9 Things Funders Want From Fundraisers in Grant Applications

Make sure your math is accurate. “Your budget needs to be reflective of what the proposal is,” Kennelly said. “It shouldn’t be padded. It shouldn’t be skimpy. Don’t just put the bare bones in there.”

Find creative ways to cover operating costs. “Very few funders just fund operations,” she said. “But you can't do the projects without the general operating costs. So you need to find creative ways to incorporate them in the budget.”