Actions Verbs to Use when Writing Grant Proposals

When writing grant proposals, action verbs help transform vague ideas into clear, fundable plans. They show funders exactly what you’ll do—whether you're leading a workshop, building a trail, or evaluating outcomes. Strong proposals use precise, active language to communicate confidence and clarity. Use the list below to describe your program’s core activities, staffing roles, or implementation steps. If you find yourself defaulting to phrases like “we hope to” or “we plan to support,” try swapping them with a more direct verb that paints a clearer picture of your impact.

Education & Training Grants

• Facilitate

• Lead

• Teach

• Mentor

• Train

• Educate

• Present

• Coach

• Guide

• Instruct

Nonprofit Program Grants

• Provide

• Offer

• Deliver

• Host

• Launch

• Coordinate

• Implement

• Conduct

• Organize

• Administer

Community Engagement Grants

• Convene

• Mobilize

• Recruit

• Engage

• Empower

• Connect

• Partner

• Collaborate

• Co-create

• Invite

Direct Services Grants

• Assist

• Serve

• Refer

• Counsel

• Support

• Equip

• Advocate

• Navigate

• Accompany

• Resource (as a verb, e.g. “We resource emerging leaders…”)

Outreach & Communications Grants

• Disseminate

• Broadcast

• Publish

• Promote

• Share

• Raise awareness

• Inform

• Campaign

• Amplify

• Reach

Evaluation & Improvement Grants

• Measure

• Evaluate

• Analyze

• Assess

• Track

• Monitor

• Reflect

• Revise

• Report

• Strengthen

Creative/Place-based Work Grants

• Build

• Design

• Restore

• Develop

• Plant

• Construct

• Paint

• Install

• Curate

• Map