Alan Sharpe's Grant Writing Masterclass

The statement of need is the crucial grant section that defines the problem, proves demand with data, and shows how funding will change the world for those served.

Open with the stark fact that breast cancer kills, link preventive checkups to reduced death, and use data to prove the need and solution.

Learn to craft a compelling statement of need by localizing a dropout statistic to Chicago public schools, detailing consequences, root causes, and a data-driven solution for at-risk girls of color.

Turn a grant proposal statement of need into a concise elevator pitch that conveys urgency, scope, and impact with concrete language, using data, stories, and a clear call to action.

Learn to craft a concise statement of need for grant proposals by answering the funder's RFP with coal downturn challenges and steps taken, in clear language.

Clearly define the problem and who is affected in the statement of need, support with credible data, show urgency, and align the need with funder priorities to inspire action.

Align the project description with the identified community need and funder priorities, showing clear community benefits. Use funder language to demonstrate how the project advances their mission.

Learn how to craft a detailed project plan for grant proposals, outlining tasks, timeline, personnel, milestones, and logistics to help funders visualize implementation and assess feasibility.

Focus your grant proposal on outcomes and impact by linking activities to measurable benefits, quantifying results, and tying them to the statement of need to satisfy funders.

Use data, research, and evidence to prove need and justify your project, citing credible, up-to-date sources to show a proven approach and credibility to funders.

Explore how to write a grant project description that links statement of need to a locally sourced, sustainably produced nutrition plan, with clear goals, timeline, and measurable impact.

Define a project goal as the big-picture purpose, naming who you help, the service, and where impact occurs. Distinguish goals from objectives and outline specific beneficiaries, services, and location.

Craft clear, beneficiary-focused goal statements with action verbs and a four-question framework to show funder impact, including services for survivors of domestic violence in Seattle.

Tailor your project goal to funder priorities through upfront research, using anchor words to show how your work supports the funder's mission.

Learn the difference between goals and objectives and apply the smart framework to create specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound steps for grant proposals.

Develop an evaluation plan for grant proposals to show funders how you'll measure project success, including data to collect and how results will be used.

Define outputs and outcomes, distinguish what you do from what changes, and learn to measure with metrics funders trust, guiding a logic-model based evaluation.

Map your entire program on a one-page logic model that links inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes to impact, guiding planning, alignment, and evaluation for grant proposals.

Choose KPIs and data collection methods to make your evaluation plan measurable. Blend quantitative and qualitative data from surveys, interviews, and focus groups to show outcomes and outputs.

Learn to use formative and summative evaluations to monitor and prove project impact. Track progress during the project and measure final outcomes to satisfy funders.

Compare internal and external evaluators to understand cost, objectivity, and credibility. Use a simple framework to decide based on funder requirements, project size, resources, and long-term goals.

Learn to craft a clear evaluation plan narrative that answers what you measure, how, when, who conducts it, and how results will be used, with timelines and indicators.

Identify and avoid common grant writing pitfalls in evaluation plans by using concrete language, measuring outcomes with realistic key performance indicators, and aligning methods with funder expectations.

Explain why an evaluation plan matters to funders, showing how you'll measure outcomes, track progress, and align objectives with KPIs and timelines to build credibility and future funding.

Learn how grant proposals secure lasting impact by detailing programmatic and financial sustainability, showing what happens after the grant ends through concrete, funder-oriented plans and partnerships.

Learn to craft a sustainability plan that shows how the project continues after funding ends, detailing future grants, donations, earned income, partnerships, capacity, and mission alignment for lasting impact.

Craft a persuasive sustainability plan by detailing financial sustainability, organizational capacity, community and partnership support, and mission alignment with a clear long-term vision.

Write a sustainability plan that satisfies government funders by outlining continuation plans, future funding, institutionalizing the program, partner support, and a clear 3–5 year timeline.

Craft a sustainability plan for private foundation funders that demonstrates long-term growth, community engagement, volunteer involvement, in-kind support, and capacity building.

Align your sustainability plan with corporate funders’ goals to ensure long-term community impact, brand visibility, and measurable outcomes. Show a diversified funding strategy and partnerships beyond the initial grant.

Frame your sustainability plan with a confident vision, structure content around future funding, capacity, community support, and mission alignment, and use specific, funder-focused details to inspire confidence.

See why grant budgets matter, with a detailed, realistic estimate aligned to your narrative to satisfy funders.

Learn to read funder budget instructions and customize budgets to match each funder’s rules, including allowed overhead and eligible costs, using a clear five-step process.

Learn to distinguish direct costs from indirect costs in grant budgets, allocate shared expenses accurately, and align your figures with funder rules to create clear, fundable budgets.

Learn to estimate grant project expenses from a detailed plan, breaking work into tasks, researching real costs, and building clear, itemized line items with sensible contingencies.

Budget for staff, resources, and overhead by detailing personnel time, benefits, and salaries, then itemize resources with quantities and unit costs while tracking indirect costs within funder guidelines.

Format your grant budget exactly as funders request, using clear tables and precise line items. Double-check math and ensure the budget matches the proposal narrative and templates.

Build capital campaign budgets with hard costs, soft costs, and contingencies. Include sources and uses to show funders planning through construction and a clear, multi year plan.

Build multiyear and general support grant budgets that show year-by-year spending and evolving costs. Align these budgets with funder expectations, program focus, and organizational health.

Learn to include in-kind donations and matching contributions in grant proposal budgets, value them at fair market value, document on income and expense sides, and provide commitment letters when available.

Tailor budgets to government, foundation, and corporate funders with precise line-item formats and detailed cost rules. Align outcomes with the proposal and consider overhead policies, in-kind support, and sponsorship elements.

Learn to craft a strong budget narrative that explains each major cost, why it’s needed, and how you calculated it, aligned with the budget table to win funders.

Master the final budget review by confirming funder instructions, verifying math, and ensuring clear, specific line items match the narrative. Avoid math mistakes, mismatches, unallowable costs, and formatting errors.

Learn to write the organizational information section of a grant proposal to build credibility, outlining mission, programs, track record, key staff, and partnerships tailored to the funding request.

Learn to tailor your mission and history for grant proposals by clearly linking your purpose to the funded project and proving credibility with concise, milestone-driven history for funders.

Learn how to describe your programs, services, and expertise clearly and persuasively in the grant proposal, using specific numbers, target audiences, and relevant past results to build funders' confidence.

Showcase your track record with specific, relevant achievements and data that demonstrate measurable impact to funders in grant proposals. Use concise statistics and brief stories to prove results.

Demonstrate your organization's capacity by detailing staff leadership, board governance, and infrastructure to ensure on-time, on-budget project delivery for grant-funded initiatives.

Polish your organizational information section and tailor it to each grant by aligning your mission, programs, and achievements with the funder's priorities, guidelines, and page limits.