Every time I begin to write a new grant, I feel like I am standing on the edge of a cliff about to dive into cold water! It is thrilling, chilling and intimidating. But, I’ve found grant writing can also be rewarding! I’ll never forget screaming into the phone, “We got the grant! We got the money!” I am energized by that memory every time I begin to write a new grant. So, what makes a successful grant?
Find A Good Fit
The proposed project must fit the funder’s goals. Sometimes organizations find a grant and ask, “What can we do to get this money?” This is a bad approach and wastes your time chasing grants that will probably not be successful. Keep in mind your mission and the projects you want to achieve, and then seek funders whose goals match your organization’s strategic goals.
Finding grants that are a good fit for your project involves some research time. Public libraries have subscriptions to foundation databases, such as Foundation Directory. Usually, you need to travel to your library, but due to the pandemic, many libraries now temporarily offer this database online. The Wichita Public Library has the directory at https://www.wichitalibrary.org/find-a-grant. You can also check a foundation’s website for available grants.
Federal grants are posted on the internet at www.Grants.gov. This website has a search tool that allows you to search grants by agency and categories. It provides several resources on how to write grants and how to apply for federal grants. There is now a mobile app so you can search on your phone or tablet.
Grants usually have a program officer assigned with contact information. I always call or e-mail the program officer before starting to write. I introduce myself and ask if they think my project would be fundable with their grant. Program officers can provide tips on how to focus your proposal.
Create a Well-Conceived Plan
Start by developing a project plan and timeline. A good tool for project planning, and one that many grants are now requiring, is a logic model. The Kellogg Foundation < https://www.wkkf.org/> has an excellent logic model development guide. The logic model will help you think through and outline the major parts of your grant narrative. It will guide you through the development of needs, goals, activities, outcomes, impact, and evaluation, which are typically the major sections in the grant narrative.
Develop a Realistic Budget
Now that you have your logic model developed, you are ready to create the budget, which puts costs to the project. Remember, the budget tells the same story as the narrative. Everything you mention in the narrative must appear in the budget. Most grants only allow you to include costs that occur after you are awarded the grant. You will typically be asked for a “match” or “cost share” which is your organization’s contribution to the project. The match does not necessarily have to be cash. You can often include an in-kind match, such as volunteer time or facilities space. Typically, you can also count staff time that is dedicated to the project. Keep your budgets realistic for the project you are proposing. Grant reviewers are knowledgeable and can spot padded budgets. Unrealistic budgets will typically not be funded, and you risk insulting the funder.
Write a Powerful Narrative
You are now ready to begin writing the narrative. The focus of your narrative should be about how you can serve your clients or the public with the grant funds. A common mistake is to emphasize your organization’s internal needs for the money. Remember, your funder has goals they want to achieve with their funds. Show how your project will move the needle towards achieving the funder’s goals and serving clients and the community. You must show impact from your project.
A few final tips.
Use simple and powerful words and keep paragraphs within five to seven sentences. Do not exceed the page limits and use the exact font size and margins required in the guidelines. Use the same section headings and key words that are included in the grant guidelines. Ask others to read your grant for clarity. Grants will not pay for a grant writer, however, they often will pay for an independent program evaluator. Submit your grant. If you are awarded, celebrate! If you are not, ask for the reviewer’s comments, rewrite, and resubmit……. resubmit……. resubmit. Go ahead…dive in…the treasure awaits!
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