People should understand that grants are not merely schemes to raise funds. Grant application entails serious planning, careful management, and a passion to be a catalyst for change. It involves the painstaking task of searching for prospective funders and ultimately narrowing down the search.
A good grant writer can help concretize concepts and ideas; thus, making an excellent presentation of your project. The chance to get everything down on the paper can be a historic event that will consequently resolve the real problems existing in a community for a long time.
Planning Ahead
1. As a grant seeker, it is strongly advised that you make your plans ahead. Unless it is not an emergency, avoid calling funding sources asking for instant money. You need to remember that applying for grants is a process.
2. Provide complete details about the project or program and who will be implementing it. Present proofs that you are capable and qualified to implement activities involved in your project or program.
3. Do not assume that your ‘image’ alone is enough. Show that you know your field by stating your past experiences. On the other hand, be confident by demonstrating evidence(s) that you can start or continue a new project or program that is beyond your field, even if you have no prior experience.
4. Rather than giving sweeping general statements of how many people will be affected, provide an evaluation of past accomplishments.
Right Budget
1. In terms of budget plan, reveal all the items you need by presenting a detailed presentation, not general categories. Try to support your budget with definite figures, not with blurred estimations.
2. State your budget in an honest way and easy to understand approach. Provide a realistic prospect of how you can raise funds in the future, way after a funding period.
3. Be prepared to discuss financial reports. They will serve as a basis to assess the organization’s financial capacity to carry out its objectives.
Try Again
Be ready for the possibility of the funder saying “no” to your grant proposal. Do not get easily frustrated. It is part of the game and besides, you are not alone. There are many individuals and organizations out there that went through several proposal rejections, but remained persistent to apply for funding. Patience is one trait that you need to keep until your project’s turn for funding come.
