalism, demonstrates confidence in your project, and helps funders focus on what matters most—your objectives and the impact you aim to achieve. 

4 Key Strategies for Clear Grant Proposals 

1. Use Simple, Straightforward Language 

Avoid jargon, technical terms, or overly complex sentences unless they are absolutely necessary—and always provide an explanation if you use them.

Instead of:
"Leverage pedagogical methodologies to enhance educational outcomes,"
Say:
"Use proven teaching methods to improve student performance."

Clear, simple language makes your proposal accessible to all reviewers, ensuring they can quickly understand your project’s value. 

2. Structure for Readability

A well-structured proposal is easier to skim and digest. Funders often skim proposals initially, so make it easy for them to spot the key points.

• Use Clear Subheadings: Break up sections to guide the reader through your proposal.
• Write Short Paragraphs: Keep paragraphs concise to maintain the reader’s attention.
• Include Bullet Points: Highlight key objectives, milestones, or outcomes in a list format for quick reference.

Good structure enhances comprehension and ensures your message isn’t lost in dense text.

3. Start with a Compelling Summary 

The opening of your proposal sets the tone and draws the reader in. Start with a strong, engaging summary that outlines your project’s main objective and the impact you hope to achieve.

Example:
"This project will provide literacy training to 300 rural students, improving their reading levels by 20% within 12 months, empowering them for future success."

A compelling summary grabs attention, establishes the project’s purpose, and encourages funders to keep reading. 

4. Be Specific 

Vagueness dilutes your proposal’s impact. Instead of general statements, provide concrete details about what you plan to do. 

Instead of: "Provide educational resources,"
Say: "Distribute 500 customised learning kits and conduct 10 teacher-led workshops to improve literacy skills among rural students."

Specificity demonstrates that you’ve thoroughly planned your project and gives funders a clear picture of the results they can expect.

Adopt an Outsider’s Perspective 

When reviewing your proposal, put yourself in the shoes of someone unfamiliar with your project. Ask yourself:

• Is the core message clear?
• Would someone outside my field understand the objectives and value of this project?
• Are all sections concise and focused on one main idea?

Highlight Key Information: Use italic or bold text sparingly to emphasise the most critical details, ensuring they don’t get overlooked.

Keep Sections Concise: Each section should focus on one primary idea to avoid overwhelming the reader with too much information at once.

Actionable Tips for Improving Clarity 

1. Read Your Proposal Aloud: Hearing your words helps identify sentences that sound unclear or overly complicated.
2. Get a Peer Review: Have someone else read your proposal to provide feedback and catch anything you may have missed.
3. Ensure Coherence: Make sure every part of your proposal contributes to a cohesive, compelling narrative.

Propose With Confidence 

Clarity is the cornerstone of effective grant writing. When you use simple language, structure your proposal for readability, start with a compelling summary, and provide specific details, you'll create a proposal that funders can easily understand and support. 

Ready to refine your grant proposals further? Download our free IMPACTFUL Guide PDF for more actionable strategies to create proposals that win funding. 

Get Your Free IMPACTFUL Guide Now 

 

"I'm working on this blog to help nonprofits write better grant proposals, improve their outreach, and scale their impact. It's something I care about deeply, and I hope you find it helpful. If you have feedback or thoughts, I'd love to hear them!" Lee Fox-Smith - CEO of Quest Language Solutions