From Blank Page to Final Draft in 7 days

Day 1: Understand the Grant & Gather Materials

• Carefully read the grant guidelines and eligibility criteria.

• Identify key funder priorities and required sections.

• Collect organizational documents, financials, and past grant info.

Day 2: Outline Your Proposal

• Create a detailed outline based on the funder’s required sections.

• Draft clear goals, objectives, and project description points.

Day 3: Write the Needs Statement and Project Description

• Explain the problem or need your project addresses with data and stories (check out our guide to writing a case for support, and don't forget data! And new types of data!)

• Describe your project’s activities, timeline, and expected outcomes. (Check out our advice on establishing measures of success)

Day 4: Develop the Budget and Budget Narrative

• Work with finance staff to draft a realistic, funder-friendly budget.

• Write a budget narrative explaining each cost.

Here are our tips on budgets:

• https://www.puregrant.com/articles/your-budget-matters

• https://www.puregrant.com/articles/indirect-costs

Day 5: Draft the Executive Summary and Organizational Information

• Write a compelling summary that highlights your project’s impact.

• Include your nonprofit’s mission, history, and qualifications.

• Consider a tool like PureGrant to get your draft started quickly.

Day 6: Edit and Refine the Proposal

• Review for clarity, consistency, and adherence to guidelines.

• Get feedback from colleagues or mentors.

• Proofread for grammar and formatting.

Day 7: Finalize and Submit

• Ensure all attachments and required documents are included.

• Double-check submission instructions.

• Submit before the deadline.

Tip: Use tools like PureGrant to streamline content creation and keep track of requirements. PureGrant is designed to take the stress and guesswork out of grantwriting. Our platform helps nonprofits organize their grant applications, track deadlines, and craft tailored narratives that resonate with funders—all in one place. Whether you’re new to grantwriting or a seasoned pro, PureGrant’s tools streamline your workflow so you can focus more on impact and less on paperwork. With features like integrated research, collaborative editing, and more, PureGrant empowers your team to submit stronger applications with less hassle.

Sheena Link is a grantwriter, nonprofit strategist, and Co-Founder & COO of PureGrant. After years of helping nonprofits craft compelling applications, she’s on a mission to make the process faster, smarter, and less painful. She writes about funding strategies and what really works in development. Reach her at sheena@puregrant.com.