Hello, Wordy Friends. I thought we would chat today about the importance of reading. Now, in my world, reading is a top-tier way to spend a day. However, there are some benefits to reading, and when it comes to grant writing, it’s an absolute must. So, just as a general observation, those who read are also better writers. Nothing is “always,” but I will say there has been a clear difference between the employees and folks I have worked with on grants in the past. I think reading helps you expand your vocabulary, read more comprehensively, and, in many cases, increase the speed at which you read. In my opinion, there are unlimited benefits to reading.

But how does reading impact your grant writing?

First, the largest section of your grant is called the Narrative. This is where you outline everything you will do with the money the funders grant you. It needs to be clear, concise, and comprehensive. Not to be dramatic, but this could be the only chance you have to get your project “heard.” You need to spend a good amount of time polishing this section and where a proofreader can be critical.

Second, reading is essential because grant applications, like a federal Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), are no joke. Many exceed 50 pages and include a lot of legal jargon, etc. State and organization grants, like Appalachian Regional Commission or Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) and Department of Corrections grants, are similar in their applications, albeit slightly less intense. Foundation and private funding grants are typically the most straightforward and have the shortest list of requirements but generally have smaller funding caps.

You must read these funding opportunity guidelines because they outline your grant’s specifics.

• Deadlines—You cannot miss any deadlines. There are no extensions and no excuses. If it’s not submitted on time, it will not be considered. Suggestion: Make your submission deadline at least one business day before the deadline.                                           

• Narrative requirements- page length, font, spacing, questions that must be answered in the text, list of required attachments, and the outcomes you will be expected to declare. Suggestion: read this section a few times, make notes, and bring a highlighter!  If you exceed the page limit or fail to follow other specifics outlined in the NOFO, your grant will probably not make it past the preliminary review, or it will take point deductions that will put it out of funding contention. Grant writing is one of the times when you MUST follow the rules! No exceptions.

• Budget and Budget Narrative- Most folks do not know what the term “budget narrative” means if you are starting. In addition to putting together a budget as you would for your organization, you also have to break down each of those budget sections and explain in words what is included in that funding, how it will be used, and how you came to that specific amount. I will talk about this and some other specifics in another post, but this is where you might have to reach out for assistance. Suggestion: If finance is not your daily function, you need to ensure that someone who pays your organization’s bills, is in charge of payroll, or is just a partner with experience writing to the entity you are is included on your grant team. If you are writing federal grants, the budget must be very specific; reaching out for help could save you a lot of budget amendments later on.

I hope that my suggestions are helpful to you. I could elaborate more, but this post would be too long. I cannot stress enough, from the perspective of someone who has both written and been a reviewer of grants, that it is essential that you read the funding opportunity application/requirements. As a reviewer, at least when I am reviewing, I am looking for all the ways that the applicants MET the requirements and, therefore, should be funded. So, docking points for failure to follow the guidelines or failing to include attachments is tough. You are spending so much time and effort putting your application together. Do yourself a favor and read, read, read!

Good Luck!!!!

~Tiffanie