Prepare and submit grant proposals

A grant application to the River Health Foundation is due next Tuesday; the program officer asked for the final budget and a two‑page narrative. Finalize the narrative to match the attached budget numbers, assemble the required certifications, and submit the PDF through the foundation portal by Monday evening — confirm the upload and email a copy to Maria in grants.

Before I send this grant proposal to the River Health Foundation, make it easier for the reviewer to award funding — put the measurable outcome up front, make the cost per outcome obvious, flag any line items that might trigger an overhead negotiation, and suggest one sentence that reassures the program officer about sustainability after the grant ends.

I just finished a call with Amy at the River Health Foundation; she asked how the project will continue after 18 months and sounded unconvinced. Our budget shows two staff positions funded only through the grant. I am afraid if I promise more I’ll commit unavailable funds, and if I hedge I’ll lose the award. What is the most credible explanation to offer now and the best next step to shore up Amy’s confidence without changing the budget?

In the last three declined applications, reviewers pointed to unclear sustainability and temporary staff costs. We keep reusing vague language about ‘seeking future funding’ and it costs us credibility. What single change in how we present post‑grant sustainability and one template paragraph can stop this from recurring starting with the next proposal?