How to Get Your Organization Grant-Ready in 4 Easy Steps
What you need to have in place before you apply for funding
Securing grant funding takes more than a strong mission—it takes preparation. Funders want to see that your organization is organized, accountable, and capable of managing funds and delivering results. This guide walks you through the core materials and practices you’ll need before applying, plus a checklist of commonly requested documents.
Step 1: Establish Organizational Credibility
Funders look for stability and transparency. Before applying, make sure your core documents are in place and up to date.
✅ Organizational Readiness Checklist:
IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter
Mission and vision statements
Current list of board members with affiliations
Organizational chart (or basic structure of staff roles)
Organizational budget (current fiscal year, projected and actual)
Most recent IRS Form 990 or audited financial statements
Basic internal financial policies (procurement, travel, expense approvals)
Program summaries or fact sheets
Where PureGrant can help: Store all of these materials in one place using PureGrant’s document manager, so you’re not scrambling every time an application asks for a board list or latest 990.
Step 2: Clarify Your Programs and Outcomes
Funders want to understand what your programs do and what difference they make. Be ready to clearly describe your work and its impact.
✅ Program Clarity Checklist:
Description of each core program (who it serves, how it operates)
Clear goals and intended outcomes
Metrics you’re tracking (and how you track them)
Stories or examples of community impact
Evidence that your approach is effective
Where PureGrant can help: Use PureGrant’s AI tools to draft, edit, and refine your program descriptions—saving time and helping you communicate impact clearly and consistently.
Step 3: Craft a Clear and Cohesive Narrative
A grant proposal isn’t just a form—it’s a chance to tell your story in a way that aligns with a funder’s priorities.
✅ Narrative Prep Checklist:
Brief organizational history (the “why” behind your mission)
Statement of need (supported by data and/or community voice)
Description of your solution (and why it works)
Connection between your work and broader impact
Where PureGrant can help: PureGrant helps you craft funder-specific narratives, drawing from your existing content and tailoring language to match different requirements and priorities.
Step 4: Assemble a Grant Toolkit
A strong set of standard documents will save you time and ensure consistency across proposals. These are the materials you’ll be asked for most often.
✅ Core Attachments Checklist:
IRS determination letter
Current year org budget
Program/project budget (if applicable)
Most recent 990 or audit
Board list with affiliations
Key staff bios or resumes
Letters of support or testimonials (if relevant)
Logic model or theory of change (for larger grants)
Where PureGrant can help: Upload and tag these documents inside PureGrant so you can easily reuse them across applications—and never submit outdated materials by mistake.
Step 5: Be Strategic About What You Apply For
Not every grant is the right fit—and applying for something you’re not ready to manage can do more harm than good.
✅ Before Applying, Ask:
Is this funder aligned with our mission and work?
Do we meet all the eligibility criteria?
Can we realistically meet the reporting requirements?
Is the funding amount worth the effort and oversight required?
Taking time to assess fit upfront increases your chances of success—and reduces wasted effort.
Final Thoughts
Being grant-ready is about more than compliance—it’s about building trust with funders and being equipped to deliver on what you promise. With a strong foundation in place, your organization is better positioned to write strong proposals, manage awards effectively, and grow sustainable funding relationships.
How PureGrant Can Help:
From organizing essential documents to crafting compelling narratives and program descriptions, PureGrant helps you build a strong grant toolkit and write with clarity—so you can spend less time managing proposals and more time advancing your mission.
Sheena Link is the co-founder of PureGrant, an AI-powered grantwriting platform that helps nonprofits write faster, stay organized, and focus on what matters most—serving their communities. She can be reached at sheena@puregrant.com.