How to Write a Successful Grant Application

How to Write a Successful Grant Application

A strong grant application has 3 parts:

  • A project idea that connects to a social issue with an achievable and measurable impact
  • A community partnership with clearly outlined roles and responsibilities
  • A project plan that includes goals, objectives, a timeline, and budget

Identify your project idea

Community partners must be a registered charity, society, cooperative, non-profit or public sector, community organization, First Nation, school, municipal, federal, or provincial government office. 

Partnerships are best built by fostering a relationship with the community organization.

Learn how to build a partnership with a community organization through the Reaching out to a Community Organization guide (pdf).

Build your project plan

Now that you have a project idea and a community partnership, it’s time to write your application!

Each individual grants page provides a detailed guide for answering each question in the grant application, and can support you in developing your project plan.

Prepare a budget

Plan how to allocate your project funding and expenses with this CCEL Grants Budget Template (xlsx).

Seek advising

From developing a project idea, to finding a community partner, to building a project plan, the Centre for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL) is available in person or virtually to support you with your ideas and any questions you may have.

Book an advising session with CCEL staff to brainstorm your project idea and learn more about our grants by emailing us at community.learning@ubc.ca.


For more information, check out our video series that will walk you through the entire grant application process!