8 Grantwriting Tips to Make Your Applications Stand Out
Practical advice straight from the Athens County Foundation team
Whether you’re applying for your first grant or your tenth, we’re glad you’re here. We know grantwriting can feel a little intimidating, but you don’t have to go it alone. We’ve put together some tips to help guide you through the process, and remind you that we’re here to support you, not just as a funder, but as a partner in making good things happen for Athens County.
1. Let's Get to Know Each Other
One of the best ways to strengthen your application is simply to connect with us. We love learning about the work you’re doing, the people you serve, and the impact you’re making. Reach out to introduce yourself, schedule a quick meeting, or stop and chat when you see us out in the community. Whether it’s through one of our events, leadership programs, or an email conversation, building that relationship helps us better understand how we can support your work.
2. Make the Mission Match
Before you dive into writing, take a look at our funding priorities and strategic goals. Your application will be stronger if it clearly shows how your work aligns with the Foundation’s mission. Start with your “why”—what drives your work, who it serves, and how it connects to the bigger picture. Use a mix of data and real-life stories to bring your vision to life in a way that feels both meaningful and grounded.
3. Lean Into Your Strengths
You’re already doing important, impactful work. Don’t be afraid to talk about your wins—big or small. Share the ways your organization has made a difference, adapted in tough times, and found creative solutions. We’re looking for partners who can confidently name their strengths and also recognize when they need support. Both are signs of strong, self-aware leadership—and that’s exactly what moves our community forward.
4. Be Real With Us
You don’t have to have everything perfectly figured out. We value honesty and openness just as much as strong plans and strategies. If you’re still learning, evolving, or facing challenges, say so. We respect the work that goes into every step of the journey—and transparency helps us trust and support each other more fully.
5. Collaboration Counts
We believe lasting change happens when people work together. If your project includes partnerships with other groups, community members, or organizations, make that clear in your application. If you have letters of support, feel free to include them. And if you’re still looking for the right partners, let us know—we may be able to help you connect.
6. Show the Impact
We want to understand how your work makes a difference. Use data, stories, or quotes to show what impact you’ve had so far and what you hope to achieve with support from the Foundation. We’re especially interested in long-term outcomes and how your project will continue to grow over time.
7. Work Smarter, Not Harder
Good news: you don’t have to start from scratch. If you’ve written similar proposals or descriptions before, feel free to reuse or adapt them. You can also use tools, like AI writing assistants, to help organize your thoughts or polish your writing. Just make sure your unique voice and intentions still come through. We care most about hearing from you.
If you’re applying for more than one opportunity in our system, you can use the copy function to save time. Just remember to double-check everything before submitting. Need help? Check out our portal tutorial or reach out—we’re happy to walk you through it.
8. Rejection is Not the End
Not every application gets funded, and we know that can be disappointing. But we’re here for the long haul. If your proposal isn’t selected, please don’t hesitate to ask for feedback. We’ll do our best to offer helpful insights so you can come back stronger next time. Sometimes a “not yet” is just part of the journey.
At the Athens County Foundation, we’re rooting for you. We believe in your ideas, your dedication, and your ability to make a difference. Whether this is your first time applying or you're a returning grantee, we’re excited to see what’s next for you, and how we can help you get there. Let’s build something great, together.
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