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How a SWOT Analysis Can Improve Your Grant Proposals

Writer's picture: Bria  ArlineBria Arline

Updated: Sep 23, 2024


If you want to win grants, before you put words to the page, you need to analyze what aspects of your program are most important to highlight for the funder and which need some tweaking before you reach out for funding. 


But how can you streamline the process? 


A SWOT design is a framework you can use to improve your grant proposals, including helping you design a solid project during the strategy stage and the strengths you want to highlight for funders. 


What is a SWOT Analysis? 


A SWOT analysis is a tool that allows you to visualize the main aspects impacting the success of your organization’s program or project. 


Elements of SWOT analysis are either internal or external.


Internal:


  • Strengths- e.g., the internal strengths of your program.

  • Weakness- e.g., the gaps in your program delivery plan.


External:


  • Opportunities- the external benefits that help your program be a success. 

  • Threats- the external factors that can hinder your program’s success.


A SWOT analysis will give you an overview of your project and what steps you need to take to improve your goals.


How to Use a SWOT Analysis in Your Grant Proposals


Imagine that you are writing a grant proposal for a school mentoring program. The funder is specifically looking for programs that impact under-served students. 


Strengths- Your organization is connected to a large network of community leaders willing to volunteer their time.


Weakness- Your organization is not connected to any Title I schools.


Opportunities- You have conducted your program for two years at local Boys and Girls Clubs that are willing to write strong letters of support for you. 


Threats- Your local government is in the red, meaning funding for local afterschool programming may be lower. 


This overview can show how to leverage your strengths in your argument and guide your executive team on next steps—e.g., reaching out to build relationships with Title I schools or creating a sustainability plan for the program if you lose government funding.


Letting the funder know that you identified these gaps and worked to close them shows that your team knows how to create a strong plan, building trust that you can carry through on your proposed project. 



Conclusion


A SWOT analysis can guide you as you build a case for why your proposed project or program will be a success. 


Want to learn more? Here are some helpful questions and a template for nonprofits to consider as you and your team create your SWOT analysis. 


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