TAKE TEN
Applying Yourself
Obtaining grants is possible, but you have to work hard, stay focused and not give up after any setbacks
by David Pego
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A pplying for grants can be complicated and time-consuming, but the rewards can be innumerable – valuable money for your program, exciting new partnerships, personal success in being awarded one and new programs that you may never have thought were possible to fund.
As someone who has written successful federal and private grant proposals, I’d like to suggest a few things for you to keep in mind.
1 It’s best to track down someone who has successfully written
proposals for the place that you are targeting. Asking other people will only get you a hodgepodge of tips that may not be relevant.
2 Read the grant application carefully. Make sure you give them all the information that they have requested or they probably will throw out your request. Most grant-making bodies have some sort of scoresheet to judge applications.
3 It’s a good idea to call the organization that is giving away the money and ask if there is someone on staff who can give you more insight into what the grantmakers really are looking for. What is their ultimate goal?
4 When you write the narrative, use your second or third paragraph to tell why your program (or partnership) perfectly fits the grantmaker’s goals. Express your needs clearly.
5 Make sure you tell the grantmaker not only what effect that giving you money will have on your community – but also try to explain ways that you will promote the funder’s generosity – directly to schools or maybe in your paper.
6 Allow yourself plenty of time to do this project. Write a first draft and then come back to it in a week or so to gain some perspective.
7 Submit documented evidence (stories about your success, preferably with pictures) to demonstrate that the funder’s money won’t be wasted.
8 Have someone re-read the entire application before you send it off. You can only read your own writing so many times before you just start to lose sight of it.
9 Say “thank you” in advance. Make sure the funder knows that you are grateful for its efforts – even if you are not one of the lucky and worthy recipients.
10 Don’t expect to succeed the first time. Often, you have to apply several times before you get money. That’s especially the case with large funders. But you have to start somewhere. |