The federal grant season is here, and many grant writers and nonprofit leaders find the prospect of writing federal grants intimidating. Some believe that federal grants are complex and challenging to navigate. However, once you grasp the process, it becomes much more manageable.
At Think and Ink Grant Consulting, we’ve developed a proven approach to winning federal grants across various agencies. Our deliberate internal processes are what I consider the "secret sauce" behind our success and that of our clients.
While I can’t walk you through our entire methodology, I’d like to share some key strategies that can help your organization secure federal grants. Here are five essential tips:
1. Be Explicit: Don’t assume the reader understands your context. To win federal grants, you must be clear, intentional, and thorough in addressing every part of the rubric.
2. Consider the Reviewer's Perspective: Remember, reviewers are often fatigued and have many applications to evaluate in a short time. Use charts, highlighting, and italics to break up text and keep their attention. Make it easy for them by clearly indicating where each rubric response is in your application. Don’t bury crucial information in attachments.
3. Maximize Points: Address every part of the rubric comprehensively. Don’t miss opportunities to earn the maximum points in each section. Losing out on funding due to a single point is incredibly frustrating.
4. Adhere to Instructions: Failing to follow directions can result in your entire application being disqualified. Avoid this by carefully following all guidelines.
5. Use the Rule of Three: Structure your communication by telling the reviewer what you’re about to say, then saying it, and finally summarizing what you just said. This approach helps ensure the information is retained.
This list offers just a glimpse of the strategies we employ. I’d love to discuss how our firm can assist your organization in winning federal grants through our refined internal process.
What successful tips have you discovered when writing federal grants?
-Shavonn
About Shavonn Richardson, MBA, GPC
Shavonn is the Founder and CEO of Think and Ink Grant Consulting. As a former nonprofit leader and grantmaker, Shavonn has over 20 years of experience delivering practical, real-world advice to nonprofit leaders nationwide. Shavonn also serves as President of the Grant Professionals Association.
Shavonn earned the GPC (Grant Professional Certified) credential from the Grant Professionals Certification Institute in 2020 and is a Grant Professionals Association Approved Trainer. Shavonn earned a BBA from Howard University in Washington, DC, and an MBA from Emory University in Atlanta, GA.
Learn more at www.thinkandinkgrants.com
Comments