grant application review
You've written your draft. Now find out if it's actually saying what assessors need to hear.
You've put in the work. But grant applications aren't just about having a great project - they're about making the case for it clearly enough that an assessor can defend funding it.
Send me your draft and I'll read it the way an assessor would, then write you a detailed report: what's working, what isn't, and exactly what to strengthen before you submit. Honest, specific feedback from someone who's sat on assessment panels and run grant rounds at state level.
No vague encouragement. No "maybe try to strengthen this section." Just the kind of feedback that usually only comes from being in the room.
WHAT YOU'LL GET
→ A detailed written report on your complete application section by section, covering your argument, your evidence, your budget, and how the whole thing reads to someone assessing it. What's landing, what's flagging, what's missing, what's strong.
Written in plain language and built to work from - so you can sit with it, revise against it, and tick things off as you go.
→ Delivered within 5 business days, so there's time to act on it before your deadline.
Prefer your feedback talked through on video? Just ask when you send your draft and I'll record a walkthrough instead - no problem at all.
Your deadline should be at least 7 business days away, and you should have a complete or near-complete draft.
This is the same application feedback I provide in Power Hour sessions - just without the live coaching call. You get diagnostic insight from someone who's assessed grants across state programs, councils, and international funds.
who is this for?
Mid Career creatives who:
Already know how to write grants
Have applied multiple times
Keep getting rejected and don't know why
Want assessor eyes on their draft before the panel sees it
choose your review
small grants
$242
For applications requesting up to $20k
mid-tier grants
$385
For applications requesting $20-100k
The best money I've ever spent on getting a grant!
- Leila enright. green door theatre company
Availability and FAQ
How many spots are available?
Six spots per round. I'm taking six for City of Sydney Creative Grants and six for Creative Australia Arts Projects - both close 1 September, so I'm capping each separately to make sure every application gets proper attention.
Once a round is full, it's closed. Book early if you know you're applying.
Do you get the same content in each review level?
Yes. Every review includes the full written report. The price difference reflects the complexity and stakes of the application, not the depth of the feedback.
If you're applying for a grant of $20k or more, select the 'upgrade' option at checkout.
What do I need to send?
You'll want to have a finished or nearly finished draft to get the most benefit. After purchase you'll receive instructions to send your draft application, funding ask, attachments (budget, project plan and supporting docs), and a link to the funding round.
How does the timing work?
Send me your application at least 7 business days before the grant deadline so there's time to get the feedback back to you and for you to make changes.
For the 1 September rounds, that means getting it to me by Friday 21 August.
Really pushed for time? Email me and I'll see what I can do.
Can I get the feedback as a video instead?
Absolutely. The written report is the default because it's what most people find easiest to work from - but if you'd rather hear it talked through in full, just say so when you send your draft and I'll record the complete walkthrough.
Real feedback from real artists
"Cat's expertise and insights into arts funding is undeniably invaluable. The service for application review before submission deadline was not only incredibly useful in strengthening my funding proposal, but allowed me to feel more confident about applying for arts funding after swearing off it 2 years ago."
Bali Padda
"Rather than simply editing my responses, she helped me understand what funders are looking for and how to communicate the value and impact of my work more effectively. Thanks to Cat's guidance, I felt far more confident in both my application and my overall approach to grant writing."
Kirsty Semaan
“Cat was supportive, clear, specific and committed to guiding me through the process. I felt proud of my application, and... I got the grant! I'm now in development for my show. Thank you Cat!”
Imogen
What happens next?
After payment you'll receive a confirmation email with instructions to send your draft application, link to the funding round landing page, and funding deadline to [email protected]. Your 5 day business turnaround begins once I receive your files.
I read your application against the program guidelines, assessment criteria and funding priorities, and write your detailed report - opening with a priority list and my overall read, then working through your application heading by heading.
Within 5 business days I'll email back your feedback report and video link.
Submit with confidence