GRANT WRITING FOR SUCCESSKirsten M. Johnson

EXPERIENCE WITH GRANTWRITINGHow many people have written…

Fewer than 5 grants10 or more grantsMore than you can count

KIRSTEN M. JOHNSON 10+ years sharing the stories of nonprofit organizations

through communications and fundraising materials. Writing published in books, magazines and online

publications. Government, corporate, and private foundation

proposals. Program expertise in aging services, youth development,

and homeless services.

SESSION OVERVIEW

Writer Researcher Relationship Builder

Simplifying the writing process

Successful grant seeking strategies

Research resources Building relationships

Skills needed to succeed in grantwriting:

What we will cover in today’s session:

“I hate writing, I love having

written.”- Dorothy Parker

If you write grants, you are a writer.

All writers experience

writer’s block.

WRITING IS A THREE STEP PROCESSPlanningDrafting Editing

PLANNING Making the case

What is the problem or need? Why should someone invest in your work to solve it?

Creating an outline Main points to make your case Funder questions, RFP, etc.

Doing your research Funder Information Reader Analysis Program Information

DRAFTING Free form writing

Resist the urge to edit Consider turning off your monitor

Getting your main points down on paper Editing a draft is far easier than editing a blank page

Stopping to edit at designated points Decide if you will stop each paragraph, section, etc.

EDITING Polishing what you have written

Take time away from the proposal before you edit

Improving clarity, style, length Having someone else read your proposal

An editor from outside your program, field, etc. is especially valuable

PROOFREADING Final stage of editing

Spelling Grammar Format

“On average today’s readers have an attention span of 15

words per sentence.”- Robert Gunning

FORMATTING

How you format your proposal 1.has a major impact on READABILITY.

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL FORMATTING Maximize white space Paragraphs should be no more than 6 lines long Create variety through use of different paragraphs, lists,

and subheadings All lists should be in bullet form

“Bullet Sandwich” Indicate changes in topic with highlighted subheadings Use a general to specific pattern

Subheadings and introductory sentences Use tables and graphs

Top 10 Do’s and Don’ts of Grant Writing

TOP 10 DO’S AND DON’TS OF GRANT WRITING

1 Don’t waste your time on proposals to funders that

aren’t interested in your work. Do your research, know a funders interests and if they

are a good fit for your organization.

TOP 10 DO’S AND DON’TS OF GRANT WRITING

2 Don’t create a proposal template and reuse it for every

funder. Do follow the instructions and format your proposal

according to the funders outline, questions, or RFP.

TOP 10 DO’S AND DON’TS OF GRANT WRITING

3 Don’t assume your reviewer knows more (or less) than

they do. Do conduct a simple reader analysis and tailor your

proposal to your readers needs.

TOP 10 DO’S AND DON’TS OF GRANT WRITING

4 Don’t neglect the proposal budget. Do realize that many reviewers read the budget first – it

needs to tell the same story as your proposal.

TOP 10 DO’S AND DON’TS OF GRANT WRITING

5 Don’t present an overview of the work of your organization. Do make a compelling case: problem, solution, alignment.

TOP 10 DO’S AND DON’TS OF GRANT WRITING

6 Don’t turn your proposal in at the last minute. Do get your proposal in early, using regular mail delivery.

TOP 10 DO’S AND DON’TS OF GRANT WRITING

7 Don’t spend your whole proposal talking about the

problem. Do provide an overview of the problem, and the outline

the specific solution you intend to implement.

TOP 10 DO’S AND DON’TS OF GRANT WRITING

8 Don’t describe your work only in generalities, use buzz

words, or trendy concepts. Do list concrete, specific outcomes and tie each step of

your plan to achieving your goals.

TOP 10 DO’S AND DON’TS OF GRANT WRITING

9 Don’t try to change your organization to fit a funders

guidelines. Do stick to your mission, be honest, and focus on where

your goals genuinely align with a funders.

TOP 10 DO’S AND DON’TS OF GRANT WRITING

10 Don’t create a document that is packed with data, but

ultimately boring to read. Do paint a picture for your reader by telling the story of

your organization and the work you want to do.

“As anyone who has ever painted a room

knows, at least 80 percent of the job is in the preparation. The same can

be said for grantseeking.”- Cheryl Clarke

DOING YOUR RESEARCH Prospect Research Community Need Program Information

PROSPECT RESEARCH Private Funders Corporate Funders Government Funders

COMMUNITY NEED Federal, State, and County Research Journal Articles and Conference Presentations National Organizations, i.e. AARP, Alzheimer’s

Association, MetLife Local and Regional Organizations, i.e. Wilder Research,

Aging Services of MN, MAAA Twin Cities Compass

PROGRAM INFORMATION Mission, Vision, Core Programs Strategic Plan Business Plan Program Service Descriptions Participant Demographics Program Outcomes

Myth: You have to know someone in order to get funding.

Fact: Complete and compelling proposals get funded.

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS The real advantage to knowing a funder, is that they

know more about your work Building relationships is a skill all grant writers need

INTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS Executive Director Accounting Staff Development Staff Program Staff Board Members

COLLEAGUE RELATIONSHIPS Collaborative Partners Learning Communities Program Champions

EXPERT RELATIONSHIPS Public Sector Employees Researchers National and Local Trade Organizations

FUNDER RELATIONSHIPS Program Officers Trustees

STEPS TO DEVELOPING A RELATIONSHIP WITH A NEW FUNDER Review existing relationships Introductory phone call Ask them for a meeting Send a letter of inquiry Call after an award or denial letter Invite them to special events Attend conferences, events, etc. where they will be

speaking MCN Philanthropy Leaders Breakfast Series

“Writing comes more easily if you have

something to say.”

- Sholem Asch

QUESTIONS?