Essential Grant Writing Tips for Small Nonprofits to Secure Funding

Powered by Purpose. Backed by Exousia.

Five smiling women hold a large "NON PROFIT" sign featuring stick figures labeled "kindness," "giving," and "care," symbolizing community and support.

4.1-mini

Let’s be real: writing a grant proposal can feel like preparing for a job interview and a math test… at the same time… while juggling five other things.

If you’re running a small nonprofit, you might not have a full-time grant writer—or even a dedicated fundraising team. That’s okay. At Exousia, we’ve been where you are. Since 2020, we’ve helped grassroots organizations unlock over $2 million in funding with a mix of faith, strategy, and no-fluff support.

Let’s walk through the key steps to grant writing—Exousia-style.

Step 1: Find the Right Grant—Not Just Any Grant

Small Nonprofit Truth: You don’t have time to waste chasing the wrong money.

🔍 Try This:

Before you start writing, answer this in your notebook or Notes app:

“Does this funder share our mission, values, or target population?”

If not? Keep scrolling.

💡Exousia Pro Tip:

We offer grant research and data services that help you find the RIGHT grants—ones that align with your mission and are attainable for smaller organizations. No more fishing in the dark.

Step 2: Customize It Like You Mean It

Tempted to copy-paste the last proposal you wrote? We get it. But funders want to feel seen—just like you do.

🔧 Interactive Exercise:

Write down the funder’s top 3 priorities from their website. Then, match each one with something your program does.

For example:

If they care about “community health,” show them how your youth mentoring program improves mental wellness and reduces risky behavior.

💡Exousia Pro Tip:

In our coaching programs, we teach you how to “mirror” funder language naturally—so you’re speaking their language without sounding robotic.

🔗 Explore 1:1 Coaching

Step 3: Tell a Story, Not Just a Statistic

Numbers are important—but stories move people.

🧩 Story Starter Activity:

Write a 5-sentence story about one person your program helped. Focus on the before-and-after. You can keep it anonymous but make it real.

✨ “When Maria first came to our after-school program, she struggled with anxiety and skipped class often. Six months later, she was attending every session, helping younger kids with homework, and even led a mental health workshop for her peers.”

💡Exousia Pro Tip:

Our team has helped organizations like yours craft narratives that funders remember. We combine data and human impact—like a grant-writing mixtape.

🔗 Work with our Grant Writers

Step 4: Set SMART Goals That Aren’t Just Buzzwords

Every funder wants measurable outcomes. But they don’t want you to promise the moon on a shoestring.

📋 Checklist Before You Submit Goals:

• Is this goal Specific?

• Can we Measure this?

• Is it actually Achievable with our resources?

• Does it feel Relevant to our mission?

• Is it Time-bound?

Example of a SMART goal:

“By June 2025, we will provide 10 weekly financial literacy classes to at least 75 single mothers in Detroit.”

💡Exousia Pro Tip:

We help you build logic models and outcome statements that impress grant reviewers without overpromising.

🔗 Ask us about Program Planning and Development Coaching.

Step 5: Make Your Budget a Trust-Building Tool

A good budget isn’t just numbers—it’s a story in spreadsheet form.

💡 Budget Do’s:

• Be transparent about salaries, admin costs, and materials.

• Include explanations for line items funders may not recognize.

• Don’t hide operating costs—show how they support the mission.

  
  

💡Exousia Pro Tip:

We’ve helped small nonprofits explain tough budget lines (like staff training or software) in ways that build trust, not suspicion.

Step 6: Obsess Over the Guidelines (Yes, Really)

You could write the perfect proposal, but if it’s missing a document or 100 words too long—it might never get read.

📂 Pre-Submission Quick Check:

• Did I follow page limits?

• Did I answer every question?

• Are all attachments named clearly and included?

• Did I proofread for typos?

💡Exousia Pro Tip:

We offer submission review services, so your proposal gets a second pair of eyes before hitting "submit."

Step 7: Build Relationships, Not Just Proposals

Even the best application can’t compete with a strong connection.

📬 Try This:

Send a short email to the program officer:

“Hi [Name], I lead a small nonprofit working in [your area]. I’m interested in [Grant Name] and wanted to confirm whether our program aligns with your current funding priorities. Would you be open to a brief chat or email exchange?”

💡Exousia Pro Tip:

We help you build and nurture funder relationships as part of your long-term strategy—not just one-off proposals.

Step 8: Rejection ≠ Failure

Grants are competitive. If you get a no, don’t quit—get curious.

🧠 Reflection Prompt:

• What did we learn from this process?

• What feedback did we receive (or could we ask for)?

• How can we refine our approach next time?

  
  

💡Exousia Pro Tip:

We offer post-submission debriefs and support to help you turn a “no” into your next “yes.”

Final Word from Exousia

At Exousia, we’re not just consultants—we’re your mission partners. We believe small nonprofits like yours are changing the world every day. You deserve funding, support, and guidance tailored to your size, voice, and calling.

We’ve been down this road, and we’re ready to walk it with you—every step of the way.

🔗 Let’s Get to Work » Click HERE to schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation call!