For many nonprofits, the grant writing process can feel overwhelming. With deadlines looming and multiple sections to complete, a common question arises:
Should you start with the grant application or the executive summary?
The answer? Start with the executive summary.
While it may seem logical to tackle the application first, jumping straight into answering detailed questions can lead to inconsistent messaging, lack of clarity, and misalignment with funder priorities. Writing the executive summary first creates a strong foundation for your entire proposal, ensuring that every section aligns with a compelling, fundable story.
In this blog, we’ll break down the key differences between grant applications and executive summaries, explain why writing the summary first is the best strategy, and provide immediately actionable tips to help you streamline your grant writing process.
Grant Application vs. Executive Summary: What’s the Difference?
The Grant Application
A grant application is the complete, detailed document you submit to a funder. It typically includes sections on:
✅ Organization background – Your mission, history, and key programs
✅ Problem statement – The issue you address and why it matters
✅ Project description – The specific program or initiative you need funding for
✅ Budget – A breakdown of how you’ll use the funds
✅ Evaluation plan – How you will measure success
✅ Sustainability – How your organization will continue after the grant period
The grant application is often long, detailed, and specific to each funder’s requirements. While crucial, starting here without a clear framework can result in a scattered, unfocused proposal.
The Executive Summary
The executive summary is a one-page snapshot of your proposal. It provides a high-level overview of your funding request and serves as the first impression funders will have of your application.
A strong executive summary should include:
📌 Who you are – Your mission and the community you serve
📌 The problem you address – Why your work is important
📌 The funding request – How much you’re asking for and why
📌 The expected impact – The measurable outcomes of your project
📌 Alignment with the funder’s priorities – Why this funder is the right fit
Many funders read the executive summary first to decide whether to continue reviewing your full application. If this section isn’t compelling, they may stop reading altogether—which is why it’s essential to get it right.
Why You Should Write the Executive Summary First
1️⃣ It Creates a Clear, Focused Message
Writing the executive summary first forces you to define your funding request clearly before getting lost in application details. By outlining your mission, problem, and impact upfront, you ensure that every section of the proposal aligns with your core message.
📌 Actionable Tip: Start by answering these questions in one or two sentences each:
What is your nonprofit’s mission?
What problem are you solving?
How much funding are you requesting?
How will the funds be used?
What impact will this funding create?
If you struggle to answer these concisely, refine your message before moving forward.
2️⃣ It Saves Time & Prevents Rewriting
Nonprofits that start with the application often find themselves rewriting sections multiple times because their message isn’t clear from the beginning. A well-crafted executive summary eliminates unnecessary revisions by providing a roadmap for the rest of the application.
📌 Actionable Tip: Create a universal executive summary that outlines your key messaging and funding needs. While each grant will require customization, having a template will significantly reduce writing time.
3️⃣ It Ensures Alignment with Funder Priorities
A common reason grant proposals fail? They don’t match the funder’s goals.
By starting with an executive summary, you can quickly determine whether your project aligns with the funder’s priorities before investing time in the full application. If it doesn’t fit, you can adjust your approach or focus on a better-aligned funder.
📌 Actionable Tip: Before writing, review the funder’s website, past grantees, and funding priorities. Use their language in your executive summary to show clear alignment.
Example: If the funder focuses on early childhood education, instead of saying: 🚫 “We provide literacy programs for children.”
Say: ✅ “Our literacy initiative equips children ages 3-5 with foundational reading skills, aligning with [Funder Name]’s commitment to early childhood education.”
4️⃣ It Makes Your Proposal More Compelling
Funders receive hundreds of grant applications. Those that are concise, compelling, and easy to understand stand out.
Your executive summary is your first chance to grab attention. If it’s engaging and well-structured, the funder is more likely to continue reading your full proposal.
📌 Actionable Tip: Keep your executive summary to one page and use bullet points for clarity. Funders should be able to skim it and immediately understand your request.
5️⃣ It Helps You Stay on Track While Writing the Application
When you start with a structured executive summary, you avoid getting lost in application details. It keeps your proposal focused, ensuring every section supports your overall funding request.
📌 Actionable Tip: Use your executive summary as a checklist while writing your full application. If a section doesn’t directly support the summary’s key points, consider revising or cutting it.
How to Write a Strong Executive Summary (Step-by-Step Guide)
✅ Step 1: Write a Strong Opening Sentence Hook the reader with a compelling statement about your mission and impact.
Example: "Every year, [Your Nonprofit Name] helps over 500 low-income students gain access to free tutoring, ensuring they don’t fall behind in school."
✅ Step 2: Clearly Define the Problem Use data to emphasize why your work is needed.
Example: "In our city, 60% of third graders from low-income families are not reading at grade level, making them four times more likely to drop out of high school."
✅ Step 3: State Your Funding Request Be specific about how much funding you need and how it will be used.
Example: "We are requesting a $50,000 grant to expand our after-school literacy program, providing tutoring to 200 additional students."
✅ Step 4: Highlight Expected Outcomes Show measurable impact so funders see the return on their investment.
Example: "This funding will allow us to increase literacy rates by 25% among participating students within one year."
✅ Step 5: Align with Funder Priorities Demonstrate how your work matches their mission.
Example: "This project aligns with [Funder’s Name]’s goal of improving educational outcomes for underserved youth."
Final Thoughts: Let the Executive Summary Lead the Way
Writing the executive summary first isn’t just a best practice—it’s a game-changer for grant writing. It provides clarity, saves time, strengthens alignment with funders, and ensures your proposal is cohesive and compelling.
Next time you write a grant, start with the summary—and let it lead the way. 🚀
📢 What’s your biggest challenge when writing an executive summary? Drop a comment below! 👇
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