Grant Writing Workshop

Writing Winning

Grant Proposals

Carolyn M. Appleton

“It is not enough to have a good mind. The main thing is to use it well.”

- Rene Descartes (1596-1650)

“If we knew what we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?”

- Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

• If you “cut and paste,” be sure to remove the name of the other funder you were approaching, in the new text.

• Follow guidelines (and forms) provided by funders to the letter. Not to do so suggests arrogance and laziness.

• Patience is a virtue. It takes time to review grant proposals.

• You’ve undoubtedly got competition.

• Give yourself some “breathing room” before re-contacting the funder for an update on the status of your request.

• Keep communicating about your good work (social media, mailed pieces, word-of-mouth, etc.).

• Once you receive a grant, thank you letters on letterhead (it’s the law), and personal, hand-written thank you notes are important.

• If it is not anonymous, share the good news with the public (but discuss this with the donor in advance).

Received a grant?

• Keep contributors informed about the project as it unfolds. Provide information without asking for money.

• If you helped secure the grant but depart the organization, make sure someone else follows through.

• Regular communication binds funders more closely to you, and can lead to additional grants.