How to Write Goals, Objectives, and Outcomes Grant Funders Will Love!

Even though I included an exclamation mark at the end of the title of this article, doesn’t that sound dry as dust? Probably one of the biggest challenges grant writers face is trying to express meaningful and exciting goals and objectives and expected results in their applications. You most likely don’t want to a) bore the grant reviewer, b) seriously confuse them, or c) exasperate them to the point of throwing the aforementioned application in the nearest trash can. What is a good grant writer to do?

Successful grant writers understand that in the midst of a sea of ​​facts and figures, all grant funders really want is to understand how a proposed program will help solve the problem they are trying to address. Using the following techniques, you too can be a goal-setting, goal-setting, and results-producing rock star. Rock on!

Understand the difference between goals, objectives and results.

While a goal provides a general statement of the purpose of your program, objectives are more concrete and specific as to how the goal will be achieved. Your results should reflect what the expected result is at the end of the project period of your proposal.

For example, a community cancer wellness program targets cancer patients at risk of not receiving prescribed medical care due to lack of or underinsurance. Here is a suggested goal, objective, and outcome to be stated on the application.

Goal: The Cancer Wellness Foundation will help 1,000 patients receive prescribed medical treatment for their cancer diagnosis who would not otherwise have access to care.

Aim: Three hundred cancer patients will receive gas coupons who cannot afford transportation to and from their prescribed chemotherapy and radiation appointments.

Result: Ninety-five percent of cancer patients participating in the transport program will report receiving all chemotherapy and radiation treatments as prescribed by their physician.

Be as specific as possible.

Sponsors appreciate all the detail you can provide when writing measurable goals.

For example, an after-school program targets at-risk adolescent youth to help them complete their high school education.

An objective: Eighty-five percent of program participants will have a better understanding of reading and math skills, enabling them to complete graduation in the future.

A better goal: Eighty-five percent of program participants will earn at least one higher grade level by the end of the first year in the program.

Put a face to your facts and figures.

While statistics are an important element in conveying your need and urgency, try to include specific examples of clients you help that might paint a visual picture in the grant reviewer’s mind.

While the previous example provides some significant data, notice how the following example brings the program to life:

When Karen arrived at XYZ Youth Center, she was struggling and scared that she would not be able to complete her education. She had been skipping class at least twice a week and was two grades behind. Because Karen’s parents worked long hours to help support the family, she didn’t get the extra help or encouragement she needed at home. Referred by a social worker, Karen became a participant in the XYZ Program and began working with a mentor who provided one-on-one support. She also attended weekly support meetings with other children who, like Karen, were struggling. Six months later, Karen reported feeling less frustrated when she studied and even began to find her math and reading classes interesting. At the end of Karen’s first year in the program, she tested at her grade level and was excited to move up to the next grade with her class.

Remember, it may not be the most fun part of writing your grant application, but the goals and objectives section is important. The time it takes you to create meaningful program metrics is always time well spent.