We can't say it enough. Follow the guidelines! Follow the guidelines! Follow the guidelines! Each foundation or funding agency will have unique directions, guidelines and procedures for developing and submitting the application. The granting organization will tell you exactly what they want from you to allow you access to thier funding. Listen to what they say. Follow their lead. Answer the questions carefully, directly and clearly. Answer the questions precisely as they are presented in the foundation request for proposal/application. Read each question carefully and remember that they are the leaders in this situation and you are following their lead to chart your course to funding success.
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You have heard it before: Haste Makes Waste. When you rush you may not be as thorough as you would like, may make more mistakes and may give the impression that you don't care about quality workmanship. Still, we have all been in the situation where we are working on a grant application until the final deadline hour. It does not have to be like that. A grant application should reflect the highest level of professionalism as it relates to your organization. The application speaks for the entire organization and may be the only representation of you, your work, and the work of our colleagues to the funding agency. It needs to be perfect. In reality, the actual grant application development (preparing and submitting the application itself) represents only 20% of the process. The remaining 80% of the work happens behind-the-scenes in research and program planning before you even start on the application package. To increase your grant award results, be strategic about your time and include only well-planned projects in grant applications. Resist the temptation to 'build a program/project' while developing the grant application where you are essentially chasing the money. Your time will be better spent on outlining, specifically, what it is that you want to fund. You have to plan for success. Grants are no different. Having more than just a vague idea of what your need is and how much money will be needed to address the need is essential. Here is a tip: Plan out, in writing, the whole project/program, all elements, all facets. Identify how long the project/program will take, how much each element will cost and what will be the benchmarks to let you know you have achieved your goals. Questions to answer in your plan include: What do you want to fund? What do you want to accomplish? How much money do you need to do this work? What partners and other support do you have in place? Remember that grant makers fund people not programs so try to make sure that the need of your client/student/patron is at the forefront. While this planning is not likely to be seen by the funder it will be evident in a well-worded application. After you have taken the time to make a plan, you will have internalized the project and will be better able to articulate project elements through the grant application.
Step #1. Research, Research, Research!
Have you ever had this experience: Your boss hands you a notice of a funding opportunity and says “I'd like you to write this grant. It looks pretty easy. Just answer the questions, and by the way, it’s due in a week”? One of the most common misconceptions about grant development is that it’s all about the writing. All you have to do is answer the questions, submit it, and voila, the money comes pouring in! Read and listen carefully and you’ll notice that the MAPs Team always refers to it as grant development, not grant writing. The writing portion of a proposal is only a small portion of the development process, and should not be attempted until all other steps are taken! In order to develop a good, solid, and fundable proposal, you must take the time to research funding opportunities, find foundations that align with your program and mission, and work with your team to create a program that works for all the people who will be involved in implanting the program. Research to determine if a foundation’s priorities align to your needs. Research what they will fund, why they give money, how much they give, and what they want from you BEFORE you begin writing! |
AuthorMarti Hess Archives
December 2012
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