Grant writing Archives - Silvica: Blog for Sustainable Development http://silvica.site/category/grant-writing/ Greening our world through content Fri, 08 May 2020 03:31:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7 https://i0.wp.com/silvica.site/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/cropped-silvica_image.jpg?fit=32%2C32 Grant writing Archives - Silvica: Blog for Sustainable Development http://silvica.site/category/grant-writing/ 32 32 162136420 Ten pertinent components of any grant proposal http://silvica.site/ten-pertinent-components-of-any-grant-proposal/ Mon, 22 Jul 2019 04:37:21 +0000 http://silvica.site/?p=432 By David OkulJuly 22, 2019 Grants may be different, but some components are almost always there in any application Grants could come from the government, foundation, or corporation. Almost all sponsors have specific guidelines on how they would want you to submit the proposal. However, most of the time, grants require similar information. Sections of […]

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By David Okul
July 22, 2019

Grants may be different, but some components are almost always there in any application

Grants could come from the government, foundation, or corporation. Almost all sponsors have specific guidelines on how they would want you to submit the proposal. However, most of the time, grants require similar information. Sections of grant proposals that you are most likely to encounter in any grant proposal are listed below.

1. Cover letter

Often, it is recommended that you will write a cover letter first. However, any grant writer understands the value of the cover letter. It will provide the first impression that the sponsor will have of you. So, invest in ensuring that the cover letter brings out the best of you and your project. Made the reader identify with your mission and summarize your program in the section.

2. Executive summary

Like the cover letter, the executive summary is among the last sections that you will draft as a grant writer. The summary needs to be brief and complete. It is here where the writer needs to demonstrate good penmanship that would entice the reader to continue reading the proposal.

3. Need Statement

Now, this is the meat of the proposal. As a writer, you will need to convince the funder that the proposal is pertinent and your organization is in the best position to partake the activity. The needs statement includes a factual, well-documented description of the problem the proposal intends to address. Often grant writers fall into the curse of knowledge when drafting the needs statement. Grant writers have years of experience in the industry that they can simply summarize a concrete of data in their heads. Consequently, they end up writing vague descriptions of the needs statement with the assumption that the reader has some understanding of the problem. Grant writers need to ensure that the need statement makes sense to a person who lacks a background in the industry.

Problem statement is a vital component of any grant
Problem statement needs to be as clear as possible. It lays the rationale for your proposal (Image source: Clipart Pandahttp://www.clipartpanda.com/clipart_images/problem-statement-clipart-57797925)

4. Goals and Objectives

The section includes what your organization intends to do to address the problem(s) outlined in the need statement. Craft a persuasive overall goal alongside specific objectives that would often inspire work packages. Goals represent the general outcomes while objectives encompass particular steps to achieve the outcome. Writers should ensure that the objectives are SMART  (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound). 

5. The methodology

The section requires the writer to outline how they are going to implement the outlined goals and objectives. In a majority of cases, the sponsors would provide a logical framework for implementing the project. The methodology sections need specifics on what will be done and when they will be delivered.

6. Evaluation section

The primary concern for sponsors is that their money has an impact. As such, grant writers should dedicate a section that outlines how they are going to assess the program accomplishments. It includes a description of measurable project outcomes. The section should also include the records that will be kept and the data required. It is also vital to include the cost of evaluation as most projects favor hiring external evaluators.

7. Sustainability of the initiative

Ideally, sponsors would love to know that a project would outlast its funding cycle. Nevertheless, some project activities may be impossible to achieve without grant monies. Additionally, this section may also require the grantees to disclose their contribution to the project, or if the project would ask for other sources.

8. Information about the organization

It is vital for the grantee to present the details of the organization to the funders. The description should include statements of why the funders should trust your organization with their monies. Write a history of the organization and the impacts of the projects it has undertaken. Never forget to state your mission and track record in managing grants. At times, grant writers take for granted this section when they had applied for funds from the sponsor before. Other writers simply add a link to their ‘About’ sections of their website in this section. Never add links unless you are asked to do so. Writers should assume that the reader of the proposal knows nothing about the organization 

Checklist is a simple, yet effective tool of ensuring that you don't miss anything on your proposal (Image Source: Image by TeroVesalainen from Pixabay)

9. Project Budget

Write a short budget of the expected project costs delineating the expenses and the income. Expenses often include personnel costs, direct cost, and administrative cost. The budget is among the most important part of the proposal. Ensure that you do adequate research on the budget lines to get costs at the present market rates. Overpriced or underpriced budgets are a turn off for prospective funders.

10. Additional materials

Often, a proposal application requires other additional materials such as:

  • Proof that your organization is duly registered
  • A letter/document showing the organization’s tax obligations
  • List of the board of directors and their affiliations
  • The budget for the previous, current, or the next year.

Last-minute and poorly thought proposals rarely succeed. A proposal needs to be based on a well-thought and researched document. Obviously, ensure that the proposal is neatly typed and is free of errors. Ensuring that many people in the organization read the proposal is one way of minimizing the errors in the proposal. While this article presents 10 components that are common in proposals, it should be noted that funders often have different requirements. And, the components may be under different titles.

Links to References and Resources

The Balance. https://www.thebalancesmb.com/how-to-write-a-grant-proposal-2501980

 

The Grantsmanship Center. https://www.tgci.com/how-write-winning-nonprofit-grant-proposal

David Okul is a freelance writer, and a PhD student at a Kenyan university

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]]> 432 11 Grant Writing Myths http://silvica.site/11-grant-writing-myths/ Sun, 14 Jul 2019 20:26:30 +0000 http://silvica.site/?p=397 By David Okul July 14, 2019 Avoid the myths in grant writing to increase your success rates Every organization understands that writing grants is such a tall order. I have encountered organizations that have written grants in their dozens to no success, while some have quite impeccable success rates. Perhaps, debunking some of the myths […]

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By David Okul
July 14, 2019

Avoid the myths in grant writing to increase your success rates

Every organization understands that writing grants is such a tall order. I have encountered organizations that have written grants in their dozens to no success, while some have quite impeccable success rates. Perhaps, debunking some of the myths in grant writing could increase your chances of attaining success.

Silvica has compiled 11 myths on grant writing that we think are pertinent. Read and review:

1. Grants are instant solutions to an organization’s monetary problems

I have been consulted by organizations that view grant money as an instant solution to their financial woes. Grant money is not a solution for money problems for two major reasons. First, the reality is that the rejection of grants is common. Often, first-time grants are often unfunded. Grant writing is akin to job searching. We rarely get jobs on our first applications. Instead, we keep sending resumes, upgrading skills, network and hanging in there until we get something. It is the same with grant writing; organizations need not take rejection hard. Instead, they should work at ensuring that they learn from each application and improve in the next application.

2. Grant Money is free money

On the contrary, it is not. Grant money often has a strict budget and reporting mechanisms. Additionally, as already mentioned, it requires commitment and dedication to complete a grant application. Therefore grant money should not be treated as free money. Apply for a grant if you think your organization can solve a specific problem outlined by the sponsor.

3. We don’t know anyone at the foundations/ sponsors so there is no need to write grants

Honestly, the statement is half true. Knowing people at the foundations could help but it is not required. What is more important is for organizations to identify the relevant sponsors and follow their application guidelines to the letter. You can also request the grant agency for a copy of the rating form it uses.

Apply for a grant in tourism, environment conservation, or community development with us
Persuasive grant writing services for small organizations lacking time and/or capacity

4. Big organizations get all the money

As related to the previous point, big organizations often have all the experience in grant writing. Some also have a specific department or budgets for consultancies in grant writing. As such, it is common to see big and established organizations getting all the cash. They have mastered the art of grant writing and managing donor monies. But if your organization is inexperienced in grant writing, worry not. Funders always look out for new and innovative ideas to fund. It is up to you to develop creative and persuasive proposals.

5. Writing grants is too complicated

Honesty, it is not. But writing grants is definitely a tedious process. You need to read and understand all the guidelines. Most foundations have reported that a good number of grants received fail to follow basic instructions. As such, if you follow all the instructions, your application is likely to get a listening ear. Moreover, take time to read sample proposals that are often available on the foundations’ or the beneficiaries’ websites. It is a good practice to use statistics in your application. More importantly, it is good to back your application with a story about the people or animals the grant intends to help.

6. You need experienced and accomplished grant writers to receive large grants

Certainly, experienced and professional grant writers help. But, hiring a professional does not guarantee success. In fact, a consultant that promises a successful application is certainly a fraud. The success of funding is dependent on the choice of grant and the passion for the project. As organizations, always seek to apply for grants that share in your ethos and are compatible with your day to day activities.

7. We do not have grant writers and hiring one may be too expensive

Without a doubt, grant writing requires professional as grants are super competitive. Even with limited resources, organizations can choose to train an individual to write grants. But, organizations should ensure that the person chosen has adequate time to learn and apply for grants. Often, organizations would assign an individual the task of grant-writing without balancing their other roles in the organization. Alternatively, it is a myth that freelance grant writers are expensive. For instance, Silvica offers grant writing services in environmental/social projects in East Africa and beyond at flexible rates.

8. One size proposals will fit all

Many organizations make the mistake of sending one grant to various sponsors. A very wrong strategy! Every sponsor is different and the application should reflect the ethos of the funder. It is okay to recycle certain phrases and passages, but ensure that each application is unique and tailored to the specifics of the sponsor. We are reiterating this, ‘ensure that your grants follow the sponsors’ guidelines to the letter’ 

Last minute rush and grant writing is a bad idea
Don't kid yourself. Grants are often competitive and last-minute submissions are likely to fail

9. You can write applications a Night before the deadline

Again, this is a common mistake most organizations make. They often assign a team member (or members) to make an application without carefully relieving the team members of their other duties. Consequently, the team develops a grant proposal hurriedly with a plethora of mistakes. If the organization lacks systems for grant writing, it is a good idea to invest in grant writing consultants. Additionally, grants should be reviewed by other members in the organization before submission. This review not only reduce errors, but ensures the grant is within the organization’s objective 

10. Small grants are easier to get than large grants

Although it is a good idea to start applying to smaller grants, it does not mean that getting larger grants is harder. What is important in grant writing is for organizations to select sponsors who share their interests. Additionally, writers should be creative and convincing enough to the funder.

11. Writing grants is a waste of time as there is no money available

Money is tighter these days as more organizations emerge but there are still billions up for grabs for organizations. Additionally, sponsors are eager to give away money too. Thus, the onus is for organizations to write water-tight proposals that are persuasive enough to the sponsors.

Without a doubt, grants have been instrumental for a wide array of social, health and environmental projects. Most organization desire grants to assist them in implanting their programs. However, only a handful of organizations are successful in obtaining assistance from sponsors. The understanding of the grant myths could assist organizations to be well prepared in writing grants. Chances of success in grant writing dramatically increase when the application follows the sponsors’ instructions and presents an innovative proposal.

Links to References and Resources

Further Reading

Great Writings

The Chronicles

The Balance

More Articles on Silvica

Ten pertinent components of any grant proposal

Establishing winning project teams

The Project Management definition, history, life cycle, and stakeholders roles

David Okul is an environmental management professional with over 10 years experience on donor projects, conservation, forestry, ecotourism, and community-based natural resources management. When not working on active environmental management projects, I spend my time writing for Silvica on a variety of topics. 

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