Practical Advice for New Grant Writers

Common Sense Tips to Getting Funded in a Tough Economy

Aug 3, 2009

Contrary to the spam that abounds about "free money," it's not easy to get a grant proposal funded. But a few easy-to-remember points can increase the chances of success.

Many non-profit organizations want to pursue funding through grant writing, not knowing the practical ins and outs that make the activity almost an art. Those who know the subtle nuances of grant writing greatly increase their chances of getting funded.

There are three main principals to grant writing that every fundraiser should know. These are fit, following directions, and the big “so what.”

In Grant Writing, the Grantor and Grantee Need to Fit Like a Hand and Glove

Resource books of corporations, foundations, and government granting entities are as thick as a New York phone book. Fundraisers get starry-eyed when they see these tomes. Then, they quickly plummet to earth as they sift through the many listings trying to find a fit.

Better to forego the print publications and find a library that has a subscription to the Foundation Center’s Foundation Directory Online. This resource allows the grant seeker to search by geographic location and type of funding. Most foundations only fund organizations in a close radius to their operations. Many stipulate the types of grants they will make, such as educational or healthcare related.

Once the grant seeker narrows down the field to the handful that might actually be interested in funding them, the next step is not to start typing a proposal. This is a relationship game. Just like book publishers have a slush pile of unsolicited manuscripts, so do foundations and corporations. And government agencies have strict guidelines about when they’ll accept proposals.

The first step is a friendly, introductory phone call. The next step is a query - a mini-proposal. If the organization likes what it sees, then it might invite a full proposal. Never waste time sending out mass proposals.

Follow Directions to Increase a Grant Proposal’s Chances of Funding

Amazingly, the ability to follow directions is one of the most valuable assets of a grant writer. When reading the grant guidelines, follow the directions exactly. If the guidelines call for recycled paper and green ink, don’t do otherwise. If one-inch margins and double-spaced text are required, comply. Nothing irritates a grant maker more than grant seekers who don’t follow directions. That’s all that needs to be said about following directions. Do it or don’t bother. Period.

Always Ask the Big So-What to Make a Strong Case for Grant-Writing Success

If the question, “so what,” is always in the grant writer’s mind, a strong proposal is nearly always guaranteed. Every part of the proposal should answer that question. If a proposal states that there are too many homeless people in Santa Monica, CA, it should include facts on many homeless people live in that city, why they are there, and what needs to be done to help those people. The grantor needs justification to give out the limited funds available. The more compelling and concrete the case, the easier it is to award money.

So, remember fit, following directions, and the big “so what.” These three principals are central to getting grant proposal funding in any economy.

The copyright of the article Practical Advice for New Grant Writers in Activism is owned by Ann Silverthorn. Permission to republish Practical Advice for New Grant Writers in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.