Eight Tidbits for Grant & Sponsorship Writers
Trying to increase your chances of getting funds for your next project? Use these tips to evaluate your project and consider ways to make it stronger.
Remember funders are looking to fund solid projects, projects that are unique, innovative, and that affect a certain demographic of the community. Here are things to remember as you map and plan your next project:
1. The more, the merrier. Think cross and interdisciplinary, even intergenerational. Funders look to fund project that have wide reach and optimal community impact.
2. Plan for the big stuff now. Don’t be modest and forget to include keynotes, major events, author/illustrator costs, contingency funds for outside events that may be postponed because of bad weather or cancellations.
3. Be vulnerable. Admit any assumptions, shortsightedness, or inadequacies you might have and the steps you will take to overcome them.
4. Crosspollinate. Your community is your ecosystem. Think of forming partnerships with those who have similar missions to your organization. Even those with opposing missions could offer benefit to your project. Think of ways to find alignment. Include those partnerships and potential partnerships in your inquiry and ways they would increase the impact of your project’s goals.
5. Specificity is key. Cut the fluff. The more prepared you are, the more knowledgeable you seem, and the more people are willing to trust you with their monies. A well-laid plan is always impressive. Leave little room for questions.
6. Maximize your reach. Diversity is not limited to race and culture. Diversity comes in many forms—socioeconomic status, identity, the ways you present information, the personality type, community types, and subsets you appeal to.
7. Flash forward. Create an abstract or infographic for your final product to allow people to understand your project in 90 seconds or less. Make it bold and engaging, highlighting your key points. Carry it around like business cards for networking and partnership opportunities.
8. Remember not all asks are big asks. Some partners will deliver in funds, some in resources and connections. Embrace both. Both are valuable.
