Grant writing is an organised process that involves completing various sections before submitting a proposal to secure funding. For many organisations, the challenge lies in translating a project vision into a funder’s precise language, often determining the difference between a rejection and an award. To assist in this process, several institutions and organisations have made successful grant proposals publicly available. These documents serve as valuable resources, illustrating how to structure arguments, present budgets, and demonstrate potential impact effectively.
Several universities and non-profit entities have shared detailed examples of winning proposals. Purdue University, for instance, shared a winning proposal with OpenGrants, a free GitHub-powered resource. This detailed and scholarly proposal focuses on a university-wide inclusivity project and features a budget that is clear and easy to grasp. While many of the proposals available on this resource are extremely technical and complex, they offer excellent examples of well-written and well-presented funding proposals.
In the field of technology and innovation, Pepperdine University provides a sample grant proposal for the information technology sector. This example offers a perfect outline for how to organise proposals and write a summary. It illustrates how to accurately describe a research project and format the project idea, objectives, and schedule clearly for the funder. Similarly, the State Science & Technology Institute (SSTI), which focuses on technology-based economic development, shared a sample grant application for nonprofits in the category of "Improving Competitiveness of Existing Industries." This grant illustrates how clear organisation is key to winning; it contains a well-written abstract, background on the programme, and the overall impact.
Examples are also available for the education sector. The Salem Education Foundation provides grants and scholarships to teachers, principals, students, and organisations that share its vision for bettering public education. Their sample grant proposal demonstrates how to request funds for enrichment opportunities, such as history education, which can help schools provide students with an excellent education. The sample draws from successful applications to provide examples of the sort of data and content the funder is looking for.
Health-related grant applications often require compelling data and a strong statement of need. Prevention Plus Wellness, a for-profit company selling youth fitness curricula to nonprofits, offers a well-written sample proposal for funding. This document is notable for its project description and statement of need, which are well-researched and cite respected sources of data. Another example, the Rainbow Teen Safe Space proposal, focuses on establishing an LGBTQI+ youth centre in Seoul, South Korea. This proposal is a strong example of incorporating data into a compelling narrative, with a statement of need that really makes the case for a safe place for gender-diverse youth. The University of Arkansas for Medical Science also provides a funded proposal to the National Cancer Institute that focuses on engaging community pharmacies to increase vaccinations against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The project abstract makes a strong case, states the compelling need, and explains why the proposed programme will make a positive impact on community health outcomes.
For those interested in agriculture and food security, the Ministry of Agriculture and Sustainable Development offers a 72-page project proposal. This massive document is a perfect example of how to format longer proposals into easy-to-read and understandable sections, even including a list of acronyms which are important in this sector. In the realm of animal welfare and conservation, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development provides an example grant application for an animal welfare grant programme, specifically focusing on the welfare of companion animals and wildlife. This example illustrates how to provide a comprehensive overview in this nonprofit sector.
Arts organisations can also find specific guidance. Ballet Austin provides a sample template for smaller ballet companies wishing to gain funding for holiday performances of Tchaikovsky’s "The Nutcracker." The programme implementation and evaluation sections of this proposal are particularly worth a look. Additionally, the Conservation Trust for North Carolina offers a winning funding proposal to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. This solidly constructed proposal includes excellent project, program, and stakeholder descriptions.
When reviewing these successful grant proposals, it is important to pay attention to the writing style. The writing in successful proposals flows, is clear, and is error-free. It is essential to proofread work for spelling and grammar. Tools such as Grammarly’s free version or Hemingway can help check for errors and improve readability. It is also important to note how the best grant writing samples handle jargon; everyday acronyms at an organisation may be unclear to a foundation’s proposal review team.
Financial transparency is another critical component. A well-prepared grant budget is critical to securing the award and funding. It builds trust between the applicant and the grantor and helps track all expenses against the planned budget. For those looking to start building their own nonprofit budget, using a template can be a quick way to get started.
Conclusion
The availability of free grant writing samples provides a vital toolkit for nonprofits and organisations seeking funding. By studying examples from diverse sectors—such as technology, education, health, and the arts—applicants can learn how to structure their proposals, write compelling narratives, and present clear budgets. These resources, ranging from university proposals to specific sector applications, demonstrate the importance of clarity, data-driven arguments, and financial transparency in securing support for important projects.