Ever wonder what goes on in the minds of grant reviewers? We tend to crave that kind of insight, right? Our team recently had the invaluable experience of serving as volunteer reviewers for grant applications for the “Unfunded List.” Our President, Diane, has been serving as a reviewer since 2016, and members of our team have been serving as reviewers as well since 2023. Yet again, it was an eye-opening exercise that not only gave us a POV from behind the curtain of grant review but also highlighted and reinforced our current best practices for creating compelling and competitive grant applications.

Here’s a look at what stood out and what you can do to strengthen your next grant application:

Solid Storytelling Is Critical

One of the biggest takeaways was the need for concrete examples of how a project will make a difference. We saw applications that felt very broad, and as one of our team members, Julie, put it, “One application felt like the program was very elective, but not for any specific population.”

TLDR: Don’t just describe your program; illustrate its impact. Who specifically will benefit, and how? Paint a complete picture of the change you’re making.

Be Realistic about the Project’s Intentions and Its Alignment with the Funder 

Accuracy isn’t just about being factual; it’s about building trust. Reviewers can spot inconsistencies. Maggie, Julie, and Beth all emphasized the importance of being accurate with eligibility quizzes—don’t just rush through them or make hopeful assumptions.

Budgets also need to be realistic. Julie recalled an application that included “electric toothbrushes for <$10, which reviewers may question the feasibility of, so providing details on the quote/purchase order would confirm the realism of the numbers.” And Beth pointed out a request for “$25,000 to help 30,000 people,” which raised questions about feasibility.

In addition, if you’re promising innovation, make sure the project is truly new and the innovative approach is clearly articulated.

TLDR:  Double-check every detail. Ensure that your project is a good fit, your budget is believable, and your proposed reach aligns with your requested funds.

Find a Fresh Perspective

It’s easy to get too close to your own work. Beth suggested seeking out a fresh set of eyes for portal checks, completeness, etc. This helps catch oversights you might miss. On a related note, if you use placeholders in your application or portal (i.e., “I’ll add that updated number later”), make sure they’re clearly marked (highlighted, for example) so you don’t accidentally submit an incomplete application.

Also, Christa reminded us to “think as though you are someone who doesn’t know anything about your organization” as you tell your story. And Julie echoed this with the simple phrase, “Outside eyes.”

TLDR: Have someone unfamiliar with your project and the proposal documents review your application. They’ll spot areas that might be unclear or incomplete.

Will you become a reviewer for the Unfunded List?