You know how to make your grant application stand out to funders, and how to avoid common data pitfalls in demonstrating your impact.

Yet data alone isn’t enough to convince funders—your application needs a strong, compelling case backed by real insights. Funders want to know that your program is not only needed but also effective, and that you truly understand the communities you serve.

This activity will help your staff connect the dots between data, community feedback, and a persuasive grant narrative that funders can’t ignore.

Ready to sharpen your funding appeal? Let’s get started.

Objective

Help staff practice integrating research and community insights into a compelling grant application by identifying relevant data, crafting a strong case for funding, and refining their storytelling approach.

This activity is ideal for:

• Funding and grant making staff
• Staff responsible for leading data collection and sense making processes
• Anyone interested in applying evaluative thinking 

What you’ll need:

• Recent community needs assessment, program evaluation reports, or external research relevant to your program
• Sample grant application questions (or a real application your organization is working on)
• Highlighters, sticky notes, or digital collaboration tools 
• Around 80 minutes for time management