Application 11.2

Reflection

Overview:

Grant writing can be difficult. You have a great idea, spend time and energy vetting prospective funders and justifying the need (while working on sustaining the program), only to learn you did not receive funding from a foundation. It happens. In fact, it happens frequently. Is it time to throw in the towel, or are there other options that may benefit you and your organization in the long term? The obvious answer is the latter, and it all starts with relationships.

Although you did not receive the grant, it is important to continue fostering relationships with key players and organizations in your community, because you never know when there will be an opportunity for collaboration.

Assignment:

There are three parts to the assignment. First, if you have not already done so, share your grant application with a neutral third party for their review and feedback (this may be a peer in your class). Ideally, find someone with some knowledge and experience with grant writing so the feedback will be specific to the mechanics, as well as the conceptual idea of the program. Next, give a critical appraisal of the process you used to draft the grant application. In your reflection, share the lessons learned, challenges faced, and recommendations that will help you write another grant. Be sure to reflect on all parts of the process – from the conception of an idea to receiving notification that the grant application was rejected. Finally, what are the next steps, and how do you intend to move forward with your idea?