The grant writing process is essential to successful grand awards. It is important for who ever is writing the grant to be familiar with the grant writing process.
This is an overview of the grant writing process and is always important to keep the big picture in mind when writing for grant funds.
Alright are you ready? Good! Next we will list the steps involved in this process so your efforts will be organized and deliberate when writing a grant proposal.
1. Search for good funders whose initiatives match your programs and projects. The two most popular ways of locating funders is through the internet and your local Foundational Center. The Foundational Center has a free database that has over 10,000 foundational funders listed. The internet is a vast source of information for corporate and government grants.
2. Obtain the funders’ application guidelines and annual reports. It is very important to call the funder and make sure these have not changed and get a copy of both and read in detail making notes of do’s and don’ts.
3. Next call the funder and talk with the appropriate program officer. This is a very important step do not skip!! Introduce yourself and the organization you represent giving a very short summary of the organization, answering any and all questions asked, and ask specific questions like:
• Would they support your organization?
• What is the amount of funding they would be comfortable with in our request?
• What are the appropriate steps to take next?
4. Go through with the initial approach. In most cases the funder will want you to write a Letter of Inquiry (LOI). Make sure you follow the guidelines and any suggestions by the program officer exactly.
5. Submitting a grant proposal. If they decide after receiving the LOI that you are a prospect for funding they will request either a Letter of Request (LOR) or a full grant proposal. Again it is very important to follow the application guidelines and suggestions by the program officer to the letter.
6. Receiving the grant award. When you receive the letter awarding you funding be sure to immediately send a well thought out thank you letter.
7. If you are declined call the funder. It is expected that you will call for feedback as to why you proposal was not selected for a grant award.
8. After feedback write the funder. Thank them for their time and communications. Never burn a bridge you may want to cross again next year.
Overall always ask and invite the funder to come to your office, events or programs.
Remember, good creative writing is what wins grant awards and that only comes with short, intelligent and professional questions.
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