Relax....and Tell your Story

Sometimes we talk so much about the technical aspects of grant writing that we forget to stress the most important thing - It's all about telling your story. It's the story of where you have been, where you are now, and most importantly, where your organization is going. Your ultimate purpose is to communicate your story in a compelling enough way to convince a funder to invest in you. Even in a large federal competition in which readers are assigning scores to sections of your proposal (sometimes they even assign scores to subsections), it's still about how clearly you can communicate a compelling story.

I have read grants that were technically quite good, but they lacked any feel of authenticity, any sense of genuine commitment to the cause or vision.  On the other hand, I have also read grants that had many technical issues, but communicated a powerful sense of commitment, competence, and passion for the vision.

Don't get me wrong. The best scenario is to tell a compelling story within the context of a document that is technically superior, but the primary purpose of communicating your story should always been in the forefront of your mind.

The best grants, like the best in any genre of writing, are the ones that read easily, like a story well told. You are left with a clear understanding of what is being proposed, who is proposing it, and why they are proposing it. Technical prowess helps you use language to bring the story to center stage, but it can't take the place of having a compelling story to tell.

So relax.....and just tell your story.

A personal note from the Grant Goddess....

Grant writing is no mystery. It just takes some planning and attention to detail. Of course, one of the most common arguments I hear from people about why they choose not to apply for grant funding is that they don’t have time. I know exactly what they are talking about! We all seem to be busier than ever. However, there are some opportunities that you just can’t afford to pass up.

Mini-grants are a wonderful opportunity to sharpen your grant writing skills without spending hours and hours developing a lengthy proposal. Can you think of anything positive you could do with $500? How about $1,000? Or $5,000? Try your hand at writing a mini-grant or two. Starbucks gives grants between $5,000 and $20,000 and the application is surprisingly simple. New guidelines will be released in early 2008, so be sure to watch the website. Target Foundation grants are another great opportunity for a small project. Check the Target website in January and February. They accept applications between February 1 and October 1 of each year. It is highly recommended that you apply early in the funding window because once the funds are gone no more grants will be awarded. Check with other department stores and businesses to see what grants and/or corporate giving opportunities are available in your local area.