Things I Wish 14-Year-Old Grantwriting Me Knew

As a young grantwriter, I wish I had known some things about writing grants.

I’ve been working in science for over 25 years now, and most of my career has been spent writing grants for research projects. I started my career at a time when there was no online database of all federal funding opportunities (now called Grants.gov).

In fact, the only way to find out if your project was eligible for funding or if your institution had received a particular grant opportunity was by calling up someone at NIH or NSF and asking them directly and this would have been after searching through hundreds of pages on microfiche!

This situation changed dramatically with the advent of computerization, but still… it wasn’t easy back then to figure out where money might come from!

How Hard Is It To Write a Grant?

Takeaways
1. Start early and develop strong writing skills.
2. Seek mentorship and guidance from experienced grant writers.
3. Research thoroughly before applying for grants.
4. Focus on building relationships with funders.
5. Embrace failure as a learning opportunity.
6. Understand the importance of budgeting and financial planning.
7. Tailor each proposal to the specific funder’s goals.
8. Be persistent and don’t be discouraged by rejections.
9. Keep learning and staying updated about grant trends.
10. Remember that perseverance pays off in grant writing.

Table of Contents

Set Low Expectations For Your First Grant

If you’re anything like me, your first grant request is going to go less than smoothly. Although I was fortunate enough to be funded for my first project (the “How Do You Feel About That?” study), it was not at the level of money and time that I wanted (or expected).

Even though I got more than half of what I asked for ($20K instead of $40K), it still wasn’t enough to run the study exactly how I wanted.

You may get funded at all! But if you don’t consider a lower amount or shorter period of time as acceptable outcomes now, then you’ll be disappointed later on when other projects come along but aren’t feasible because they require more funding than what is available in your budget.

If you’re aiming to secure grant funding for your nonprofit or small business, it’s crucial to understand the strategies that lead to success. Explore our guide on how to win a grant and gain insights into maximizing your chances of receiving funding.

Don’t Look For The Perfect Idea

You may remember the first time you were asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” You probably had a quick and confident answer. If someone had told me that I would be writing grants for a nonprofit at 14 years old, I would have answered: “A doctor!”

But today, if someone asked the same question, my answer would be different. The reason is that idealistic thinking can get in the way of practicality and we need more practical people in this world! Instead of asking yourself what your dream job might be, ask yourself:

What ideas are most likely to succeed? What ideas will pay off financially? It’s okay if it doesn’t come naturally at first; it takes practice before we learn how to think like successful grant writers (or anything else).

Look For A Weakly Funded Area Of Research

This one may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised by how many students worry about getting their foot in the door first and then worry about funding later. Let’s say you want to study the effects of climate change on coral reef health a popular topic!

You might think it would be easy enough to get grants based on this topic because everyone is interested in it.

But there are already so many people working on this issue that funding is spread thin, especially if you haven’t shown yourself as an expert yet. Your career won’t start there and neither will your research career (unless you get lucky).

Effective grant proposal writing can significantly impact your ability to secure funding for your nonprofit endeavors. Discover valuable tips and techniques in our article about getting more grant money with nonprofit proposal writing and improve your grant-seeking outcomes.

Avoid New Research Agencies

When you’re first starting out as a grant writer, it’s tempting to work with small agencies that don’t have the name recognition and clout of larger ones.

But while these organizations may be more likely to give you your first break and help you get your foot in the door, they have their drawbacks.

Smaller nonprofits are more likely to be risk-averse they prefer projects with proven outcomes rather than innovative approaches or pilot programs and they often lack the resources needed to support larger grant proposals.

In addition, smaller nonprofits tend not to have dedicated staff members who can provide ongoing coaching and guidance for your proposal development process;

Instead, they’ll assign one person (often an intern) per project that probably doesn’t know much about writing effective proposals anyway.

So how do you know if an agency is right for your organization? Take some time upfront before contacting them about a potential partnership so that when you do reach out:

You’ve done research on them (including talking with other people who’ve worked with them before)
You understand their mission statement so well that you can craft a tailored message based around it

Take Advantage Of Your Youthful Naivete

This is the perfect time to explore new ideas and concepts without having to worry about what “experts” will think of you for doing so. I find that asking questions is one of the best ways to learn something and it’s far better than just plowing ahead and making mistakes due to ignorance or inexperience, which can be much more costly!

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If there’s something you don’t understand, speak up and ask! And if someone has told you something that doesn’t make sense, ask them again until they explain themselves clearly or admit they don’t know (or both).

Remember: You have nothing to lose by asking questions in fact, it’s often helpful to get some answers before moving forward with a project so you know where your work stands in relation with other projects/ideas out there in Grantland.

Do not be ashamed if someone else has already done what you are attempting unsuccessfully; instead, take heed of their experience and avoid making similar mistakes.

Be willing to learn from others’ failures as well as successes; this will help prevent future disasters by enabling better preparation for future endeavors.

Don’t let fear stop you from speaking up about an idea because “it might not work.” Your voice matters just as much as anyone else’s input!

Reflecting on the journey of becoming a grant writer, one often wonders about the advice they wish they had received when they started. Dive into our piece on 11 things I wish I knew when I started as a grant writer to discover insights that can aid your own grant writing path.

Be Open To Working With Others

My advice to you is to start building your team as soon as possible. What do I mean by “team?” A collaborative group of people with different skills, who are working towards the same goal.

As a new grantwriter, you may not have much experience or skill and will need help from someone else who does. This could be a colleague at work, an agency partner, or even a friend or family member who has had more time in the field than yourself.

The point is: find people whom you admire and trust people who know what they’re doing and are willing to share their knowledge with you (and vice versa!).

As time goes on and your grantwriting career grows into its own identity within your company/organization/community, these relationships will become even more important for their ability to make sure projects are completed on time without sacrificing quality or vision.

Find Good Collaborators

Before you start writing that first grant, find collaborators. Find someone who is passionate about your project, has skills you don’t have, is open to collaboration and good at communicating their ideas clearly.

They should be a good writer, a good scientist (or artist or whatever) and ideally also like the idea of working with a kid whose only experience with grants is reading them in bed at night.

Find A Good Mentor Early On

A mentor is someone who has been successful in grantwriting, and is willing to share their experience with you. My first good mentor was Seth Kahan, director of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance (GPCA).

He helped me get my first grant and taught me how important it is to have a strong project statement for your application. If you can find someone who can help you develop your writing skills as well, even better!

Read up on grantmaking trends. I wish I had known more about trends in grantmaking when I was 14 years old!

The Foundation Center publishes “The Grantsmanship Center’s Guide to Proposal Writing for Government Grants” every year and it includes tips about getting started in government grants as well as strategies for applying successfully for them.

Embracing the world of grant writing comes with its own unique set of rewards. Delve into our thoughts on the top 12 reasons why I’m glad to be a grant writer to gain a deeper understanding of the positive aspects that this field can offer.

Write One Grant Well Rather Than Three Grants Poorly

As you begin to write your grants, keep in mind that good writing skills are essential. You will be competing against hundreds of other applicants who have mastered the art of grant writing and may have a better idea than yours.

Your potential reviewers will also be looking for a compelling story as well as clear, concise writing that highlights your project’s impact on your target population. The first step to improving your chances of success is starting with a strong foundation:

A good idea
A strong team
A mentor who can help guide you along the way
Collaborators willing to work with you

Don’t Worry About Chasing Hot Subtopics

Hot topics are often over-subscribed, meaning that there are simply more researchers working on that subject than available funding.

This is especially true of biomedical and social science grants. If you don’t have a strong network or track record, you will likely have a hard time obtaining funding for your project.

Don’t assume that just because your topic is “hot,” it will be easier to get funded from multiple agencies at once. On the contrary: many agencies think about research differently than others do and will not want to work with each other in the same way.

For example, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) focuses on basic laboratory research while National Science Foundation (NSF) funds applied research projects that lead to technology transfer or economic development — even though both agencies fund health-related research!

So if your project doesn’t fit within one agency’s mission but fits into another’s perfectly well—go ahead and submit it! The worst thing they can say is no thanks 🙂

Read Grant Reviews Closely And Incorporate Their Feedback Into Your Next Grant

Read the grant review comments carefully, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. You will learn something from every grant review you ever have, so there’s no point in being shy about asking for clarification or confirmation if you’re not sure about something.

The reviewers are there to tell you whether your proposal is ready for submission or not, and they’re usually very good at explaining why they feel that way. Do not take it personally if they suggest changes; they are doing their job!

The only thing worse than having someone tell me I can’t submit my application as-is would be having them tell me afterward that my idea was good enough but I just wasn’t able to execute it well enough (and let’s face it: this happens more often than we’d like).

If I had known how important reviewing process feedback would become during my first few years on the job market, I would have been better prepared mentally and professionally by reading up on best practices as soon as possible not just during my final year before graduation!

Engage In Scientific Discourse Early On, So You Can Learn How To Review Grants Effectively

This is the most important thing I wish 14-year-old Grantwriting Me knew. Reviewing grant proposals is a skill that will help you in your career.

Learning how to critique the writing and structure of a research project can make all the difference between success and failure when writing your grants. There are several ways that you can learn how to review grants:

By reviewing other grant proposals (you have no idea what they should look like or sound like until you read some yourself)
By reviewing your own grant proposals (no matter how much feedback you get from others, it’s always helpful to go back through them yourself with fresh eyes)
By reviewing grant proposals from other people (this might be obvious but it helps if someone else already tried it before so now there’s an example for everyone else)

Crafting a compelling grant proposal requires a careful balance of strategy and creativity. Elevate your proposal-writing skills with our comprehensive guide, 13 tips to help you write fundable proposals, and enhance your ability to secure grant funding for your projects.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, writing grants is a job. It’s a job that pays well and helps your organization make the difference it was meant to make in the world.

It can also be pretty frustrating at times. But if you take this knowledge with you as you start on your journey, I think it will help set yourself up for success.

FAQs

What are the key elements of a strong grant proposal?

A strong grant proposal typically includes a clear problem statement, well-defined objectives, a detailed project plan, a realistic budget, and a compelling case for the project’s impact.

How can I make my grant proposal stand out from the competition?

To stand out, focus on crafting a compelling narrative, providing evidence of the project’s feasibility and potential outcomes, and demonstrating alignment with the funder’s priorities.

Are there common mistakes to avoid in grant proposal writing?

Yes, common mistakes include vague language, lack of clarity in goals, ignoring guidelines, and submitting incomplete applications. Thorough proofreading and adherence to guidelines are crucial.

What strategies can help in finding relevant grants for my project?

Start by researching funding databases, reaching out to relevant organizations, and networking within your field. Tailor your proposal to match the funder’s mission and objectives.

How should I approach the budgeting aspect of a grant proposal?

Budgeting should be detailed and well-reasoned. Include all anticipated expenses, such as personnel, materials, and overhead costs. Ensure your budget aligns with the project’s scope and goals.

Costantine Edward

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.