Grant Writing Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Grant Writing facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is a 'gap analysis' as used in grant needs assessments? → A comparison between what currently exists and what is needed to solve a problem
2. Which W.K. Kellogg Foundation resource is widely recognized as a foundational guide for developing logic models in the nonprofit sector? → The Logic Model Development Guide
3. When building a prospect list of potential funders, which factor should be evaluated FIRST? → Whether the funder supports your geographic area and program focus
4. What are the three main qualities required for the job of a grant writer? → Writing skill, attention to detail, and organizational skills.
5. Which type of audit is required for non-federal entities that expend $750,000 or more in federal awards during a fiscal year? → Single Audit under 2 CFR Part 200
6. What is the primary ethical concern with paying grant writers on a commission or percentage-of-award basis? → It creates an incentive to inflate budgets or misrepresent needs to secure larger awards
7. What is the standard record retention period for grant-related documents under federal guidelines? → Three years from submission of the final expenditure report
8. What is the primary purpose of reviewing a foundation's IRS Form 990-PF during prospect research? → To verify the foundation's grant amounts, recipients, and officer compensation
9. Which evaluation approach compares program outcomes to a similar group that did not receive the intervention? → Quasi-experimental design
10. A foundation's 990-PF form is particularly valuable for funder research because it reveals which of the following? → The foundation's total assets, grants paid, and recipient organizations
11. What is the correct procedure when a grantee discovers it has been overpaid by the federal agency? → Return the excess funds promptly and notify the awarding agency
12. Which of the following best represents an 'assumption' in a Theory of Change? → A belief that participants have reliable transportation to attend sessions
13. Which component of a grant proposal describes how success will be measured? → Evaluation plan
14. Which stakeholder engagement strategy is most effective for ensuring evaluation findings are used for program improvement? → Involving stakeholders in designing evaluation questions and reviewing results
15. Which of the following expenses would typically be classified as unallowable under federal grant cost principles? → Alcoholic beverages at a project event
16. How much does a typical grant writing course cost? → Between $100 and $2,000
17. A federal grant application requires a 20% cost share. If the total project cost is $500,000, how much must the grantee contribute from non-federal sources? → $100,000
18. Under the Grant Professionals Certification Institute (GPCI) Code of Ethics, which practice is explicitly prohibited? → Accepting contingency-based compensation tied to the grant award
19. A program staff member says, 'We ran 20 workshops this quarter.' This statement describes a program's: → Output
20. What is the typical role of a grant reviewer during the evaluation process? → To score proposals against published criteria and provide written feedback
21. What is a grant writer's salary based on? → Their experience, location, and qualifications
22. Which ethical standard requires grant writers to accurately represent their qualifications and experience to clients? → The duty of honest representation and professional competence
23. What is the MOST appropriate action when you discover that a funder's priorities have recently shifted away from your program area? → Remove them from your active prospect list and revisit during future research cycles
24. What does SAM.gov registration refer to in the context of federal grant compliance? → The System for Award Management, required for organizations receiving federal funds
25. Which element is typically NOT included in a program design section of a grant proposal? → Organizational tax status history
26. Which of the following is NOT regarded as an acceptable way to send a paper copy of a grant application? → Faxed copy
27. What is the ethical obligation of a grant writer when they lack subject matter expertise in the program area of a proposal? → Collaborate with subject matter experts and disclose limitations to stakeholders
28. An evidence-based practice in a grant proposal refers to: → A method proven effective through rigorous research and evaluation
29. A logic model in grant writing is best described as: → A visual framework linking inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes
30. Why must grant expenditures be documented with source documentation? → To prove costs were actually incurred and are allowable during audits or funder reviews