Basic suggestions for effective grant writing
1. Use the most current grant application information.
To submit a grant application to the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County, you need a copy of our current grant application. Our website, has the most recent version of the grant application. If you have any questions about the application or the supporting documentation required, contact the staff at 812-945-4332 or email. Remember that our deadlines are the 31st of March and the 31st of August each year.
2. Complete your application ahead of time. We strongly advise that you complete your application at least a week early to allow the HFFC staff to review your application. We are glad to help if we can. This will give you the opportunity to make necessary corrections or add missing materials before the actual deadline. We will NOT accept applications or corrections after the deadline date.
3. Is your proposal neat, clean, and easy to read? Did you follow the grant application format? Number each section of your grant application just as our application is laid out. It helps committee members find the necessary information. Make sure there are no typographical errors.
4. Check the HFFC web site for historical background of our grant-making. Are you asking more than typically granted? Have we funded this type of project before? Will your proposal duplicate a service already provided in our community?
5. Include ALL documentation. Follow the instructions explicitly and answer all questions. The cover page should be on the top of all copies submitted-not cover letters, brochures, etc. A one page grant summary is page two. Every board member and grants committee member will read your grant summary. All copies should be identical and in the order requested.
6. Submit ONLY standard size paper (8 1/2x 11) and avoid binding other than paper clips. Don’t use extravagant packaging or spiral binding. Send us the original and four copies, (total of five). Keep a copy of your application for future reference. We will not return or copy any materials. Do not send by certified or registered mail.
7. Make sure the project budget adds up! Provide reasonable, detailed budget of the project. Reviewers will recognize deliberately under-budgeted or padded requests. Applications with budgets that include other sources of funding have historically been more successful.
Many of our applicants struggle with providing the “detailed budget for the project” on their application. Our Grants Committee needs to see the total cost of your project, the various costs in detail, and what sources of funding (including HFFC request) will be paying for these items. A spreadsheet format often appears to satisfy this requirement easily.
8. Do your homework on costs. Provide price lists or written estimates as attachments. Include competing estimates or bids is helpful (no more than three) if the work/project will be contracted. Justify all equipment to be purchased. Why is the equipment or specified model necessary? Make sure the project budget is clear and adds up.
9. Avoid Unsupported Assumptions. Statistics are helpful to justify your proposal, but statistics specific to FloydCounty residents will provide a better argument for funding. How many FloydCounty residents have been served in the past or are projected to be served by your proposal if funded? What is the source and relevance of these statistics?
10. Write your proposal in understandable English. Avoid jargon, abbreviations, and acronyms. Ask someone who is not familiar with the project to read and critique your application. Are they able to understand and clearly explain what your project is, the cost, and the results you hope to achieve?
11. Make it brief! The proper length of a proposal is just long enough to clearly communicate your message and request but not so long that the grant reader gets lost in the verbiage. A proposal should be at least two (2) pages long, but rarely over ten (10) pages.
12. Connect to developmental asset building where possible and be positive
If appropriate, connect your application to the 40 developmental assets for children and youth. HFFC is a partner with Youth Count and wants to help advance the movement in FloydCounty to help our youth succeed. More information is available about this initiative at
812-945-4332
Jerry Finn- Executive Director
Rose Schilmiller- Program Director