Category Archives: grant writing tips

The Power of Subheadings

You have organized your proposal according to the scoring criteria as the RFP has required or suggested, but you find that you still have large blocks of text and you fear that some of your key points may be lost. There are several ways to highlight your key points.  You can use bold or italics. You can use text boxes or other graphics (if the formatting guidelines allow them). You can also use subheadings.

Subheadings are great way to highlight key points and develop more structure in the proposal. They also allow you to break up the text, which makes it easier to read. And remember, making it easier to read means that the readers will like you. That’s a very good thing.

You can create subheadings for the sub-criteria in the scoring guidelines (and you should), but you can also add subheadings that target your key ideas or the core elements of your program design.

Subheadings – simple, but powerful.

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Read more tips like this in 101 Tips for Aspiring Grant Writers.

Published by Creative Resources & Research http://grantgoddess.com

Ten Tips for Grant Writing Success

Learning about grant writing in one blog post is a little like learning about an iceberg from seeing what’s above the water line. This article just shows you part of what’s above the surface, the rest is deeper and there’s a whole lot more to it. I encourage you to search our blog articles and look at our web site resources to learn more. I write whatever feels right at the moment, and this Friday afternoon, writing a simple post about ten tips feels perfect. Here goes:
  1. Learn to write short, declarative sentences;
  2. Correctly target your proposal to the right source;
  3. Follow guidelines and restrictions scrupulously;
  4. Create a writing outline;
  5. Collaborate with your client on program design;
  6. Write objectives that measurably impact the needs identified;
  7.  Keep formatting simple and uncluttered;
  8. Use the services of an editor;
  9. Budget line items should never surprise the reader;
  10. Check the proposal for completeness against a checklist.

Veronica put 101 tips into her book and some of these are probably repeats because they’re each so fundamental to grant development.
Success in grant writing does not happen by accident. Grants are successful because someone can write well, follow directions, and translate a lot of discussion and data into an actionable plan.
If you want to learn more about grant writing, polish and perfect your skills, we can help you do that with our online courses. We also give grant writing seminars on site for groups and we’d love to work with your agency when you need to train staff to write proposals.
Other articles you may enjoy:
Photo Credit – jacob gerritsen
Published by Creative Resources & Research http://grantgoddess.com

New Grant Tips LITE iPhone App!

Our new FREE iPhone App is available! You may have already heard about our Grant Tips iPhone App.  It includes over 100 grant writing tips, a Twitter feed, and inspiration for grant writers.  You can just go to the App Store on your iPhone and search for “Grant Tips.” It only costs 99 cents (not 99 cents a month.  Just 99 cents ….period). The best part is that we keep adding tips, so you buy it once, and it becomes a resource that keeps giving.

Now we have the Grant Tips Lite version, which is 100% FREE. It is just like the full version of the App, except that it only has 50 tips.  If you like it, you can easily upgrade to the paid version.  If you don’t, no harm no foul.  How can you go wrong?

You can find Grant Tips Lite by going to the iPhone App Store and searching for “Grant Tips Lite.”  It will come up and you can download it for free right away.

And please don’t forget to leave a 5 star rating and review!

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Published by Creative Resources & Research http://grantgoddess.com

New Grant Tips LITE iPhone App!

Our new FREE iPhone App is available! You may have already heard about our Grant Tips iPhone App.  It includes over 100 grant writing tips, a Twitter feed, and inspiration for grant writers.  You can just go to the App Store on your iPhone and search for “Grant Tips.” It only costs 99 cents (not 99 cents a month.  Just 99 cents ….period). The best part is that we keep adding tips, so you buy it once, and it becomes a resource that keeps giving.

Now we have the Grant Tips Lite version, which is 100% FREE. It is just like the full version of the App, except that it only has 50 tips.  If you like it, you can easily upgrade to the paid version.  If you don’t, no harm no foul.  How can you go wrong?

You can find Grant Tips Lite by going to the iPhone App Store and searching for “Grant Tips Lite.”  It will come up and you can download it for free right away.

And please don’t forget to leave a 5 star rating and review!

Z8VRZWDJC6ZF

Time Management Tips for Grant Writers

Effective time management is one of the most valuable skills a grant writer can have. Grant writers live under the constant ticking of the deadline clock, and our progress is often impeded or supported by factors (a.k.a. other people) over whom we have no (or very little) control. Learning to manage time in the grant writing process can make the difference between success or failure of a proposal and, by extension, between success and failure of a grant writing career.

Here are some tips for time management:

  • Develop a time line for the project.  It can be very helpful to take the time to write out a time line for the project, including tentative deadlines for yourself for various stages of the process. The more people there are involved in the process, the more important a time line becomes.
  • Front load the time line. Get as much accomplished as you possibly can during the first week or two of the time line.  That’s the time to gather as much data as possible. Sketch out the big ideas.  Do any research you need to do. Get a solid outline constructed. This pre-writing period is one of the most important, so don’t skimp on it.
  • Make a list of data and information you’ll need from others to complete the project.  Share the list with those who can help you. It doesn’t have to be a complete list, and things will definitely pop up during the process, but remember that others can’t read your mind.  If you need something from them, put it in writing.
  • Get the budget sketched out early and finalize it as soon as possible.  It is much easier and quicker to write a complete draft of the narrative when the budget has been finalized.  It also prevents having to go back into the narrative to adjust activities that you thought you were going to be able to fund, but that you couldn’t fit into the budget.
  • If you get stuck on the narrative, take a break and work on something else.  The budget narrative, forms, or appendices are good choices.
  • Develop a prepared guide for writing good letters of support (including some samples) in advance that you can give to project partners at the beginning of the process. Get people started thinking about letters at the first planning meeting. As soon as your design components are clear to you, put a summary in writing and distribute it to your partners so they can get effective letters of support started. Feel free to refer folks to our blog post on Writing Good Letters of Support or our free webinar on Writing Good Letters of Support for Grants.
  • Assign someone the responsibility of collecting letters of support and signatures. If at all possible, this should not be you.  Not only do you need to focus on writing, but the process of collecting letters is extremely time consuming. If it has to be you, dedicate an hour a day, from day 1, to the task so it doesn’t get put off until the very end.
  • Get the first draft done as soon as possible.  Remember it’s a draft, so it doesn’t have to be complete.  It doesn’t have to have all of the data inserted. The sooner you get the first draft done, the more confident you will feel, and the easier it will be to see what information and data you are really missing, if any.
  • Schedule your time line so you are completely finished with the narrative at least three days before the deadline.  If you end up with less time at the end, your proofreading process will be rushed and the likelihood of errors making it through to the final draft goes up dramatically.
  • Remember that the back end of the process always takes longer than you expect.  I’m talking about proofreading, reviewing the draft to ensure that the narrative matches the letters of support, finalizing the budget and budget narrative (including double- and triple-checking your numbers), and assembling the appendices. Plan for this. Do as much of it in the pre-writing phase as possible.
  • Get plenty of rest and eat right.  While this may not seem like a time management tip, it really is. Research has demonstrated that people are less effective when they are tired. Working late into the evening will not be as productive as the morning hours when you are well rested.  All grant writers have experienced late nights, and sometimes they can’t be avoided, but you should avoid them when you can (unless, of course, you are one of those folks who works best at night). From the 10th hour of work onward, your effectiveness declines rapidly.
  • Once you have developed a process that works well for you, stick to it. I’m not talking about superstition and sticking to a process because you think it makes you lucky, but developing a set of processes and procedures that are smooth and effective.  If you write many grants each year, having a standardized process will allow you to focus less on the process and more on the writing – and that will pay off for you.

Do you have any time management tips that have worked well for you? Please, share them!

—————————————

Would you like even more tips? Become a member! You’ll gain access to a HUGE collection of resources.

Published by Creative Resources & Research http://grantgoddess.com

Time Management Tips for Grant Writers

Effective time management is one of the most valuable skills a grant writer can have. Grant writers live under the constant ticking of the deadline clock, and our progress is often impeded or supported by factors (a.k.a. other people) over whom we have no (or very little) control. Learning to manage time in the grant writing process can make the difference between success or failure of a proposal and, by extension, between success and failure of a grant writing career.

Here are some tips for time management:

  • Develop a time line for the project.  It can be very helpful to take the time to write out a time line for the project, including tentative deadlines for yourself for various stages of the process. The more people there are involved in the process, the more important a time line becomes.
  • Front load the time line. Get as much accomplished as you possibly can during the first week or two of the time line.  That’s the time to gather as much data as possible. Sketch out the big ideas.  Do any research you need to do. Get a solid outline constructed. This pre-writing period is one of the most important, so don’t skimp on it.
  • Make a list of data and information you’ll need from others to complete the project.  Share the list with those who can help you. It doesn’t have to be a complete list, and things will definitely pop up during the process, but remember that others can’t read your mind.  If you need something from them, put it in writing.
  • Get the budget sketched out early and finalize it as soon as possible.  It is much easier and quicker to write a complete draft of the narrative when the budget has been finalized.  It also prevents having to go back into the narrative to adjust activities that you thought you were going to be able to fund, but that you couldn’t fit into the budget.
  • If you get stuck on the narrative, take a break and work on something else.  The budget narrative, forms, or appendices are good choices.
  • Develop a prepared guide for writing good letters of support (including some samples) in advance that you can give to project partners at the beginning of the process. Get people started thinking about letters at the first planning meeting. As soon as your design components are clear to you, put a summary in writing and distribute it to your partners so they can get effective letters of support started. Feel free to refer folks to our blog post on Writing Good Letters of Support or our free webinar on Writing Good Letters of Support for Grants.
  • Assign someone the responsibility of collecting letters of support and signatures. If at all possible, this should not be you.  Not only do you need to focus on writing, but the process of collecting letters is extremely time consuming. If it has to be you, dedicate an hour a day, from day 1, to the task so it doesn’t get put off until the very end.
  • Get the first draft done as soon as possible.  Remember it’s a draft, so it doesn’t have to be complete.  It doesn’t have to have all of the data inserted. The sooner you get the first draft done, the more confident you will feel, and the easier it will be to see what information and data you are really missing, if any.
  • Schedule your time line so you are completely finished with the narrative at least three days before the deadline.  If you end up with less time at the end, your proofreading process will be rushed and the likelihood of errors making it through to the final draft goes up dramatically.
  • Remember that the back end of the process always takes longer than you expect.  I’m talking about proofreading, reviewing the draft to ensure that the narrative matches the letters of support, finalizing the budget and budget narrative (including double- and triple-checking your numbers), and assembling the appendices. Plan for this. Do as much of it in the pre-writing phase as possible.
  • Get plenty of rest and eat right.  While this may not seem like a time management tip, it really is. Research has demonstrated that people are less effective when they are tired. Working late into the evening will not be as productive as the morning hours when you are well rested.  All grant writers have experienced late nights, and sometimes they can’t be avoided, but you should avoid them when you can (unless, of course, you are one of those folks who works best at night). From the 10th hour of work onward, your effectiveness declines rapidly.
  • Once you have developed a process that works well for you, stick to it. I’m not talking about superstition and sticking to a process because you think it makes you lucky, but developing a set of processes and procedures that are smooth and effective.  If you write many grants each year, having a standardized process will allow you to focus less on the process and more on the writing – and that will pay off for you.

Do you have any time management tips that have worked well for you? Please, share them!

—————————————

Would you like even more tips? Become a member! You’ll gain access to a HUGE collection of resources.

Grant Writing is NOT……

I have been reading a lot of grants lately, and working with other grant writers.  I’ve seen good writing and not-so-good writing.  Rather than give you another list of grant writing do’s and don’ts, I thought I share some things that grant writing is not.

Grant writing is not…..a scavenger hunt. The readers should not have to hunt through your narrative to find the key features of your project design. It should be well-organized and clear.

Grant writing is not…..creative writing.  If you have been reading this blog or listening to any of our Tips from the Grant Goddess shows on BlogTalkRadio you know that I often talk about the creative side of grant writing; however, that is different than creative writing. Grant writing is based on providing the information the funder wants. Don’t make the mistake of saying whatever you want to say, regardless of what has been asked.

Grant writing is not…..the same for all funding sources.  I run into people all the time who say, “Yeah, I’m a grant writer, too.”  Upon further conversation, I learn that he has written a few small foundation grants, sometimes successfully.  Recently, a potential client chose to go with another writer who had lots of experience with small private grants, but almost no experience with large federal proposals, and absolutely no experience with the particular program in question. As the deadline approached, the client learned the hard way that there are different kinds of grant writing.

Grant writing is not…..all about you. The writer should be invisible so the message can take center stage. This is not the time to impress the reader with your education or your ability to spin a fancy yarn. Remember this…if the reader is thinking about how good your writing is (or isn’t), he’s not focused on your message, and that’s not good.

———————————–

Related posts and articles:

Working with a Grant Writer: You Get What You Pay For
Do I Really Need a Grant Writer?
Is Grant Writing Success Really Just About Luck?

Published by Creative Resources & Research http://grantgoddess.com

Grant Writing is NOT……

I have been reading a lot of grants lately, and working with other grant writers.  I’ve seen good writing and not-so-good writing.  Rather than give you another list of grant writing do’s and don’ts, I thought I share some things that grant writing is not.

Grant writing is not…..a scavenger hunt. The readers should not have to hunt through your narrative to find the key features of your project design. It should be well-organized and clear.

Grant writing is not…..creative writing.  If you have been reading this blog or listening to any of our Tips from the Grant Goddess shows on BlogTalkRadio you know that I often talk about the creative side of grant writing; however, that is different than creative writing. Grant writing is based on providing the information the funder wants. Don’t make the mistake of saying whatever you want to say, regardless of what has been asked.

Grant writing is not…..the same for all funding sources.  I run into people all the time who say, “Yeah, I’m a grant writer, too.”  Upon further conversation, I learn that he has written a few small foundation grants, sometimes successfully.  Recently, a potential client chose to go with another writer who had lots of experience with small private grants, but almost no experience with large federal proposals, and absolutely no experience with the particular program in question. As the deadline approached, the client learned the hard way that there are different kinds of grant writing.

Grant writing is not…..all about you. The writer should be invisible so the message can take center stage. This is not the time to impress the reader with your education or your ability to spin a fancy yarn. Remember this…if the reader is thinking about how good your writing is (or isn’t), he’s not focused on your message, and that’s not good.

———————————–

Related posts and articles:

Working with a Grant Writer: You Get What You Pay For
Do I Really Need a Grant Writer?
Is Grant Writing Success Really Just About Luck?