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Writing the Proposal, The Hourglass Method May 13, 2021 You’ve submitted a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) and been invited to follow up with a full proposal. Now it’s time to actually write the thing. Here’s a system for making sure that your proposal is inclusive, accurate and compelling. It takes a little time but it’s worth it. Start with a call for input from all the key people who should have something to say about your program. That means staff members who will do the work; clients who will benefit from the work; perhaps a board member who is knowledgeable about the particular subject;...

We must find solutions Mother’s Day was marred by heartbreaking violence. We know the gunman arrived at a birthday party, shot six people (including his girlfriend) then killed himself. Children lost parents, an extended family is crushed, a whole neighborhood as well as first responders are shaken. Research from Everytown for Gun Safety shows each month, 57 women in America are fatally shot by intimate partners, and most mass shootings are related to domestic violence. The deadly intersection of guns and domestic violence disproportionately kills Black and brown women. Domestic violence im...

Grants: Wait. What Is That Word? May 11, 2021 It’s tempting to slip into “specialized terminology” when we’re writing to potential funders from deep inside your own work. Grant writers who forget fluid communication is key to success can develop a nasty case of jargonitis. Your proposals and your organization are better served when you force yourself to be clear and precise. Find more inclusive ways to communicate by avoiding the often mystifying language of jargon. Here’s some common, low-hanging fruit as examples: Very few nonprofits actually have workers who put “boots on the g...

When Less Might Be More May 10, 2021 Great writers agree. It’s harder to write short than write long. Mark Twain said: “A two-hour presentation, I am ready today. . . A five-minute speech will take two weeks to prepare.” Thoreau said: “Not that the story needs be long, but it will take a long while to make it short.”  Just because a foundation requires you “write a proposal” doesn’t mean you have to stuff the document with everything. Consider that reviewers might have hundreds of proposals to read and evaluate — sometimes that many in a few weeks. What are some ways to eco...

Having A Conversation Before Application Submission May 4, 2021 You’ve identified a foundation that seems like an appropriate prospect for your proposal. Your organization’s work aligns with the funder’s mission. You’re in an eligible location; the program you want to get funded is the right scope for the grants they seem to give. All you have to do is write the proposal and send it off, right? You might be skipping an important first step. It’s worth the time and effort to try for a preliminary discussion with a foundation’s program officer before you submit your request. “Ther...