Your community group has asked you to write a grant proposal and you don't know where to start. Here are four steps toward landing a grant:
1) Don't find a grant, then create a project. Do it the other way around. Grantors can see through this. It rings more true and fits your general mission if you already have a clear goal. Also, try local grantors first. They love to help their immediate community: It looks good on their website. Locally-based corporations are always a great option.
2) Read the the grant's purpose and rules carefully. There is no point in applying for a grant -- and getting the group's hopes up -- if you are sure to fail. Keep in mind that some grantors don't want to pay salaries or fund ongoing projects; they like to pay for or give stuff.
3) You have a project, you've found a grant and you've read the instructions. It's time to research. Make sure you are clear about the mechanics of achieving your goals. Interview the people who will be facilitating the process. Identify what materials and training your group already has in place.
4) Writing. Now is not the time for flowery language. Write in clear, concise and detailed words the goal of the project, how success will be measured, and its impact on the group or community. Describe existing materials and training that will help ensure success. Be sure and tie the project to the group's general mission.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Write a winning grant proposal
Your community group asks you to write a grant proposal, and you don't know where to start. Here are four important steps to landing a grant:
1)Don't find the grant then find a project. Do it the other way around. If you have clear project goals for the group, you have a better shot of winning the grant. You don't run the risk of taking the group off into a track outside of its realm. Also, grantors can see through this tactic. They can tell if you are inexperienced in a particular discipline or if it doesn't fit your general mission.
2) Read the rules and instructions carefully. Make sure your project fits within the confines of the grantor's guidelines. Otherwise, you get the group's hopes up and waste a lot of time. Sometimes grantors don't like to pay salaries or for ongoing projects. They sometimes want to want to give you stuff. Keep that in mind.
3) OK. You've found the grant, you've read the rules, now it's time to apply. Research is necessary to a successful application. Make sure you are clear about the the specifics of the project and what materials are needed to succeed.
4) Writing. Now is not the time to write flowery language. Pack the application with details. Be specific about the goals and intended outcome. Talk about existing resources: It shows commitment to the project. Finally, what is the impact of the project? Will it help people with cognitive disabilities learn new skills? Will it teach children necessary computer techniques in today's learning environment?
1)Don't find the grant then find a project. Do it the other way around. If you have clear project goals for the group, you have a better shot of winning the grant. You don't run the risk of taking the group off into a track outside of its realm. Also, grantors can see through this tactic. They can tell if you are inexperienced in a particular discipline or if it doesn't fit your general mission.
2) Read the rules and instructions carefully. Make sure your project fits within the confines of the grantor's guidelines. Otherwise, you get the group's hopes up and waste a lot of time. Sometimes grantors don't like to pay salaries or for ongoing projects. They sometimes want to want to give you stuff. Keep that in mind.
3) OK. You've found the grant, you've read the rules, now it's time to apply. Research is necessary to a successful application. Make sure you are clear about the the specifics of the project and what materials are needed to succeed.
4) Writing. Now is not the time to write flowery language. Pack the application with details. Be specific about the goals and intended outcome. Talk about existing resources: It shows commitment to the project. Finally, what is the impact of the project? Will it help people with cognitive disabilities learn new skills? Will it teach children necessary computer techniques in today's learning environment?
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Writing for the reader
Some poets say they write for themselves. I believe them.
There are authors who are so incomprehensible, so out of reach in their text that we mortals put it down after the first line. Maybe Sylvia Plath could get away with it -- apparently she did -- but the rest of us can't.
Whether you are writing a business letter or a magazine article, the first rule is: Know your audience. Are they knowledgeable about your topic? Will they understand the terminology of your content? If you aren't sure, stop and explain.
You don't impress by using inside terminology -- you just run the risk of being elitist. What do you mean when you say you're a strategist? That you command over wars? Just say it the way you would to someone on the elevator -- yes, the elevator pitch. "I'm a corporate strategist," means nothing. "I consult corporations on how they can make better profits," works.
There are authors who are so incomprehensible, so out of reach in their text that we mortals put it down after the first line. Maybe Sylvia Plath could get away with it -- apparently she did -- but the rest of us can't.
Whether you are writing a business letter or a magazine article, the first rule is: Know your audience. Are they knowledgeable about your topic? Will they understand the terminology of your content? If you aren't sure, stop and explain.
You don't impress by using inside terminology -- you just run the risk of being elitist. What do you mean when you say you're a strategist? That you command over wars? Just say it the way you would to someone on the elevator -- yes, the elevator pitch. "I'm a corporate strategist," means nothing. "I consult corporations on how they can make better profits," works.
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