For First-Time Grantwriters

As stated in our guidelines, the Mid-States Shared Gifting Group (MSSG) welcomes grant proposals from new initiatives. We would like to provide additional information to first-time grant writers to help in understanding what kind of preliminary work must be done before we are able to consider a proposal.

All projects that seek funding begin as an idea. Someone perceived what he or she thought was a need: a question to be answered; research to be conducted; or, a service to be rendered. From the original idea, inquiries are made to see if others agree that the idea has merit. If agreement is found, the preliminary research is done to find out if the idea has support broad enough to warrant further study. If this higher level of support is found, the originator(s) then seek(s) a way to actualize the idea by seeking funding.

Here is where granting organizations enter the picture. The originator presents the granting organization with all of the information that has been collected to support the idea and presents it in a funding proposal. The granting organization reviews the proposal and decides (1) if it merits funding in its opinion (2) if yes, how much money it is able to grant. If a grant is made, a relationship is established between grantor and grantee. The grantor will want to follow the progress of grantee and evaluate the outcome of the project at the end of the granting period.

MSSG expects the following to be included in a grant proposal (in addition to the requirements stated in the Guidelines):

1. The idea of the grant is clearly stated. Although this might appear to be obvious, it is the most frequent deficiency of proposals.

2. Demonstration that the idea has support from others who are qualified to render an opinion. Often the originator of the idea has found people who are willing to collaborate on developing the idea.

3. Basic research is provided to demonstrate that the idea has broad support . If the idea is for a service, for example, support can be in the form of a random sampling of the target audience. If the idea is for a research project, support can be in the form of a literature survey. In general, we need to know that the idea has support, and if actualized, will have a reasonable possibility of contributing to the purposes stated in the Guidelines.

4. A detailed plan for developing and completing the work to be done is provided . This includes steps to be taken, tasks involved, and the projected costs of each function.

Much information on grant proposal writing is available in libraries and on the internet. Try this one: www.learnerassociates.net/proposal/. It walks you step by step through the process.