Where do I start?

Bonjour!! I thought I would start at the beginning for those new to the concept of grant writing. Many organizations have said over the years of grant writing, “Anyone can write a grant.”  While it is true that you physically can write a grant, not everyone has the skill or vision for it. ( I have reviewed enough grants just to nod and smile when I hear that.) Successful grant writing is a learned skill that gets polished over time.

I will say that to do this effectively, even with AI tools and Grammarly, you need to have a decent grasp of English and grammar.  AI is making great strides in writing, but having reviewed Federal grants, I can tell you that it’s often not that hard to tell who wrote from their skills and those who relied heavily on AI. The flow is different.  Not to say that you shouldn’t use AI if you are struggling to find words to really “jazz” up what you are trying to say. (I bet AI could have helped me find a better word than jazz 😊)

In addition to having basic writing skills, here are a few other things that you might consider if you are just getting started.

  • Take a short course or workshop on grant writing. In my rural area, workshops are offered periodically at our community colleges for free or at a meager cost. These workshops won’t tell you everything, but they provide a solid foundation and equip you with the necessary skills for what is ahead of you. By attending these workshops, you will feel equipped and ready to take on the challenge of grant writing.
  • Find a mentor. This is how I learned to write grants. I had an Executive Director who had many years of successful writing experience, and she was very willing to pass that torch. Regardless of the less-than-exciting nature of grant writing, a mentor can help lay out the work, but most importantly, they can read your drafts (yes, drafts plural) and give you notes. Those notes are invaluable as you are learning. So, find yourself a mentor and feel supported and guided in your journey. In the absence of a mentor, Blogs and YouTube experts are great options. Consultants are an excellent resource, but the cost can be prohibitive.
  • Do your research.  What do I mean?  You have to know if what you want to do is permitted by the funding opportunities that you are looking at. Things can go sideways quickly if you don’t do research. Thorough research will prepare you and give you the confidence to proceed with your grant writing.

Example: Imagine you will start a pilot program for opportunity youth. You have worked with your team to determine the who, what, where, etc. When the grant opportunity opens, you start putting your grant together, realizing that the grant does not permit staff costs.   Who is going to do the work? Who is going to pay for these employees?  Opportunity youth have many needs and require a LOT of work. Can your existing staff pile on these duties?  This is why research is necessary.  Google those Foundations to see what they need or get your hands on a previous application version and use that to determine appropriateness.  Trust me when I say pre-work and planning are the real flex to grant writing.

I hope that this was helpful. The more I write, the more I want to tell you.  Keep it wordy, friends!

~Tiff