Teaching Paper: Developing Effective Grant Proposals for Non-Profit Organizations

Securing grant funding is a lifeline for many non-profit organizations. This Teaching Paper introduces a structured grant proposal template with four essential sections: Executive Summary, Project Description, Budget, and Evaluation Plan. Each section is explained with practical tips to ensure alignment with funder expectations, clarity of objectives, and demonstrable impact. A case study illustrates how a women’s empowerment initiative in Kenya successfully applied the template to secure funding and deliver measurable results. Designed for both academics and practitioners, this resource bridges theory and practice, offering non-profits a clear and actionable framework to improve proposal quality, strengthen donor relationships, and enhance organizational sustainability.