1. The application doesn't have a clear focus. It does not concisely and compellingly convey what you want to do, why it is important, how it relates to the interests of the funding source, and why you are the best qualified to carry it out. This is especially critical in the abstract or executive summary. A proposal can also look unclear if it is riddled with jargon or isn't written clearly and directly.
    
2. Presentation is sloppy. An application with any misspellings, typos, poor grammar, and coffee stains (or other unidentifiable blobs) signals a sloppy mind and disrespect for the recipient. It is really important to correctly spell the name of the funding source to which you are applying. One program officer recalled a proposal that spelled the name of her foundation seven different ways, apparently operating on the erroneous assumption that at least one of them would be right and the other six forgiven. Do not rely solely on the word processor's spell checker. Proofread carefully.
    
3. Proposal is unsound. This is often a sin of commission - of simply biting off more than you can chew and promising far more than can reasonably be accomplished. Funders of research particularly cited "unrealistic plans" as something that quickly kills their interest in a proposal. But it can be a sin of omission, too - of simply failing to show how the project's proposed goals, procedures, and resources tie together in a coherent, creative, and manageable project. A colleague can help you judge if the internal logic of your project is adequately conveyed in the proposal. If not, do a rewrite.
    
4. The proposal has an "internal" rather than "external" focus. Most funding sources give money to improve the lives of people, build better communities, advance society, create new knowledge or for other high-minded reasons. They seldom make awards because an organization needs a new way to pay its staff, a faculty member cannot receive tenure without a funded project or an applicant wants to upgrade facilities. Unfortunately, every day, public and private funding sources receive literally hundreds of proposals that are preoccupied with how the requested money will benefit the applicant, rather than a real commitment to the problem the grant maker is trying to solve. You must demonstrate that the project has not been designed in isolation from those it is to serve or from other organizations whose cooperation is essential for success. "Working with," as opposed to "doing things to" others (especially your clients) is the message you want to convey.
    
5. Budget problems. Experienced grant makers who see lots of proposals can quickly judge whether the budget is unrealistic (either over or under a feasible budget), is larded with nonessential expenses or is "asking for the moon." Padded budgets are proof of either incompetence or bad faith. Ask for what you need. Many reviewers look at the budget first as a way to decide whether they want to bother reading the rest of the application.
    
6. Instructions weren't followed. Most funding sources sincerely expect that you will give them the courtesy of answering all the questions they have asked and following the instructions. You may feel there isn't much logic in their forms, but now is not the time to demonstrate your creativity by coming up with your own proposal format. Double check that you have included all of the information requested. Obey word and page limits. Omit irrelevant supplementary materials. Send the right number of copies. "Not following the rules" is one of the quickest ways to ensure your proposal isn't funded.
    
7. Deadline was missed. Good proposals take time to prepare, and every organization has internal review steps that must be completed before the proposal can be submitted. Some programs require additional reviews at the state or regional level or, because of the nature of the project, expect approvals by professional committees of one kind or another. Few funding sources will consider a proposal if it has missed the application deadline. Be certain you know if it is a "postmark deadline" (the proposal was stamped at the post office by a certain date) or a "receipt deadline" (it is in the hands of the grant maker by a certain date).

Source: Getting Funded: The Complete Guide to Writing Grant Proposals by Mary Hall and Susan Howlett. Available from Portland State University, Continuing Education Press, www.cep.pdx.edu. Copyright 2003. All rights reserved.