Free grant writing templates
Grant templates for nonprofits and grant writers, built by a grants company rather than a generic template gallery. Each one comes with worked examples, explains how to use it, and works in Word or Excel and in Google Docs or Sheets.
Prepare before you apply
The documents every application draws on: your case for support and your logic model.
Case for support template
The master argument for giving to your organization, with statement of need examples.
- ✓ Need, response, why us, proof, plan, ask, why now
- ✓ Results table and gift levels
- ✓ Mission, pitch and boilerplate versions
Logic model template
A one-page logic model with a theory of change and a measurement plan, plus a worked example.
- ✓ Inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, impact
- ✓ Theory of change: if, then, because
- ✓ Measurement plan for your evaluation
Write the application
Pitch with a letter of inquiry, then write the proposal, budget and cover letter.
Letter of inquiry template
The two-to-three page pitch that gets you invited to submit a full proposal, with a sample LOI.
- ✓ Request, organization, need, project
- ✓ Expected results and budget table
- ✓ Sample LOI with notes
Grant proposal template
A 10-section proposal outline with guidance, prompts and a full annotated sample proposal.
- ✓ Cover sheet and cover letter
- ✓ Executive summary, need, goals, design, evaluation
- ✓ Budget table, sustainability, attachments checklist
Grant budget template
Project budget with indirect costs and cost share, a drafted budget narrative, and your organization budget.
- ✓ Personnel and direct costs with the math shown
- ✓ Indirect rate, funder-limit checks, cost share
- ✓ Auto-drafted budget justification + org operating budget
Grant cover letter template
A one-page cover letter for your proposal, paragraph by paragraph, with a sample letter.
- ✓ The ask, the fit, the need, why you, the close
- ✓ Signature and enclosures
- ✓ Sample letter with notes
Manage the pipeline and the award
Track deadlines, award terms, payments and spending, and report back to funders.
Grant tracker template
Pipeline, deadlines, award terms, payments, reports due and budget vs. spend in one spreadsheet.
- ✓ Pipeline with deadline countdowns
- ✓ Award terms, payment schedule and reports due
- ✓ Budget vs. spend with an expense log
Grant report template
Interim and final reports against what you promised, with a budget vs. actual financial report.
- ✓ Progress on objectives: target vs. result
- ✓ Challenges, changes and stories
- ✓ Financial report with variance notes
Before you write: find the right funders
The strongest proposal still depends on applying to funders who fund your kind of work. Search foundation profiles and open grant opportunities for free, or read our guide to grant prospecting. For the whole process from award to report, see the grant management guide.
Template questions
Are these grant templates really free?
Yes. Every template downloads directly from its page: no email, no sign-up and no watermark. Change them however you like and share them with your team or clients.
Do the templates work in Google Docs and Google Sheets?
Yes. The document templates are Word files that open in Google Docs, and the budget and tracker are Excel files that open in Google Sheets. Several pages also have a “Make a copy” button that puts an editable copy straight into your Google Drive. The spreadsheet formulas use only functions both Excel and Google Sheets support.
Which template should I start with?
If you are writing an application now, start with the grant proposal template and build your numbers in the grant budget template alongside it. If the funder wants a short pitch first, start with the letter of inquiry. If you are juggling several applications or already have awards to manage, start with the grant tracker, and use the grant report template when reports come due.
Rather not start from a blank template?
Grantable is an AI workspace that turns a funder’s guidelines into a requirements checklist and drafts the proposal from your organization’s own documents. Free to start.
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