How to make your grant application stand out

How Do We Make Our Grant Application Stand Out? Show Them You Don’t Work Alone.

One of the most common questions I get from nonprofit teams is:

“How do we make our grant application stand out?”

It’s a great question—and an important one. With grant making more competitive than ever, funders aren’t just looking to support strong programs. They’re looking to fund organizations that are working closely with other organizations in their communities providing critical services to clients.

In 2025, it’s not enough to do great work. You have to prove you’re not doing it alone. What are you building as a coalition?

So, what does this mean how can your organization stand out in the next grant application you submit?

Why Do Partnerships Matter So Much to Funders?

Funders—especially private foundations and government agencies—are increasingly focused on systems change, not just one-off projects.

To them, partnerships signal:

Efficiency – You’re not duplicating services.
Reach – You’re serving more people, more effectively.
Sustainability – You’re building long-term, resource-sharing relationships.
Credibility – If others want to work with you, funders trust you more.

Put simply:

Collaboration = Capacity. And capacity = confidence for funders.

The Question Funders Are Really Asking

When they ask, “What partners are you working with?” they’re not just checking a box.

They’re thinking:

“Can this organization scale?”
“Will my dollars go further because of their partnerships?”
“Do they have the respect and trust of others in their ecosystem?”

And here’s the kicker:

A lack of partners is often a red flag.

It can signal isolation, lack of community engagement, or difficulty collaborating—none of which inspire confidence from funders.

A Real-World Example of Partnership Done Right

Let’s look at a powerful example:
Curing Kids Cancer’s partnership with Mecum Auction Company.

Since the early 2010s, this pediatric cancer nonprofit has teamed up with the world’s largest collector car auction company. Here’s what makes this partnership stand out:

It’s mission-aligned.

Mecum may not be a medical organization—but they have national reach, visibility, and an audience that cares about giving back. That’s exactly what Curing Kids Cancer needed to scale its fundraising and awareness.

It’s innovative.

Mecum created dedicated charity auction lots and even launched a custom program “The Bid Goes On” to funnel unsold vehicle proceeds to pediatric cancer causes. This isn’t just a donation, it’s a platform.

It’s visible.

With national events and coverage on MotorTrend Network, this partnership brings awareness to childhood cancer among millions who might never have encountered it otherwise.

It’s high-impact.

This isn’t about one check. It’s a long-term collaboration that’s raised millions for research and treatment.

This is exactly the kind of story a funder wants to see in a proposal—strategic, sustainable collaboration that multiplies impact.

How to Highlight Partnerships in Your Next Grant Proposal

Now you’re probably thinking: “That’s great for a national nonprofit with a TV partnership—but what about us?”

Good news: You don’t need a million-dollar partner to show meaningful collaboration. You just need to show funders that you’re:

Connected to your community
Working with others to amplify impact
Sharing resources and expertise intentionally

Here’s how to do it:

1. Map Your Existing Partnerships

You may already have great partnerships—you just haven’t thought of them that way yet.

Think about:

Local schools where you run programs or recruit volunteers
Mental health clinics who refer clients to your services
Workforce development orgs that share training space
City departments that co-host outreach events

Even informal collaborations count if you can describe the relationship, how it helps your clients, and how it improves your work.

2. Name Drop in the Narrative

In your grant narrative, don’t wait until the “collaboration” section to mention partners. Talk about them throughout your proposal, especially when you talk about:

Program delivery (“We work with XYZ Health Center to coordinate case management.”)
Outcomes (“Our data-sharing agreement with ABC Coalition helps us track long-term results.”)
Community trust (“Our partnership with local faith leaders increases buy-in.”)

Every mention helps reinforce the idea that you’re connected and credible.

3. Include MOUs or Letters of Support

Funders love to see proof of your relationships.

Ask key partners for:

Letters of support outlining your shared work
Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) that show joint commitments
Referral data or shared metrics that show results

These documents can boost your score on some government grant applications.

4. Quantify the Impact of Collaboration

Don’t just name drop. Show how collaboration makes an impact with data.

Examples:

“By co-hosting events with the city health department, we reduced outreach costs by 40%.”
“Our partnership with a local childcare center helped 78% of clients attend job training regularly.”
“Referrals from our legal aid partner increased housing placement rates by 22%.”

Remember: Funders think in ROI. Show them the return.

5. Be Proactive with Future Partnerships

You don’t have to wait until a collaboration is years-old to include it. If you’re developing a new partnership for an upcoming program, say so!

Example language:

“We’re currently formalizing a partnership with [org name] to share staff for outreach events. This will allow us to reach 30% more clients at no additional cost.”

This shows forward-thinking leadership—another funder favorite.

A Quick Exercise: What Partnerships Are You Missing?

Before your next grant application, take 10 minutes and answer these questions:

Who refers clients to us regularly?
Who shares data or space with us?
Which orgs or businesses serve the same audience?
Who could help us scale—if we just asked?

Then, make a plan to formalize, deepen, or highlight those partnerships.

TL;DR: Want to Stand Out? Don’t Work Alone.

When funders review stacks of grant proposals, collaboration is a clear marker of excellence.

To stand out:

Show real, active partnerships
Quantify the impact of collaboration
Name drop strategically throughout your application
Use MOUs or letters of support when possible
Don’t lead with “we need funding”—lead with “we multiply impact”

Because in the eyes of funders, working alone is a risk. But working together? That’s power.

Ready to Build a Stronger Case for Support?

If you’re tired of submitting grant proposals that get lost in the shuffle, let’s change that.

At HousingGrants.co, I help nonprofit leaders build standout grant strategies that showcase alignment, partnership, and impact—and unlock the funding they deserve.

Want in? 👉🏾 Visit HousingGrants.co to learn more.

Over to You:

What’s one partnership you’re proud of that helps drive your mission?
Drop it in the comments—I’d love to see how your organization is building impact through collaboration.