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I've listed a few hints for successful grant writing below. They may seem really simple.... but I think sometimes it's easy for us to overlook the simple things.
1. Match what you are applying for to the grant
Match the project to the grant. Don't waste your time in going for a grant that doesn't suit what you are trying to achieve. Examine carefully the funding limits. There is no point going for a grant that will give you a maximum of $2000 when you need $25000 to get the project happening.
2. Do your homework
Before you start the application process, take your time and find out all that you can about the grant. Get a feeling for what the grant giving organisation wants to "achieve" by offering these grants. If it's a government grant read other policy documents so that you can find out what the department is all about. Make sure your project will match in with something that they want to achieve. If your project won't match with some minor tweaking, then this grant is not for you. Don't waste your time by applying. In the end, the money you are applying for is not your money. If what you want to do with it doesn't match in with what the organisation wants to achieve with it, they won't give it to you, no matter how good the idea sounds.
You can usually find information and other policy documents on the grant giver's website. If the grants have run before, read what sort of projects they have funded in the past. Don't fall into the trap of exactly duplicating a project that has already been funded. After all, why would the organisation fund the same project twice? If your project is very similar to a previous project, perhaps you could approach them to be a "partner" or a "critical friend" in your project. That way you are expanding the existing project and allowing the giving organisation to do more with their money.
Before I start my grant application, I like to list the grant selection criteria, "buzz" words that seem to be important within the grant giving organisation's documentation and my impression on the agenda of the grant giving organisation. I then try to match these up with my project.
3. Give yourself plenty of time
Being a busy person and a very good procrastinator, this is one area that I have difficulty. I inevitably get sick just before the grant application is due and my stress levels get very high just before the due date. Sometimes I really feel sorry for those around me!
Usually when you are submitting a grant application, you are not the "head" of your organisation. The application will require a signature from a Principal or the head of your organisation. Make sure you run the idea for the application past them and make sure you give them time to peruse the application and sign it.
4. Make it easy for the judges
When you describe your project, try to keep in mind that the panelists will have many applications to read and they are not familiar with your circumstances or your project. Very early on in your application make sure you paint a very clear picture of the project, what it will achieve and how it fits in with the grant giving organisation's agenda.
When describing the project, don't give every little detail, just the overall picture. Gloss over the details of the project if it doesn't explain how the project fits in with their agenda. Don't meander away on side issues, keep to the point.
When I first started writing grant applications, I would try to explain how my grant application fitted in with as many bits of the grant giving organisation's agenda as possible. While it is not bad to fit with their agenda, sometimes I would go to far. I'd tie in what I call "glimmers", things that aren't really that significant to the overall running of and effectiveness of the project but matched some small part of the grant giving organisation's agenda. This is a mistake. It can make the point of your project difficult for the panelist to understand. Keep in mind that your project does not need to fill all of the grant giving organisation's agendas at once, it just needs to be in line with one or more of their big agenda items.
I wish you every success in your future grant writing.
I wrote many grant applications before I got my first one. Since then, I have successfully applied for a number of grants. Be persistent!
Written by
Colleen Stieler
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