Grant Application Review

About

A Grant Application Review is annotated feedback on the narrative portion of your grant application. I provide detailed feedback on on how to write better answers that will resonate with the funder. The result: certainty that you’re submitting your best application that clearly lays out your project plan, aligns with request for proposal (RFP) questions, and improves your chances of success. Bonus: use my notes to adapt your application for future funders!

What you get

You receive an annotated version of your grant application, with comments on what’s working, what isn’t, and suggested edits, in a Word document using tracked changes, plus advice on how to leverage what’s working for future applications. Annotations are limited to feedback on the narrative portion of the application–this is not a rewrite or copy edit of your grant. Logframes can be reviewed as the relate to the narrative, but they are not annotated. Budgets are not reviewed. 

Benefits

  • Detailed feedback you can use right now to improve the grant application
  • Use that same feedback to write better future applications
  • Gain a better understanding of the donor 
  • Learn how to better answer standard grant questions
  • Receive insight on how to leverage the reviewed application for future application success

How it works

First, we have a conversation to see if this is the right service for you. Reviews typically cost 750-1500 USD, depending on length and complexity of the application. I will give you my price in the call–no surprises! If it’s a fit, I’ll send you a payment link, and then you provide me with the original call for funding document (RFP) (or web link, if there is no document) a Word (not PDF) version of your draft proposal, and one background document you believe will be helpful for context. Once payment is processed and the documents received, I’ll get to work on the review. Usually, you will receive feedback within 72 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. Short turnaround time (less than 72 hours) are possible, and incur a premium. Book a chat with me and we’ll discuss.

Right for you if…

The grant review is best suited for grant applications that answer questions defined by an RFP or funding call. It is also best suited for complete drafts–I do not fill in any blanks for you. 

How to buy

Book a 15-minute call with me to discuss your needs. If it’s a fit, I’ll email you a link to purchase.

Book 15 minute chat
Testimonials
“Kelly was very helpful in supporting the charity to narrow in on our strengths and develop a long term vision for fund-raising to support our development. I would highly recommend working with her.”
- Vanessa Currie, Executive Director, International Institute for Child Rights in Development
"Kelly completed all grant writing tasks to a good standard. She has excellent communication skills, so there were never issues with miscommunication or misunderstanding of aims and deadlines. Great work!"

- Alice Bletsoe, Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (UK)

“What I appreciate about Kelly is her naturally strategic mind (she started talking about the 5-year plan in our first conversation) and her evident comfort with grant writing and positioning. Most of all, I appreciate her dedication to supporting us as a client and her focus on clarity…She has a creative and practical style that has really helped me see how different dots can be connected and leveraged to make our grant writing process easier and at the same time improve our business processes.”
- Franz Plangger, Executive Director, The Outdoor Council of Canada
“Kelly did a great job organizing our strategic operating plan, including developing concise, prioritized goals and strategies. She worked until a solid product was in place.”

- Andy Telfer, Executive Director, WITS Programs Foundation Canada

Kelly is extremely competent and insightful. She is a quick study and really listens, which is critical to an effective fundraising collaboration. She has helped us to successfully access hundreds of thousands in grant funding and is a joy to work with. I highly recommend her firm.

- Diana Gibson, Executive Director, Community Social Planning Council

"I wanted to learn from Kelly because of her extensive knowledge of international grant funding. In our Funding Strategy Call, Kelly broke down strategies for three international nonprofit clients working in different sectors globally. She advised on partnerships, relationship building with funding agencies, and international grant databases. I highly recommend Kelly."
- Rose Hedberg, Grant Writer

Before collaborating with Kelly, we at the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) had engaged other grant writers. Yet, Kelly's approach was transformative. Leveraging her extensive experience, she equipped us with strategies for budgeting and how to tailor applications to engage potential grantors. Now, we're reassessing our previous methods with increased confidence, anticipating greater success for our NGO.

-- Johny Messo, President, World Council of Arameans (Syriacs), the Netherlands