Grant Writing How To: Elevate Your Strategy with Written Progress
Let’s get one thing straight: grant writing isn’t just paperwork. It’s storytelling. It’s strategy. It’s the bridge between a bold idea and the funding that makes it real. At Written Progress, we specialize in making that bridge sturdy, effective, and reusable — so you’re not starting from scratch every time you apply.
For organizations focused on sustainability, there’s no room for trial-and-error approaches. You need results, and you need them without wasting time. That’s why we created our Grant Writing Accelerator—a service designed to sharpen your skills, streamline your process, and maximize your chances of winning funding.
What Makes the Grant Writing Accelerator Different?
Imagine this: instead of throwing hours into yet another one-off grant proposal, you’re using a system — a repeatable, effective way to tackle any funding opportunity. That’s what our Grant Writing Accelerator is all about.
With coaching, cutting-edge grant-writing software, and tailored feedback from experts, we don’t just help you land one grant. We set you up to win again and again.
The Blueprint for Grant Writing Success
So, what’s the secret sauce? It’s a mix of structured strategy, tools, and ongoing support. Let’s break it down:
Strategic Grant Assessment
It starts with clarity. Our first move is to sit down with your team (virtually or in person) and assess your goals, capacity, and existing resources. We help you refine your mission into something funders can’t resist.
Project Planning Made Simple
No funder wants to back a vague idea. They want details: timelines, milestones, and budgets that hold water. We guide you through crafting a detailed project plan that makes your proposal rock-solid.
Building Evergreen Content
Here’s the kicker: most grant applications have 80% of their content in common. Once you nail that core messaging, you’re not rewriting — you’re refining. Our team works with you to create a 40+ page document of detailed, funder-friendly language ready to tailor to any application.
Targeted Grant Mapping
If you’re not applying for the right grants, you’re wasting your time. We use our database, expertise, and insider knowledge to create a shortlist of opportunities that match your mission and capacity. No more wild goose chases — just high-potential targets.
Exclusive Access to Grant Writing Software
Why start from scratch when software can do the heavy lifting? We onboard you to invite-only grant writing tools that integrate your Custom Grant Template. The software completes up to 80% of each application for you, leaving you to focus on the fine-tuning.
Technical Reviews for Winning Proposals
Even the best writers need a second set of eyes. Our grant experts conduct rigorous technical reviews of your drafts, offering detailed feedback to sharpen your narratives, enhance alignment with funder priorities, and boost your chances of success.
Grant Coaching on Demand
Grant writing can feel isolating — but it doesn’t have to be. Your dedicated Grant Coach is just a message away, ready to provide guidance, answer questions, and offer encouragement whenever you hit a snag. Whether it’s 10 AM or 10 PM, we’ve got your back.
Grant Writing Classes vs. Accelerator: What’s Right for You?
Next, we give you the AI-informed tools to rapidly convert your template into an application, and we check your work and give you feedback while you do it.
And your grant coach is on call whenever you need her. Confused about those federal application instructions? We’ll walk you through it. Struggling to articulate impact metrics? We’ll refine them together.
Our Grant Writing Accelerator is learning by doing, with results you can see immediately.
But what if you’re still curious about grant classes? They can be a great option for individuals who want to deeply understand the grant writing process or for teams that have the bandwidth to invest in long-term skill-building.
At Written Progress, we also design custom writing workshops that blend structured teaching with practical application, ensuring every minute spent learning translates directly into your team’s success. Want to learn how to craft a winning executive summary or decode federal grant guidelines? We’ve got a session for that. Think of us as your personalized grant writing professors — minus the academic fluff and all about actionable results.
Learning Through Real-Life Applications: Better Than Grant Writing Classes
When it comes to grant writing, theory alone doesn’t cut it. You need hands-on experience, real-time feedback, and the ability to adapt to shifting priorities. That’s why our Grant Writing Accelerator focuses on practical, results-driven learning rather than theoretical lectures.
Unlike traditional grant writing classes that often rely on hypothetical scenarios, our approach is rooted in your organization’s actual needs. Imagine working on a live grant application for a major funding opportunity while receiving expert coaching and actionable feedback. Not only are you building your skills, you’re also actively pursuing funding in real-time.
- Real Projects, Real Stakes: You bring your current grant challenges to the table, and we work through them together. From dissecting complex application requirements to refining your project budget, each session adds value that’s immediately applicable.
- Learning While Doing: By integrating coaching into live projects, your team absorbs best practices naturally. It's not about sitting through a lesson — it's about applying those lessons directly to win grants.
- Custom Feedback: Every organization is different, and so is every funding opportunity. That’s why we focus on personalized strategies tailored to your mission, funder priorities, and team dynamics.
This active learning model ensures your team both understands the mechanics of grant writing while mastering the art of compelling storytelling that resonates with funders.
From Novice to Pro: Scaling Grant Writing Skills Over Time
Grant writing isn’t a skill you master overnight. It’s a journey of continuous improvement, and at Written Progress, we’re committed to being your guide every step of the way. Our Grant Writing Accelerator evolves with you, helping teams at every stage — whether you’re just starting or aiming to refine an already strong process.Your mission deserves funding. And your team deserves the grant writing how to without burnout or endless trial-and-error.
With Written Progress, you’re building a system that works. Whether you’re chasing your first big win or aiming to scale your efforts, we can help.
Tools of the Trade: Why Software Matters
Grant writing isn’t just about the words — it’s about the workflow. That’s why every client in our Accelerator gets access to advanced grant-writing software. Think automated formatting, built-in compliance checks, and smart features that flag weak points before you hit submit.
Here’s why this matters:
Efficiency
Automate repetitive tasks like formatting and compliance checks, saving your team hours per application.
Quality Assurance
Highlight potential weak points or areas needing clarification before submission, so your proposal is polished and professional.
Compliance
Don’t rely on memory to ensure you’re ticking all the boxes. Let the software take care of crossing your t's and dotting your i’s.
Data Management
Centralize all your grant applications and templates, making it easier to track progress, manage deadlines, and streamline revisions.
Momentum
The more applications you complete, the more fully and accurately your software will be able to complete future drafts for you. It’s a virtuous cycle.
We know the biggest stressors in grant writing — tight deadlines, overwhelming data, and the pressure to stand out. This software is more than a tool; it’s peace of mind.
Why Build Internal Capacity?
Some organizations prefer the full-service route, outsourcing every grant to a professional. That’s great if you’ve got the budget — but what if you don’t? And what if you don’t have the grant writing how to either? What if you’re growing fast and need to write three proposals at once? Building internal capacity isn’t just cost-effective; it’s empowering. With the Accelerator, your team becomes its own grant-writing powerhouse.
When you invest in your team’s skills, you’re future-proofing your organization. Imagine having in-house experts who can tackle complex applications without missing a beat. That’s what internal capacity delivers: resilience, independence, and the ability to scale your efforts on your terms.
Our Grant Writing Accelerator is all about transferring expertise and making it stick. It’s about creating a culture where grant writing isn’t a scramble but a structured, confident process on cruise control.
Real-World Results: Success Stories from the Accelerator
The International Biochar Initiative (IBI) is a global leader in pushing the boundaries of carbon removal through biochar. As their existing grant funding neared its end, IBI’s full-time business development professional faced a daunting challenge: improving the competitiveness of their grant applications without blowing through their budget. That’s where Written Progress came in.
With Isabelle as their on-demand Grant Coach, IBI gained expert guidance exactly when and where it was needed. We walked their team through advanced grant-writing software, provided sharp, detailed feedback, and conducted technical reviews that turned their applications from good to exceptional.
This tailored approach empowered IBI to enhance their grant-writing process without overstretching their resources. By the end, they weren’t just submitting stronger applications — they were building long-term capacity, positioning themselves for continued success in securing the funding needed to advance their groundbreaking work.
Common Grant Writing Pitfalls (and How We Help You Avoid Them)
Procrastination Station
We’ve all seen it — teams scrambling to finish applications hours before the deadline. Our Accelerator emphasizes proactive planning so you’re never in a last-minute crunch.
Data Overload
Too much info and funders tune out; too little and you lose credibility. We teach you how to strike the perfect balance with clear, compelling metrics.
Cookie-Cutter Proposals
Copy-paste jobs don’t win grants. We help you tailor each application to the funder’s specific priorities without reinventing the wheel every time.
Speaking Your Language, Not Theirs
Funders need to see how your work aligns with their goals. Swap your jargon for their terms, and frame your project from their perspective.
Who Is the Accelerator For?
Teams tired of hiring freelancers for every application.
Maybe you’ve been burned by the costs or lack of consistency that come with outsourcing. The Accelerator ensures you develop a long-term, in-house system that’s just as effective and much more sustainable.
Organizations ready to scale their funding efforts.
If your team has the ambition, this program equips you with the tools and skills to pursue larger grants without feeling overwhelmed.
Teams eager to build grant-writing confidence and competence.
Whether you’re stepping into grant writing for the first time or aiming to refine your existing approach, the Accelerator builds expertise while delivering tangible results.
Commitment is Key
The Grant Writing Accelerator is designed for teams ready to invest the time and effort into writing. Like any accelerator or coaching program, its success depends on your commitment — what you put in directly shapes what you get out.
For teams who don’t have the time or interest in developing their own grant writing skills, our Full-Service Grant Writing packages provide a seamless, start-to-finish solution. Let us handle the entire process while you focus on what you do best.
Why Choose Written Progress?
We’re not your typical grant writing firm. Here’s what sets us apart:
Decades of Expertise
With over $40 million secured for clients, we know what works. Our multilingual team brings credentials and deep knowledge across fields like climate action, conservation, and social equity.
Flexible Support
Our most successful clients are our ongoing partners. Like any good long-term relationship, our support evolves as your needs do. That’s why we keep things flexible enough to scale services up or down based on your budget and priorities.
Results That Speak for Themselves
You can expect to see your win rates go from 10% to 50-80%. That’s not luck—it’s strategy, systems, and skill.
Ready to Take the Guesswork Out of Grant Writing?
Your mission deserves funding. And your team deserves the grant writing how to without burnout or endless trial-and-error.
With Written Progress, you’re building a system that works. Whether you’re chasing your first big win or aiming to scale your efforts, we can help.