Need Funding For Non-Profit? Create a Grant Proposal Template PDF

Part 1. What Is a Template for Grant Proposals? 

A grant proposal template for nonprofit is a pre-designed document in Word, Google Docs, PDF, or other formats that you use to request funding from different organizations for your projects.  

These proposals often require a lot of time and energy to write. This is because they include details like:

• Goals of the project
• The mission of the organization
• Budget requirements
• Expected outcomes of the project
• Plans for evaluation and sustainability.
• Why the organization deserves funding.

That’s why creating a template helps you reuse the basic structure while sending a grant proposal to different sectors so you don’t have to start from scratch.

Part 2. How To Download Nonprofit Grant Proposal Budget Template?

Creating a grant proposal template for nonprofit organizations is a bit difficult. The good news is you can download a pre-built PDF template, then fill in the details in the empty fields, and save your time in the process.  

Here are the top 3 resources to find sample nonprofit grant proposal templates:

• Template.net (You can also directly download a free grant proposal budget template in Excelformat on this site.

• Smartsheet.com
• Paperform.co

Part 3. How To Create a Grant Proposal Template

Writing a grant proposal template rather than downloading it from a source is sometimes the best alternative. Why? The headings and fields you want to include might be missing in the downloadable PDF template, or there are other things you want to add that you can’t find in it.

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to structure and format a nonprofit grant proposal template in Google Docs or Word document that you can use repeatedly:

Step 1. Make a Cover Page and Executive Summary

The cover page, or you may call it a cover letter, gives the funders a quick overview of your organization, the objectives of your project, and how it matches the funder’s goals.

Simply create a new document on Google Docs or Word. Click Insert > Header or Footer to include the contact information, submission date, email, and mailing address.

Then, add the project name in the center of the page (with at least 24pt font size) and mention your organization name.

Type "Executive Summary" (apply H2 tag) on the next page. Then, highlight the project details, along with the main purposes and how the fund will help in getting the desired outcomes.   

Then, briefly explain how your project addresses the interests of the granter.

Step 2. Include Table of Contents and Organizational Overview

Next, go to the References (Word) or Insert (Google Docs) tab, click Table of Contents, and choose the one you prefer. Now, use H1, H2, or H3 tags that will guide the decision-makers through your proposal with ease.

Then, add an Organization Overview heading (H2) and address the following points to create trust with the funders by offering a clear picture:

• Your mission
• Organization history
• Other current initiatives or projects you are running

Step 3. Highlight the Need, Outline the Project Description, and Define the Goals

Now, add a Statement of Need section to outline the issues your project is going to address and use credible case studies, facts, and figures to back up your claim.

On the next page, write Project Description and apply another H2 tag to make it a heading. Then, include this information about the project:

• Primary activities
• Timeline of different phases
• The resources you’ll need to complete it
• Expected positive results
• The target population or community that will benefit from the program

After that, include a sub-section (H3) under Project Description to define the goals of your initiative. Clearly mention what you want to achieve and how these objectives will resolve the identified need.

Step 4. Define Budget

The budget provides a detailed financial plan for how you’ll distribute and manage the fund.

Provide a clear “Budget” heading (H2) on the document, go to the Insert tab, click Table, and create a table to discuss a breakdown of the expenses into categories based on the project. Do mention any other sources of funding (if any) and avoid overstating or understating the needs.

Step 5. Include Plans & Appendices

In this step, discuss different plans for measuring the success of the project and make sure it will continue until the final stage.

First, add an Evaluation Plan heading and discuss how you’ll spend the funds. This will help the funders to understand that you have a proper timeline and plan to collect, track, and assess everything.

Then, include the Financial Sustainability Plan H2 and explain your long-term planning to continue the project after the fund money stops rolling in. Provide detailed strategies for securing future funding, partnerships, and alternative revenue sources.

Finally, add appendices with any supporting documents, such as:

• IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter
• Board of Directors List
• Annual Reports or Financial Statements.
• Letters of Support

Step 6. Formatting Tips and Saving the File as PDF

Lastly, select Page Number under the Insert menu to add page numbers to the file so funders can easily navigate through it. Also, use professional fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri with 11-12 pt size.

Finally, go to File > Save As > PDF (Word) or File > Download > PDF Document (Docs).

Part 4. How To Edit Non Profit Grant Proposal Template

You can edit the nonprofit grant proposal template you created using Word or Google Docs (saved as a PDF file), using software like Afirstsoft PDF. This helps if you need to make any final touches or add fields for customization later.

Here’s how:  

1. Right-click the grant proposal PDF template and choose Open With Afirstsoft PDF. Otherwise, open the app, click + or Open, select the file from your PC, and choose Open to import it.

2. Head to the Edit tab, click Edit All or Edit Text, select the section where you want to add or remove the content of the template and start typing. To add a new section to the file, choose Add Text, click anywhere on the page, and enter your text.

3. You can also access the Properties panel on the right side of the screen to change the font style, color, or size and adjust the boldness, italicization, or alignment of the new sections to match the rest of the template.

4. To remove unwanted content from the template, right-click its text box and choose Delete.

5. Afirstsoft PDF also lets you add related images to the template. To do this, click Add Image under the Edit tab, select your photos, and place them in the desired location. To add your organization's link to the file, click Add Link and select the text. Then, set the appearance settings, provide your website link, and click Apply.

6. Finally, click File, select Save or Save As from the menu, and choose the folder to save the grant template. Alternatively, click Export and choose Excel to make a grant proposal budget template Excel.

If you need to print the template for your next project, simply click the Print icon at the top left corner of the screen or press Ctrl+P to open the Print window. Set the basic, page, and print mode settings and click Print to get a physical copy.

Part 5. Conclusion

To conclude, you’ve learned the steps to create a well-structured grant proposal template PDF for your nonprofit organization to clearly present your information and secure funding for different projects.

Afirstsoft PDF is reliable software for quickly editing these templates and making sure your proposal is ready for submission.

So, go on install Afirstsoft PDF now on your computer and manage your grant proposals effortlessly.