At Community Connect South Shoalhaven, we spend a lot of time connecting dots.
We see where community groups are doing similar work in parallel.
We see where burnout creeps in because one organisation is carrying too much.
And we see what becomes possible when people move from working side by side… to designing together.
Collaborative grant writing sits right at the heart of that shift.
But what is it exactly — and why does it matter?
What Is Collaborative Grant Writing?
Collaborative grant writing is when two or more organisations submit a joint funding application.
But it’s much more than sharing paperwork.
It’s shared:
- Design
- Power
- Risk
- Resources
- Impact
Instead of competing for the same pool of funding, organisations pool their expertise, networks and infrastructure to build something stronger together.
And increasingly, funders are looking for exactly that.
Why Collaborative Grant Writing Matters
1. Stronger Applications
Funders are increasingly prioritising collaboration. Why?
Because collaboration signals:
- Reduced duplication
- Community readiness
- Broader community reach
- Efficiency
- Sustainability
- Alignment across services
From a funder’s perspective, a collective proposal often feels less risky and more sustainable than a single organisation carrying delivery alone.
2. Access to More Resources
No one organisation holds everything.
One group may bring evaluation expertise. Another may have venues or infrastructure. Another may have mentoring capacity. Another may bring storytelling or design strengths.
When these capabilities are combined, the project can achieve more, often for the same amount of funding.
Collaboration reduces the burden on any single organisation and spreads responsibility more sustainably.
3. Better Project Design
When you design in isolation, scope can creep. Or worse… blind spots go unnoticed.
When you design together:
- Practical constraints surface early
- Duplication is reduced
- Goals become clearer
Collective thinking allows groups to ask deeper questions:
Is this a short-term fix?
Or are we shifting something more systemic and structural?
4. Stronger Community Relationships
Even if the funding doesn’t come through, something valuable has already been built.
- Trust.
- Shared language.
- A shared roadmap
- New working relationships.
That relational capital often outlasts the grant round itself.
And over time, those relationships create a more connected, resilient local ecosystem.
Our Hot Tips for Collaborative Grant Writing
Collaboration doesn’t happen by accident. Here’s what we’ve learned.
1. Start With Connection
Collaboration moves at the speed of trust.
Before diving into writing the application, create space for:
- Sharing values
- Exploring strengths
- Clarifying motivations
- Understanding capacity
Strong relationships upfront save confusion later.
2. Design the Workflow Clearly
Ambiguity is the fastest way to derail collaboration.
Be clear about:
- Who is doing what
- Deadlines
- How feedback will be given
- Where documents are stored
- Who is the single point of contact with the funder
A shared drive and clear version control are your best friends.
3. Prioritise
Collective energy can inflate scope.
When multiple passionate organisations come together, it’s tempting to include everything.
Don’t.
Align tightly with:
- The grant criteria
- Available capacity
- Realistic delivery timelines
We love using a Design for Wiser Action template – where we can really tease out the collective need, purpose, vision and next steps.
Keep a “parking lot” for good ideas that don’t fit this round.
4. Leverage Strengths (Don’t Equalise Everything)
Not everyone needs to do everything.
Play to capability:
- Who’s strong at evaluation?
- Who can gather community data?
- Who’s best at storytelling?
- Who has financial oversight experience?
- Clarity here builds efficiency and reduces tension.
5. Budget for Collaboration
Collaboration takes time, in planning and delivery.
Build in:
- Meeting time
- Coordination time
- Reporting processes
- Hosting and facilitation
Strong collaboration is infrastructure. Infrastructure requires investment.
A Shift in Mindset
Many of us have experienced the tension of applying for a grant knowing others in our communities might be applying too.
It can feel competitive. Scarce.
But it doesn’t always have to be that way.
What if the question shifted from:
“How do we win this?”
To:
“What becomes possible if we build this together?”