Grant+Writing+Tips

There are a lot of resources available that have useful information pertaining to successful grant writing. The following is sampling of grant writing tips found on online resources as well as information obtained directly from successful grant writers.
 * Writing your Grant ||
 * * Make sure that your project fits the parameters of the grant. If you have to stretch the imagination to find a connection between your project and the purpose of the grant, then it is not a good fit and it is likely that your grant proposal will probably be rejected.
 * Look over the grant and make sure to include all of the information requested by the granting agency, e.g. essays, mission statement, etc. Many grant proposals are rejected because the basic information requested by the grantors was not included.
 * Before you write your proposal, contact the grantor to be sure you clearly understand the grantor’s guidelines. Sometimes they will be willing to give you a copy of the evaluation form they will be using.
 * State your organization's needs and objectives clearly and concisely. Write well. Do not waste words. Use active rather than passive verbs. Use proper grammar and correct spelling. Be clear, factual, supportable, and professional. A well-written proposal is a key factor in the grantor's decision-making process.
 * Answer these questions: Who are you? How do you qualify? What do you want? What problem will you address and how? Who will benefit and how? What specific objectives will you accomplish and how?
 * Consider including elements such as an implementation timeline or short lit-review to support the method, project, or resource you wish to implement. ||
 * Assessment is Key ||
 * * Grantors want a good return on their investment, so you need to include a plan to quantify the success of your project. There should be an assessment plan included in your proposal even if one is not requested.
 * Consider what you think would make your project a success and then figure out a way to quantify the result. Learning gains, surveys, and evaluations are ways in which you could show grantors that their monies will be well spent.
 * Answer these questions: How will you measure your results? How does your funding request comply with the grantor's purpose, goals and objectives? ||
 * Matching Grants ||
 * * If the grant you are seeking is a matching grant, you can come up with creative ways to match their monies. If you will be spending significant time outside of the classroom prepping for your project, for example firing up the kiln or locating an area for a garden, you can count your hours towards the matching funds required of the grant. Generally, matching grants will allow you to apply 50% of your matching funds in kind, that is, paid in goods, commodities, or services instead of money.
 * Be creative and solicit your matches, which may include significant volunteer hours from yourself or others, before submitting your proposal. ||