WokeOnPaperThe Proposal Writing Test
Did the organisation fail, or did the proposal fail to sound impressive enough?
Grant proposals are meant to help funders understand an organisation's work, plans and use of resources. But the proposal itself can become a test of writing skill.
That creates an unfair gap. Organisations doing strong fieldwork may not have dedicated proposal writers, consultants or polished language. Organisations with stronger writing capacity can appear more convincing even when their groundwork is weaker.
A good funding process should assess substance as well as presentation. Clear writing matters, but it should not become a proxy for organisational quality or community impact.
