Welcome to our guide on grant writing, designed specifically for the readers of the Disabled Citizens Alliance. Our mission is to empower individuals and organizations through accessible resources and advocacy.
Here are some key tips to enhance your grant writing skills:
- Understand the Funders: Research the organizations or foundations you are applying to. Tailor your proposal to align with their mission and funding priorities.
- Be Clear and Concise: Use straightforward language. Clearly articulate your project's goals, objectives, and the impact it will have on the community.
- Provide Evidence: Support your claims with data and research. Demonstrating the need for your project strengthens your proposal.
- Budget Wisely: Create a detailed budget that outlines how funds will be used. Ensure it aligns with your project goals and is realistic.
- Follow Guidelines: Adhere to the specific requirements outlined in each grant application. Pay attention to formatting, word limits, and submission deadlines.
- Review and Edit: Before submitting, review your proposal for clarity and correctness. Consider seeking feedback from peers or mentors.
By following these tips, you can improve your chances of securing funding for your initiatives. For more resources and support, feel free to explore additional materials provided by the Disabled Citizens Alliance.
Building Accessibility and Disability Inclusion Into Your Proposal
Proposals for disability-focused projects carry a particular responsibility: the way a project is designed and described should reflect the same values it aims to advance. Funders who support disability rights and community inclusion increasingly look for evidence that disabled people shape the work rather than simply benefit from it.
Show who is at the table
Explain how disabled people are involved in planning, delivering and evaluating the project. Advisory groups, paid roles for people with lived experience, and regular feedback sessions with participants all demonstrate that the principle of "nothing about us without us" is more than a slogan. Be specific about how input will be gathered and how it will change decisions.
Budget for access from the start
Access costs are often left out of early drafts and then squeezed in later. Include them as clear line items so reviewers can see you have thought them through. Common examples include:
- Sign language interpreters and real-time captioning for meetings and events
- Materials in plain language, large print, braille or accessible digital formats
- Accessible venue hire and accessible transport support for participants
- Stipends or compensation for community advisors' time
- Assistive technology or software needed by staff or volunteers
A funder who sees these costs listed upfront is more likely to trust that the project will genuinely reach its intended audience.
Measure outcomes that matter to participants
Numbers such as attendance figures are useful, but strong proposals also describe changes in independence, participation, confidence or access to services. Where possible, ask participants what success looks like to them and build those measures into your evaluation plan.
Make the application itself accessible
If you encounter an application portal or form that is difficult to use with a screen reader or other assistive technology, contact the funder early and ask about alternative formats or reasonable adjustments. Many funders are willing to help and appreciate the feedback.
Keep relationships going after the decision
Whether or not a bid succeeds, ask for reviewer comments where they are offered and keep funders updated on your work. For background data and policy context that can strengthen a needs statement, see our policy briefs and the wider collection on our resources page.
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