Chapter 1 – Introduction
How great would it be if you had an amazing project that you wanted to share, because you knew it would make the world better? Well, there are steps to getting that great project out there—and getting money for it, so that you do not have to pay for everything yourself. Yes, it will take time, a few skills, sleepless nights, a few rejections, and a persevering and resilient attitude. However, with this course, you can do it! Whether it is a program you are creating and are passionate about, an organization looking to support the local community, or even a school looking to support student success and professional development, a grant might be the ticket to making those goals a reality. During times of change, increased accountability, and an era of limited resources, securing extramural funding may be the difference between offering a new program that meets an emerging need, or terminating a service. This course will explore the necessary components, keys, and steps to effective grant writing, and the importance of collaboration. It will also explore tips on where and how to locate funding for your projects. Through the course, you will create a repository of information that will be helpful when submitting a grant. Students will leave with a plan and the resources to access potential grants.
The Importance of Being a Competent Grant Writer
The first step to starting the grant-writing process is to not overthink it. You need to make sure that your idea sounds interesting, and is of value to the granting agency. Do not use jargon or any whimsical phrasing while you construct your masterpiece; the reason for this is granting agencies may not have the background you have regarding important outcomes, theoretical frameworks, etc. Rather, granting agencies want the best grant, that will represent their company while serving some aspect of the local community. The second step is to remain positive, yet persuasive. You want to sell yourself and your idea as best you can without conveying an ego. Tips for this include sharing stories that relate to your grant and the outcomes involved, using accurate phrasing and words that align with the agency, and including graphics to support your written statement. A final point about grant writing is to be authentic and genuine in what you present. Never present outside of your scope of practice or knowledge. Ensure that your research is current and that you provide up-to-date facts, figures, and pertinent information in your application. More tips about writing success will be covered in later chapters.
Where to Begin
Congratulations! You have decided to apply for a grant that will help promote and further your idea or agenda. It’s important to know that there are two approaches to seeking a grant: reactive and proactive. Reactive grants are developed as a result of requests for proposals (RFP). Proactive grants identify appropriate funding sources for specific projects, problem-solving initiatives, and/or programs. In both cases, you must know your audience. Yes, your audience. Who are you writing to and who is it that you are interested in helping? You need to know the people you want to help, so you can explain why the money given to you will assist in your cause. If you don’t know the needs of your participant base, how will you explain why you need the money?
Once you can explain what you need the money for and how you will use it, you need to provide line items on how the funding will be used; this is called a budget. Make sure you know all of your costs, because things like indirect costs (IDCs) or facility & administrative costs (FAs) can cut into your budget, and take away from the funds you need to run your program, project, or activity. There are some other costs that you can account for that do not impact your budget. For example, volunteer hours can be counted as a monetary contribution. However, that will be discussed in a later chapter.
There are also visual portions of the grant that need to be submitted. The visual portions are the logic model, representation of the budget, and your evaluation. These pieces will be discussed in later chapters, but you should know they are needed to complete this application process. Once you write down this information, make sure your grant funder aligns with your vision, mission, and values. If the funder’s ideals and values differ from your organization, accepting the funding means you will comprise what your organization values, or take someone else’s values over your own. Remember that all money is not good money. Keep your and your organization’s integrity intact for future grants. Remember to keep track of all the grants you research and apply for; future grant funders like to know your track record for applying for and receiving grants. You will also want to keep a list, to know which grants you have already applied for if they do not provide repeated funds.
What do basketballs and grant proposals all have in common? They all get rejected, so do not feel bad if your first try is not accepted. If you sit down, rethink, and rewrite, you will be on your way to getting the funding that you desire for your program. Let’s get started!
At the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Articulate the keys, steps, and processes to effective grant writing.
- Identify various funding sources relevant and applicable to the three pillars of parks and recreation.
- Articulate, identify, and frame current issues in a way that will lead to a successful grant submission.
References
Bart, M. (May 13, 2009). “The 10 Commandments of Grant Writing.” Faculty Focus. Retrieved from http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/edtech-news-andtrends/the-10-commandments-of-grant-writing/
Clarke, C. (2009). Storytelling for grantseekers: A guide to creative nonprofit fundraising. John Wiley & Sons.
Definition of grant noun. (n.d) Oxford learning dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/grant_2
Glossary of commonly used grant terms. (n.d.). Grant select. Retrieved from https://www.grantselect.com/help/glossary.html
Grant Writing Tips. (n.d.). Central Piedmont Community College. Retrieved from https://www.cpcc.edu/grants-central/writers-workshop/grant-writing-tips
Grant Writing Tips. (Nov 9, 2009). Nevada Arts Council. Retrieved from http://nac.nevadaculture.org/dmdocuments/grant_writing_tips_for_cgo.pdf
Olwell, R. (May 8, 2003). “Learning from Missed Shots.” Inside Higher Education. Retrieved from https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2013/05/08/essaylearning-rejected-grant-applications
Porter, R. (2007). “Why Academics Have a Hard Time Writing Good Grant Proposals.” The Journal of Research Administration, 38(2).
Some Effective Grant Writing Tips. (n.d.). The University of Texas at San Antonio. Retrieved from http://graduateschool.utsa.edu/images/uploads/Booklet_for_Grantwriting_Class_8-07.pdf
Starr, L. (2008). Show me the money: Tips and resources for successful grant writing. Education World. Retrieved from http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/profdev/profdev039.shtml
