Affordable Tools Every Grant Writer Needs

A writer surrounded by various affordable tools, including a laptop, notebooks, sticky notes, pens, and reference books, illustrating the essential resources every grant writer needs to be effective and organized.

As a grant writer, you know how important it is to have the right tools at your disposal. These tools can streamline your process, improve your efficiency, and increase your chances of securing funding.

Here, we have compiled a list of essential tools ranging from "Must-Haves" to "Nice-to-Haves" to help you in your grant writing journey.

Must-Haves

Google Workspace

Overview: Google Workspace offers a suite of cloud-based productivity tools perfect for collaboration.

Features:

Docs: Real-time document editing.
Sheets: Data management and analysis.
Drive: Secure cloud storage for your files.

Price: Starts at $6 per user per month.

A collection of Google tools, including Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Calendar, and Google Drive icons, showcasing the suite of productivity tools available for grant writers to streamline their work.

Grammarly

Overview: Grammarly is an AI-powered writing assistant that helps you write clear and error-free proposals.

Features:

Grammar and Spell Check: Automatic corrections and suggestions.
Style Suggestions: Improve clarity and conciseness.
Plagiarism Detection: Ensure your work is original.

Price: Free version available; Premium starts at $12 per month.

A screenshot of the Grammarly interface, displaying its writing assistance features such as grammar and spelling checks, style suggestions, and overall writing improvement tools, essential for grant writers to produce polished and professional proposals.

Good-to-Haves

Trello

Overview: Trello is a project management tool that uses boards, lists, and cards to help you organize tasks.

Features:

Boards and Cards: Visualize your workflow.
Checklists: Break down tasks into manageable steps.
Labels and Tags: Prioritize and categorize tasks.

Price: Free version available; Business Class starts at $10 per user per month.

A screenshot of the Trello interface, showcasing its project management features with boards, lists, and cards, helping grant writers organize tasks, deadlines, and collaborate effectively on grant proposals.

Canva

Overview: Canva is a graphic design tool that simplifies the creation of visually appealing documents.

Features:

Templates: Access to a wide range of customizable templates.
Drag-and-Drop Editor: Easy-to-use interface for quick designs.
Collaboration: Share designs with team members for feedback.

Price: Free version available; Pro starts at $12.95 per month.

A screenshot of the Canva interface, displaying various document templates such as presentations and reports, highlighting the design capabilities that grant writers can utilize to create visually appealing and professional documents.

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Find some major tools, data and trends used by grant writing professionals from various parts of the world in our 2024 Comprehensive Grant Writing Report. Find out the techniques and grant writing strategies they get funding with ⬇

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Nice-to-Haves

Evernote

Overview: Evernote is a note-taking app that helps you organize your thoughts and research.

Features:

Notes and Notebooks: Keep your information organized.
Web Clipper: Save articles and webpages for reference.
Search Functionality: Quickly find what you need.

Price: Free version available; Premium starts at $7.99 per month.

A screenshot of the Evernote interface, displaying organized notes, notebooks, and tags, showcasing the powerful note-taking and organizational features that grant writers can use to keep track of research and ideas.

Slack

Overview: Slack is a messaging app designed for teams, facilitating communication and collaboration.

Features:

Channels: Organize conversations by topic.
Direct Messages: Communicate privately with team members.
File Sharing: Share documents and collaborate in real-time.

Price: Free version available; Standard plan starts at $6.67 per user per month.

A screenshot of the Slack interface, showcasing its channels, direct messages, and integrations, highlighting how grant writers can use this communication platform to collaborate effectively with team members.

The Final Word: GrantWrite

Overview: GrantWrite is the ultimate tool for grant writers, combining several powerful features to streamline your grant searching and proposal writing process.

Features:

Org Profile: Set up your organization’s profile for tailored searches.
Team Members: Invite collaborators to work together seamlessly.
Grant Search: Utilize AI-powered searches to find relevant grants.
File Uploads: Store all grant-related files in one place.
Documents and Templates: Create and manage various documents with AI-enhanced writing and templates.
Grant Board: Use a Kanban-style board to track the status of grants.
Grants Calendar: Keep track of deadlines and set reminders.
Conversations: Centralize all chats, including grant searches.

Price: Free version available; Basic plan starts at $10 per user per month.

A dynamic screenshot of the GrantWrite interface, showcasing its powerful features such as AI-generated prompts, proposal templates, and real-time collaboration tools, illustrating its comprehensive capabilities for grant writers.

To HAVE or Not to Have. . .?

With these affordable tools, you can handle every proposal on your desk with ease.

Essentials like Grammarly and Google Workspace set the foundation, while highly recommended tools like Trello and Canva boost your productivity. And, of course, the nice-to-haves like Slack and Evernote add that extra sparkle.

But most importantly, GrantWriteAI is here to transform your grant writing experience.

If you have any questions about the software, shoot me an email at [email protected] or schedule a call.

Happy writing, and may the grants be ever in your favor!

A laptop surrounded by sticky notes, with a prominent note saying 'Do it now,' symbolizing the urgency and proactive approach needed in grant writing and project management.

And for more information on what other grant writing professionals are doing . . .

Use the Comprehensive Report for All Things Grant Writing 2024 by GrantWrite.

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About The Author

Sarah Thompson is a dynamic grant writer with a passion for storytelling and a heart for making a difference. With over five years of experience in the non-profit sector, she specializes in weaving compelling narratives that capture the essence of her organization's mission and the impactful work they do. Sarah's expertise spans a broad range of causes, from environmental conservation to community development, and her successful track record in securing grants reflects her dedication and skill. Beyond her professional achievements, Sarah is an avid blogger, sharing insights, tips, and reflections on the art and science of grant writing. Her conversational and insightful posts aim to demystify the grant writing process, offering valuable guidance to both newbies and seasoned professionals. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys exploring the great outdoors, indulging her love for photography, and volunteering at local community centers.