Tool
Guide for Applying to Interfaith America Grants and Fellowships
Learn what makes a strong grant proposal to Interfaith America.
Our Grantmaking Philosophy
Interfaith America awards grants and fellowships to support partners in doing the work of interfaith leadership development, interfaith cooperation, pluralism or bridgebuilding in their communities. Grants and fellowships represent different programs through which Interfaith America inspires, equips, and connects leaders and institutions to embrace the power of pluralism, spurring cooperation across differences in service of the common good. We do this across a variety of sectors of American life, including civic, corporate, and higher education contexts. Through its grant programs, Interfaith America is committed to supporting initiatives that meaningfully engage people with a wide range of perspectives, worldviews, and identities.
Our Grantmaking Practices
Our program teams facilitate grant and fellowship opportunities for different audiences. Some grants or fellowships are offered on a regular basis (e.g., yearly), and others are only offered on a limited basis. Grant opportunities are frequently determined in collaboration with Interfaith America’s funding partners and in alignment with researched best practices on effective programs.
What Makes a Strong Proposal?
Alignment between the proposal and the RFP
A strong proposal is clearly aligned with the purpose of the grant or fellowship, as expressed in the RFP. Applicants should pay attention to key words (e.g., interfaith cooperation or civic pluralism) and goals or objectives (e.g., advancing organizational infrastructure or developing a specific type of curriculum) stated in the RFP, and ensure their proposal reflects these priorities. For example, if an RFP seeks to fund religious communities as they support free and fair elections in their communities, a proposal for a book club on democracy is less aligned, while a proposal for recruiting and training poll workers will be more aligned. The proposal must demonstrate a clear link between what the applicant hopes to accomplish and what the RFP seeks to fund.
A compelling purpose for the application
A strong proposal conveys a compelling narrative or purpose. This can manifest in a variety of ways. First, an applicant may share evidence that grant funds would directly benefit a need in their community. This evidence might be quantitative, like data from a recent community survey, or qualitative, like insights from listening sessions or a cross-community partnership. Second, an applicant might also show how funding would build upon work the applicant is already doing, or expertise the applicant is already developing. Third, an applicant could share a personal or community story that demonstrates deep commitment to the goals of the grant. Fourth, an applicant could identify the people or organizations who are partnering with them or supporting the work of their proposal, showcasing broader buy-in for the vision and sustainability of the project. Applicants should consider the best ways they can convey a clear purpose for applying for a particular opportunity.
A clear action plan in the proposal
A strong proposal presents a clear plan of action to achieve the goals of the grant or fellowship. A proposal should articulate plans that are both specific and realistic. While it can be exciting to propose an ambitious project (e.g., “our new podcast will have 3,000 subscribers by the end of the year”), grant managers will often prioritize projects that have a high chance of succeeding (e.g., “through scheduled social media posts and our growing email marketing list, we aim to reach 500 new podcast subscribers by the end of the year.”) Applicants can address how they plan to stay on track with their project and how they will measure the success of their project. When an application requests a budget proposal, applicants should develop a robust plan for how they expect to use funds to advance the goals of the proposal.
Note: Specific selection criteria may apply for each fellowship or grant opportunity, as determined by the program team and outlined in an RFP.
Common Terms
Grant
Fellowship
Request for Proposals (RFP)
Proposal
Applicant
Grantee/Fellow
Extra Tips
Tip #1
Reach Out
Tip #2
Use the LAB
Use Interfaith America’s Learning & Action Bridge (the LAB) to stay apprised of relevant grant and fellowship opportunities, as well as helpful resources curated for your interests.