BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER Grant Writing PROCESS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER

Before you start… Stop, look and listen Before you cross the street Words of wisdom from my kindergarten teacher, that resonate to this day Stop, look and listen Before you cross the street Use your eyes Use your ears Before you use your feet!

What that means is Hear about a funding opportunity Think of a new program that sounds like a match Find the application Start filling out application close to the deadline Run around trying to find disparate pieces of required information Demand that your grant application jump the queue of all other internal priorities because you have a deadline! Burn bridges and use up the goodwill of your colleagues to obtain their required content, their sign-off or their cooperation without knowing all the details Submit your application which includes vague references to how you will measure the program because you can deal with that later Wait for good news to follow – then begin project!

Seek first to understand, then to be understood – Dr. Stephen Covey With this in mind, bring together a team of subject matter experts to review the opportunity in detail. Ask your team a few questions… Do you understand the needs of your intended audience? Do you understand the needs of your donor? Is there a match? If yes… Learning to communicate effectively is the most important life skill. And communication is a function of both sending and receiving information, to build shared understanding. It isn’t just an outbound message. (That’s called an outbound message).

Seek first to understand, then to be understood – Dr. Stephen Covey Do you understand the existing resources available in your community? Do you understand the existing capacity of your organization to deliver on its promise? Specifically: Is this project aligned with your strategic plan priorities? If so… Do you have available resources to do the work Have you established a partnership with another organization – what is their role How does this project rank in terms of your existing priorities? Will you drop something in order to begin a new project, or will you deliver more with existing resources? Do you have the time for all aspects of the project – relationship with the funder, ongoing reports and updates to the funder, measurement, sustainability of the project beyond the funded period of time, internal communication, reporting on progress to your Board. Learning to communicate effectively is the most important life skill. And communication is a function of both sending and receiving information, to build shared understanding. It isn’t just an outbound message. (That’s called an outbound message).

Final thoughts Grant writing is similar to telling a story… a clear plot line with clearly definied characters that seek resolution to a well defined problem (or need). Know your audience Be compelling with your case. And show what you know (before, during and after)