An introduction to writing grants. It provides the foundation for the process as well as some tips.

1. Writing a Grant Proposal
that Will Get Funded!
Leigh Zeitz

2. Writing a
Successful Proposal
♦ Start with a good
idea
♦ Locate a source
funding similar
ideas
♦ Design, craft and
develop your idea
into a well-written
statement.

3. Begin with the 3 Ps
♦P roject
♦P ermission
♦P lan

4. Start with a Good Idea
♦ Consider your
proposal to be
lemonade.
– You idea is the
powder
– The foundations’
support is the water
♦ Your proposal must
be a solution,
not a plea.

5. Use your Problem
as Your Guide
♦ Identify a problem
that is manageable
and solvable.
♦ Don’t try to
eliminate illiteracy
in the U.S.
♦ Pilot test a project
in your district.

6. Process
♦ Identify the problem with specific
indicators.
– The ITBS indicates that 50% of our 4th
graders read below grade level.
♦ Identify the possible cause of the
problem.
– 4th graders spend enough time
reading at home.

7. Process
♦ Identify your potential solution.
– Create a “Read-At-Home” program
– Provide reading level appropriate
books as rewards for reading.
– Need funding for purchasing the books
for rewards.

8. Locate a Funder
with Similar Ideas
♦ Find funders who share
your ideas.
♦ They have already
funded similar projects.
♦ They have already
funded your type of
organization.
♦ They share your vision.

9. How Do You Know Who?
♦ Search the Web
♦ Identify
Resources
– Look at our
Course Resources
♦ Read their RFPs
– Request For
Proposal

10. Design, Craft and Develop
♦ Be methodical
♦ Address the needs and provide
solutions
♦ Write well
♦ Address your audience
♦ Plan your time

11. The Tone of Your
Proposal
♦ To persuade effectively, your
argument must appeal to your
audience’s beliefs and interests.
♦ The proposal is not the means to
change their beliefs.
♦ You will not be successful unless
you match your project to their
interests.

12. Know your audience!
♦ What kind of organization are
you submitting to?
♦ What are their funding interests?
♦ What have they funded in the
past?
♦ Who will be reading your
proposal?
♦ Who will be making the
funding decision?

13. Watch your language!
♦ Jargon –
– usually bad, but
sometimes
necessary.
♦ Complaints
♦ Dull prose
♦ Who will benefit
from this project?

14. Most Importantly . . .
Believe in what
you are
proposing!!

15. What
proposal
ideas do
you have?

16. Any Questions?