Ignoring the funder’s mission and goals:

Applicants should make sure that their proposed project aligns with the mission and goals of the funding organization. Failure to do so will lead to rejection.

Failing to follow the application guidelines:

Many grant applications come with strict program guidelines, required document formats, multiple attachments, and word count limits that must be followed. Failing to adhere to these guidelines, including font size limits, can result in an automatic disqualification.

Lack of clarity and organization:

Grant applications should adhere to the funder’s required documentation and subject header order. The narrative should align with the budget costs, and each subject should be in chronological order and written in clear, concise language. If the application jumps around or is difficult to understand, reviewers may have a hard time evaluating its merits.

 Unrealistic or Unclear Budgets:

Did you align the budget with the proposal? One of the most common mistakes is not aligning the budget with the proposed activities in the grant proposal. The budget should accurately reflect all proposed costs and activities necessary to achieve stated project goals.

Failing to provide adequate evaluation measures:

Funders want to know how their investment will be evaluated and whether the proposed project has achieved the intended outcomes. Therefore, grant writers should provide clear and realistic evaluation measures to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed project.