\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Relate the idea to a specific need or problem that can be associated with it. Is the idea solutions-based? In other words, can you take the idea and attach some specific objectives to it that can be measured? Grant funders love measurable objectives because they provide evidence that their contributions have truly made a difference.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Ideas must pass the \u201cso what\u201d test. Does the idea have the potential to make a difference in the lives of real people? What, specifically will change?<\/p>\n
To be grant-worthy, good ideas need a sprinkling of magic\u2014what can be called Innovation Pixie Dust.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0While you don\u2019t have to re-invent the wheel (and in many cases funders don\u2019t want you to), you do have to build a few new spokes. Look for existing models for your idea that have proven benefit in the field. How can you take an existing model in a new and exciting direction? Just about every grant proposal requires you to come up with a plan for how you will implement the project if funded. Sketch out the major activities and then plug in the details.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Start with the end in mind. What will be achieved? Build in processes along the way for measuring the impact your project is making through data collection. If your project is funded, these data collection checkpoints will provide regular opportunities for you to reflect on what is going well with your project and what aspects may need adjustment. Once you have a blueprint for a fundable proposal, finding the appropriate funding partner is key. While you might be the Champion of your project\u2019s cause, an interested and engaged funder is your Superhero\u2014a partner who will fly in and help you get your project off the ground and running (what is sometimes called \u201cseed funding\u201d) or a partner who will expand and deepen the impact of budding best practices. Some tips regarding funders.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Carefully read funding guidelines (preferably, more than once) and take good notes. If the funder website contains lists of past grantees, review this list to see if they fund organizations like yours and\/or projects that are similar. Take note of any geographic restrictions the funder may have. Read the agency\u2019s annual report so you are aware of their strategic direction and major accomplishments. Take a look at the funder\u2019s Board of Directors to see if you, or any of your colleagues, have networking ties with the organization.<\/p>\n Everyday, there is a right moment and right time for a good phrase to draw in the grant reviewers to your proposal. Dr. Beverly Johnson, a grant writing consultant,\u00a0has written a great book, Perfect Phrases for Writing Grant Proposals<\/em>, that can provide you with information about how to present your case for grant money to\u00a0potential givers. It’s an excellent side guide for supplementing one’s selling points with dynamic phrases to peak the interest of the donors. This book has hundreds of phrases ready for you to use in your grant writing odyssey.<\/p>\n When you work through this simple formula for success, you\u2019ve accomplished the hardest part of grant writing\u2014developing a sound, innovative, detailed concept with a plan for how it will play out, and the identification of a select group of funders who are the best fit to champion your cause.<\/p>\n Everyday, there are thousands of organizations seeking grant writers for opportunities to obtain funding. This funding is the blood that keeps an organization able to operate it’s mission. These steps compose an excellent catalyst for getting on the right track for grant writing. By following these tips, one not only masters the tools of the trade, but also can develop the confidence for taking on grant writing projects.<\/p>\n GrantWatch<\/a> has numerous projects for grant writers. It also has opportunities for those looking to join GrantWriterTeam<\/a>. Come visit us for grant writing opportunities!<\/p>\n About the Author<\/strong>: Barbara is a professional grant writer with over 15 years of experience writing successful federal, state, corporate and private grant proposals. She is a member of Grant Writer Team, a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), specializing in higher education and nonprofit grant writing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Does this sound familiar? Many beginning grant writers start off by sending the same sample grant template to a variety of different funders. When the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1332,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-grant-seeker"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.grantwriterteam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Untitled-design-2022-03-23T104449.001.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6c2tj-z","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grantwriterteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grantwriterteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grantwriterteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grantwriterteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grantwriterteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.grantwriterteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1402,"href":"https:\/\/www.grantwriterteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35\/revisions\/1402"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grantwriterteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1332"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grantwriterteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grantwriterteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grantwriterteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Research best practices and know what they are, where they have been implemented, and results. Talk to successful project directors locally and nationally for advice, strategies and to identify existing gaps you might be able to fill.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Many grant funders like to see cross-disciplinary efforts. Grant proposals that are too insular and don\u2019t show adequate internal and external collaboration can be a red flag to a funding agency.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Cross check your timeline against the project budget. Both sections should tell the same story.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0071495843&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=grantnepress-20\")