# Grant Report > Writes grant progress and final reports with metric tracking, narrative updates, and financial accounting. - Skill: `reaperinvest/grant-report` (Agent Skill) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add reaperinvest/grant-report` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/reaperinvest/grant-report/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Data & Analytics - Author: reaperinvest (https://skillmd.com/u/reaperinvest) - Updated: 2026-09-22 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/reaperinvest/grant-report --- # Grant Report ## When to Use This Skill Use this skill when you need to: - Write a progress or final report for a grant funder - Track and present metrics against grant objectives - Create narrative updates with financial accounting for grant compliance - Build reusable grant reporting templates for recurring funding cycles **DO NOT** use this skill for grant applications, impact reports for donors, or internal program evaluations. This is for reports submitted to a specific grant funder to demonstrate how their funds were used. --- ## Core Principle A GRANT REPORT MUST PROVE TWO THINGS: YOU DID WHAT YOU SAID YOU WOULD DO, AND THE MONEY WAS SPENT EXACTLY AS PROPOSED — FUNDERS WHO TRUST YOUR REPORTING FUND YOU AGAIN. --- ## Phase 1: Brief ### Required Inputs | Input | What to Ask | Default | |-------|------------|---------| | **Funder name** | "Which funder are you reporting to?" | No default — must be provided | | **Grant purpose** | "What was the grant awarded for?" | No default — must be provided | | **Report type** | "Progress report or final report?" | Progress report | | **Reporting period** | "What dates does this report cover?" | No default — must be provided | | **Original objectives** | "What objectives were stated in the grant proposal?" | No default — must be provided | | **Funder template** | "Does the funder have a required report format or template?" | No required format | **GATE: Confirm the brief and gather all data before writing.** --- ## Phase 2: Structure ### Report Architecture If no funder template is required, use this structure: ``` 1. Cover information — grant ID, organization, reporting period, contact 2. Executive summary — 1 paragraph overview of progress 3. Objectives and outcomes — each objective with metrics and narrative 4. Activities and milestones — what was done during the period 5. Challenges and adaptations — what changed and why 6. Financial report — budget vs. actual spending 7. Lessons learned — insights for future work 8. Next steps (progress report) or Sustainability plan (final report) 9. Appendix — supporting data, photos, testimonials ``` ### Objectives Tracking Table ``` | Objective | Target | Actual | % Complete | Status | |-----------|--------|--------|-----------|--------| | [Objective 1] | [Target metric] | [Actual] | [%] | On track / Behind / Complete | | [Objective 2] | [Target metric] | [Actual] | [%] | On track / Behind / Complete | ``` **GATE: Present the structure and confirm all objectives are captured before writing.** --- ## Phase 3: Write ### Section-by-Section Guide **Executive Summary (100-150 words)** - Grant purpose in one sentence - Key accomplishments this period - Any significant challenges or changes - Overall status assessment **Objectives and Outcomes** For each objective from the original proposal: ``` ## Objective [N]: [Objective statement from proposal] **Target:** [What was promised] **Progress:** [What was achieved, with specific numbers] **Evidence:** [How this was measured] **Narrative:** [2-3 sentences explaining the context behind the numbers] ``` **Activities and Milestones** ``` | Activity | Planned Date | Actual Date | Status | Notes | |----------|-------------|-------------|--------|-------| | [Activity 1] | [Date] | [Date] | Complete / In progress / Delayed | [Brief note] | ``` **Challenges and Adaptations** - State each challenge directly — do not hide problems - Explain what adaptation was made - Note whether the adaptation required a change to the original plan - If budget was reallocated, explain and justify **Financial Report** ``` ## Financial Summary | Budget Category | Approved Budget | Spent This Period | Spent to Date | Remaining | |----------------|----------------|------------------|--------------|-----------| | Personnel | $[X] | $[X] | $[X] | $[X] | | Supplies | $[X] | $[X] | $[X] | $[X] | | Travel | $[X] | $[X] | $[X] | $[X] | | Other | $[X] | $[X] | $[X] | $[X] | | **Total** | **$[X]** | **$[X]** | **$[X]** | **$[X]** | **Variance explanations:** [Explain any category where spending differs from budget by more than 10%] ``` --- ## Phase 4: Polish ### 1. Compliance Check ``` - [ ] All original objectives are addressed (even if behind schedule) - [ ] Metrics match the measurement plan in the proposal - [ ] Financial report accounts for every dollar of grant funds - [ ] Budget variances over 10% are explained - [ ] Any scope or timeline changes are documented - [ ] Report matches the funder's required format (if applicable) - [ ] Submission deadline will be met ``` ### 2. Narrative Quality Check - Facts and data, not opinions or vague language - Specific numbers replace words like "many," "several," or "significant" - Challenges are stated honestly, not hidden or minimized - Tone is professional and factual — not defensive or promotional ### 3. Submission Package ``` ## Submission Checklist - [ ] Narrative report (Word or PDF) - [ ] Financial report (Excel or matching format) - [ ] Supporting documents (photos, testimonials, data) - [ ] Cover letter (if required) - [ ] Sent to the correct contact at the funder - [ ] Copy filed in organization's grant records ``` --- ## Example 1: Education Grant Progress Report ``` Objective: Provide tutoring to 100 students over 12 months Progress (6 months): 62 students enrolled, 45 attending regularly Challenge: Lower-than-expected enrollment in rural areas Adaptation: Added a transportation stipend program, enrollment increased 30% Budget: 48% spent at the 50% mark — on track ``` ## Example 2: Community Health Grant Final Report ``` Objective: Conduct 500 health screenings in underserved neighborhoods Result: 547 screenings completed (109% of target) Key outcome: 83 individuals referred to ongoing care, 61 confirmed follow-up Budget: $49,200 of $50,000 spent — $800 returned to funder Sustainability: Partnered with 3 clinics for ongoing screening access ``` --- ## Anti-Patterns - **Hiding bad news** — funders respect honesty. Unreported problems destroy trust when discovered later. - **Vague metrics** — "We helped many people" is unacceptable. Use exact numbers from your tracking system. - **Missing financial detail** — every dollar must be accounted for. Unexplained variances trigger audits. - **Copy-pasting the proposal** — the report should describe what happened, not what you planned to do. - **Submitting late** — late reports jeopardize future funding. Build in a 1-week buffer before the deadline. - **Ignoring the funder's format** — if they provide a template, use it exactly. Do not substitute your own format. --- ## Recovery - **Objectives not met:** Report honestly. Explain why, what was learned, and what adjustments were made. Funders fund learning organizations, not perfect ones. - **Financial records are incomplete:** Reconstruct from bank statements and receipts. Flag any amounts that could not be verified and explain the gap. - **Funder template is confusing:** Call the program officer and ask for clarification. They would rather answer questions than receive a wrong report. - **Multiple grants with overlapping reporting:** Create a master tracking spreadsheet that maps each expense and metric to the correct grant. Never double-count.