Telling a compelling story in your grant application

BY SIERRA SKYE GEMMA

If there is one thing that can be found in nearly all forms of creative writing, from poetry to nonfiction, it is a compelling story. But faced with pages of instructions, many literary writers forget the importance of story as they begin their grant applications.

Grant applications should provide an engaging story that immediately grips the jury and helps the applicant stand out. If you can’t tell a compelling story about why you should receive funding, why should a juror trust that you can tell a compelling story at all? And if you can’t tell a compelling story, what makes you deserving of funding? By leaving a lasting impression on those judging your work, you will motivate jurors to advocate on behalf of your application.

Deciding on a project

Before you start filling out a grant application, you need an idea for a project. Grant juries are looking for a unique story that hasn’t been told before. Or a story that has been told before, but not from your unusual perspective. Or a story that has been told before, but never in this way or format or style.

When considering project ideas, ask yourself:

• How is my story different from all the other applications the jury will be reading?

• Is it possible this topic will be oversaturated this year? What am I doing that is new?

• Am I writing someone else’s story? Does any aspect of my story infringe upon the cultural and/or intellectual property of another person or group?

The project description

All grant applications will ask you to describe your project. Think of this as your opportunity to tell the story of how your project idea came to be. Weave the details of your project—what you’ll do, when you’ll do it, and how you’ll do it—into a story that has some excitement or suspense or heartbreak or human connection.

Your application sets the tone for the type of work you wish to accomplish with the funding you seek. So, if your project is a dark comedy, include humour in your application. If your project is a mystery novel, bring some suspense to the story you tell in your application.

Artistic development

Most grant applications will also ask you how the project will contribute to your development as a writer. You are the Hero here. Your juror readers want to know what trials you, the Hero, had to overcome to get to this point in your journey and what challenges you’ll experience during your project.

Every writer is facing a unique set of barriers to producing and publishing their work. What are your struggles? What are your solutions? Share them honestly, while keeping in mind that the central story of this section of the application is why you should be awarded this money.

A unique project idea and a compelling story about how the project came to be and how you—and only you—can bring this project to vibrant life will present the granting jury with an application that is hard to forget and, more importantly, hard to reject.

Sierra Skye Gemma is a writer and journalist who has received numerous grants to support her creative work. Additionally, Sierra has years of experience as a successful grant writer for literary and educational nonprofit organizations. You can find her online at sierraskyegemma.com and @sierraskyegemma