When I first started as a grant writer, I was intimidated by the industry and its rules. I felt like I didn’t know enough about grants to compete with my peers or even with seasoned professionals who had been doing this for years.
But now that I’ve gotten some experience under my belt, here are 19 things that helped me get up to speed on how to be successful as a grant writer:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Understanding the Grant Process: Familiarize yourself with the grant application process, deadlines, and requirements to set a solid foundation. |
| 2. Clear Project Goals: Define clear and achievable project goals that align with the grant’s objectives and showcase its impact. |
| 3. Research the Funders: Thoroughly research potential funders to ensure your project aligns with their mission and priorities. |
| 4. Compelling Narrative: Craft a compelling narrative that effectively communicates your project’s purpose, significance, and potential outcomes. |
| 5. Budget Precision: Develop a detailed and well-structured budget that accurately reflects the project’s needs and expenses. |
| 6. Collaboration Matters: Collaborate with colleagues and experts to enhance the quality of your proposal and strengthen your case. |
| 7. Evidence of Impact: Provide evidence of the potential impact of your project, including data, testimonials, and relevant statistics. |
| 8. Clarity in Writing: Write concisely and clearly, avoiding jargon and ensuring that your proposal is easy to understand. |
| 9. Review and Edit: Proofread and edit your proposal meticulously to eliminate errors and improve its overall quality. |
| 10. Demonstrate Sustainability: Outline how your project will continue to thrive beyond the grant period, demonstrating sustainability. |
| 11. Be Persistent: Embrace rejection as part of the process and use feedback to refine your proposals for future applications. |
1. Don’t Panic!
There’s a common misconception that grant writing is an art and not a science. This is true to some extent, but certain elements are easier to understand than others.
If you find yourself struggling with the technical side of grant writing, don’t panic! You will learn how to handle it with time and practice.
It’s also important not to stress out over every little thing when working on grants you’ll only end up making things harder on yourself in the long run if you do this.
Instead of worrying about what could go wrong (which isn’t going to help anything), focus on learning from your mistakes so that next time around things will go more smoothly!
Effective collaboration is essential in grant writing. Learn how to ensure smooth communication and coordination by reading our guide on getting your grant writing team on the same page.
2. Hone Your Writing Skills
As you begin your career as a grant writer, you must hone your writing skills. Most of the time, that means writing in a way that is clear and concise. You want to make sure that what you say is easy to read, easy to understand, easy to follow, and easy to remember.
If your audience has any kind of learning disability or difficulty with English (or any other language), make sure your words are written in simple language.
Be careful not to use jargon; instead, write using the same words as an average reader would use when speaking about their own experience or topic area the idea here is not just about making things easier for those who have trouble reading.
But also keeping the meaning of what’s being said intact by avoiding overly technical terms. It may take some practice at first but once you’re comfortable with this style of writing then it will become second nature!
Get Some Experience In The Field You Want To Work In
Volunteering is a great way to get some experience in the field you want to work in. It’s also a great way to get involved with organizations and communities, which can be important when writing grant proposals.
I highly recommend volunteering wherever you can: at your local library or school, as an adult leader in Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, at churches or synagogues or mosques you get the idea!
Volunteering isn’t just about helping others; it’s also about learning how your community operates and what sorts of issues people face daily.
You’ll learn who gives money away and why they do so (or don’t). You’ll learn what kinds of projects are most likely to win funding from various agencies, nonprofits, and schools you name it!
3. Polishing Your Portfolio
Your portfolio is your calling card to the world of grant writing. It needs to be a reflection of your skills, abilities, and experience.
Before sending out your portfolio for review, make sure it’s up-to-date.
If you don’t have any samples in the past three years, talk about what kind of work you want to do moving forward and why that would be beneficial for both parties (you and whomever you are submitting your portfolio).
In addition to including samples from previous projects along with a cover letter that explains why you are the right person for the job (and why they should hire you).
Include a resume so that employers can see what kind of education/experience qualifies them as an expert at grant writing
Maximizing your grant funding is a priority for nonprofits. Explore valuable insights and strategies in our article about tips for getting more grant money with nonprofit proposal writing.
4. Networking, Conferences, And Events
Networking is key to your success as a grant writer, so find a way to get involved with the grant writing community.
Conferences and events are great places for networking because you can meet new people who share similar interests as you. In addition to that, conferences provide an opportunity for professional development.
The speakers will be able to offer valuable insight into their field of expertise, which can give you ideas on where and how to improve your skillset. Other attendees will also be in search of someone like yourself who is looking for work or even just encouragement!
Don’t forget about social media either! There are many Facebook groups dedicated solely to grant writing professionals – so try getting involved with those communities if possible!
It’s easy enough these days (just use Google) but make sure that whatever groups/communities do exist are legitimate before committing any time at all there.”
5. The Grant Writing Handbook For Nonprofits
The Grant Writing Handbook for Nonprofits is a great resource for anyone who wants to learn how to write grants. It’s organized by grant types and includes examples of successful applications.
The book is also a useful reference when you’re writing your grant application because it has all the information that you need in one place.
6. Know The Rules And Regulations Of Fundraising
To be a successful grant writer, you must know the rules and regulations of your organization’s fundraising efforts. For example, does your organization have a policy on how much time is allowed to pass between asking for donations?
Are there any restrictions on what types of gifts are accepted (i.e., no cash)? Does your organization accept gift cards as donations? If so, are there specific types or brands they will or will not accept?
You should also know if some gifts do not qualify as tax-deductible contributions (for example alcohol).
Crafting a compelling grant proposal requires attention to detail. Discover 10 essential factors to keep in mind in our comprehensive guide on 10 things to consider when writing a grant proposal.
7. Know The Rules And Regulations Of Fundraising In Your Industry/Profession
In addition to knowing about company policies for accepting gifts, it is also important to understand professional standards for granting agencies themselves. For example: Does one federal agency accept only electronic submissions while another accepts only paper copies?
How many times per year can an individual make requests from each government agency? Are there special requirements for applying from foreign countries or territories?
8. Go Above And Beyond On The Job
Be a team player.
You will not be successful if you go through the motions and do what is required of you, but no more than that. You must be willing to help others, take on new tasks, and even go above and beyond what is expected of you to get the job done well.
This goes for any job, but especially when it comes to granting writing because there are so many moving parts involved in creating successful grant applications.
Your client may have a specific agenda or goal for their project that does not align with the grantor’s needs (e.g., getting funding from them). In these cases, it can be difficult for both parties involved because they may not want or need something else from each other at all!
Achieving grant success can transform your nonprofit or small business. Learn effective strategies and insights from our resource on how to win a grant for your nonprofit or small business.
9. Take Extra Steps To Learn About Grants You’re Writing
Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to dive into the grantee and grantor. Know what they’re all about and why they’re doing what they’re doing.
For example: Do you know that most of the money goes toward administrative costs? Do you know how much of your organization’s budget comes from government grants versus outside donations?
10. Avoid Misrepresentation And Messing Up Ethics
A big part of your job is to know the rules, which means you need to be able to identify when someone is misrepresenting themselves or their organization. There’s a lot of gray area in this area, so I’ll give you some examples.
Don’t claim a degree you don’t have.
Don’t claim experience that doesn’t exist yet or was not part of your job description before the grant was written (e.g., if you’re applying for an international trip and the proposal states that it will be your first time abroad).
Don’t pretend like the situation is worse than it is (e.g., if there are problems with sustainability, don’t suggest they’re more severe than they are)
Don’t lie about benefits from funding proposals (i.e., saying that money will go directly toward helping animals when it goes toward paying down debt).
If possible, avoid mentioning costs at all especially if those costs are outside what can reasonably be expected/budgeted for by donors who read this information later on down the line!
11. Don’t Give Up!
You will get rejected from grants, and that’s okay. It’s good because it means you’re learning how to write better proposals.
You’ll also find times where you feel like you know what you’re doing and then submit a proposal to a funder only to find out that they rejected it because of an error in formatting or wording on your part (or maybe even because someone else submitted the same idea as yours!).
This is all part of the process of learning how things work in this industry you can’t succeed without failing sometimes! It’s important not to let rejection discourage you;
However, if something doesn’t seem right about your ideas or proposals, ask for help from other people who might be able to see things differently than yourself someone else might be able to help point out some holes in what could otherwise be great projects!
Mastering grant writing is a journey of deliberate practice. Explore the concept of deliberate practice and its application in creative writing through our article on the secret to deliberate practice in creative writing.
Conclusion
So, in the end, what did I learn from my experience as a grant writer? You can’t put a price on experience. It’s vital to get some experience before starting as a grant writer, even if it’s not in your chosen field of work.
The more you understand how the grant process works and what grants look like when they’re finished, the better prepared you’ll be when applying for one yourself!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources you might find helpful to enhance your understanding and skills:
Explore the fundamentals of grant writing and learn essential techniques to create effective grant proposals.
15 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Writing
Gain insights from an experienced writer’s journey, offering valuable lessons for those embarking on their writing careers.
10 Tips for Successful Grant Writing
Discover expert advice on writing successful grant proposals and optimizing your chances of securing funding.
FAQs
Grant Writing Basics
Q: What are the key components of a strong grant proposal?
A: A strong grant proposal typically includes an executive summary, a clear project description, a budget plan, and a compelling case for the project’s impact.
Q: How can I improve my grant writing skills?
A: Practice and continuous learning are crucial. Consider workshops, courses, and seeking feedback from experienced grant writers to refine your skills.
Q: What should I emphasize in the grant proposal to stand out?
A: Highlight the project’s goals, outcomes, and how it aligns with the funder’s mission. Focus on the potential positive impact of your project.
Q: How do I find relevant grants for my project?
A: Research grant databases, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies that provide funding in your field. Tailor your proposals to match the specific requirements.
Q: What are common mistakes to avoid in grant writing?
A: Avoid vague language, neglecting to follow guidelines, and not demonstrating the project’s feasibility or impact. Proofreading and attention to detail are crucial.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.