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Grant Proposal Development
Compelling, funder-ready proposals — written to communicate your mission clearly, meet funder requirements precisely, and stand out in a competitive review process.
A strong grant proposal is more than good writing. It’s a strategic document that tells your organization’s story in the exact language a funder needs to hear — matching their priorities, satisfying their requirements, and making a compelling case for why your organization deserves investment.
Most nonprofits struggle with proposals not because their work isn’t fundable, but because they don’t know how to translate what they do into what funders are looking for. RDB Consulting bridges that gap — bringing four decades of experience on both sides of the grantmaking table to every proposal we write.
What Grant Proposal Development Includes
Narrative Development
Full proposal narrative — needs statement, program description, goals and objectives, evaluation plan, and organizational capacity — written to each funder's specific guidelines.
Logic Model Development
Clear, funder-ready logic models that map your program's inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes — increasingly required by foundation and federal funders.
Budget & Budget Narrative
Detailed program budgets and written justifications that demonstrate financial credibility and show funders exactly how their investment will be used.
Letters of Inquiry (LOIs)
Concise, compelling letters of inquiry for funders that require a pre-application step — crafted to secure an invitation to submit a full proposal.
Supporting Documentation
Preparation and review of all required attachments — 990s, audits, board lists, organizational charts, letters of support, and program data — assembled to meet each funder's checklist.
Proposal Adaptation & Resubmission
Adapting existing proposals for new funders, incorporating funder feedback after a decline, and strengthening resubmissions to improve the likelihood of success.
The RDB difference
We've read grant proposals from the funder's side of the table.
Most grant writers have only ever written proposals — they’ve never sat on the other side and reviewed them. Randall has. With four decades of experience advising foundations on their grantmaking and helping nonprofits navigate funder relationships, he knows exactly what program officers are looking for, what raises red flags, and what makes a proposal rise to the top of a competitive review pile. That perspective is built into every proposal RDB Consulting produces.
We Write Proposals For Every Funder Type
Private Foundations
Community, family, and independent foundations — including small local funders and national grantmakers with Chicago or Detroit portfolios.
Corporate Funders
Corporate foundations and direct giving programs — aligned to your mission and the funder's community investment priorities.
Federal Agencies
HRSA, U.S. Dept. of Education, CSAP, and other federal agencies — including full Grants.gov submission support.
Government & Public Funders
State and local government funding programs — including Illinois and Michigan health, human services, and community development grants.
Our Proposal Development Process
Discovery
1
We start by learning your organization — mission, programs, population served, outcomes data, budget, and organizational history. The stronger our understanding, the stronger the proposal.
Funder alignment review
2
We review the target funder’s guidelines, priorities, past grantees, and review criteria — ensuring every proposal is precisely tailored rather than templated.
Draft development
3
Full proposal draft — narrative, logic model, budget, and all supporting sections — developed collaboratively with your team and reviewed for accuracy before submission.
Review & refinement
4
Your team reviews the draft and provides feedback. We refine until the proposal accurately represents your organization and makes the strongest possible case to the funder.
Submission & follow-up
5
We manage submission — whether through the funder’s online portal, Grants.gov, or direct mail — and support any post-submission follow-up or funder questions.
Your Mission Is Fundable. Let's Prove It.
A well-crafted proposal doesn’t just ask for money — it makes funders want to say yes. Let’s talk about your next grant opportunity and how RDB Consulting can help you make the strongest possible case.