Category Archives: Nonprofits

Ask Dalya: Q & A about grantwriting

You’ve got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are just a few:

Q: If you’re applying to a foundation that supports operating costs as well as programs, should you build a relationship first by going for a program-related grant, and then follow up the next year with an operating cost grant, or can you go right for the operating costs? Which is more likely to get funded, in your opinion?

A: Most funders will want to start out with a program grant to test you out. But I would recommend contacting them, explaining that you are interested in both, and getting their suggestion. Each funder is very different, as I am sure you know.

Q: If a foundation has a grant range of $5K-$25K and an average grant size of $15K, what’s the best number to pick for your first grant request to them?

A: This is another great question to ask when you speak with the funder. Generally, a first grant is going to be on the lower end. With no other info, I would probably ask for $15K. A first grant will probably be less than the funder’s average grant size, but it is always good to ask for a bit more than you expect. Just make sure you ask for only a fraction of the total project budget.

Q: If you are pursuing other funding for a project but have not been approved for it yet, do you include that in a new proposal?

A: In the Request for Proposal or Grant Guidelines, you will often be asked about other pending funding and/or your financial sustainability strategy. These are great opportunities to talk about other grants you are pursuing.

Good news! These questions are exactly the kind we answer in the Grantwriter’s FastTrack Coaching Program. You will also get to practice a grantmaker-grantseeker conversation where you can ask these questions (and many more I suggest) during a role play, in preparation for the real thing.

Watch the free webinar: Grant Proposal Feedback Clinic

Could you use some targeted feedback on your Letter of Intent or brief grant proposal? Have you participated in trainings but find you need some individual feedback to fine-tune your draft (one you’re currently working on or one you recently submitted)?

While your colleagues may be helpful (or maybe just too busy), an outside perspective is often exactly what you need to view your work as a funder might.

That was the idea behind the Feedback Clinic, a safe online space where 2 people shared drafts with their peers and the instructor (a seasoned grant writer with more than 15 years of experience). Others listened in and learned from the two reviewed drafts’ successes and challenges, and practiced providing analytical feedback.

Here’s what folks had to say about the feedback clinic:

“This was really helpful. I really liked that we got to see what other people had written. It’s helpful to get to read and give feedback on others’ writing – and Dalya’s feedback was wonderful.”

“I was delighted to get a better sense of how to hit an LOI out of the park. I soaked everything up.”

“I thought this was incredibly helpful. This format of seeing other people’s grants in areas that were different from my own and seeing the feedback was just absolutely tremendous.”

“Often, I find myself wanting to dig my eyeballs out with a grapefruit spoon with webinars. This one, however, held my attention throughout and flew by.”

To watch the free webinar just go HERE!

The feedback clinic webinar provides just a taste of what you will experience in the full Grantwriter’s FastTrack Coaching Program. From October 13 – November 20, a small group of up to 6 grantwriters will get in-depth training and individualized feedback to help polish at least 1 proposal in real time. Space is extremely limited. Learn more and grab your spot now HERE. The Early Bird Discount is good through Friday, September 26.

Spot the Weaknesses in this Case Statement (Or Spot the Strengths!)

I thought I would share a brief piece I wrote that exaggerates several of the most common mistakes grantwriters make. This mini-case statement is riddled with over-the-top phrases and statements (in bold) that I hope point out some obvious problems. See what you think and feel free to leave a comment!

Here goes…

Our organization started five years ago because we wanted to improve the dismal quality of life and alleviate economic inequality for other women in our community. These problems do not actually affect our lives, but we wanted to appear charitable.

We propose the “Get A Life Project,” which will have a tiny effect on housing conditions for low-income women and will probably do nothing to change their economic status. We don’t have an innovative bone in our bodies, so we’re just doing the same old project that we’ve always done. Actually, there’s no urgency to the project, and it’s not part of any larger plan. In fact, we think there are already several more proficient organizations doing this work in our town.

We think that our Get A Life Project will provide much-needed assistance, but we’re not so sure about the exact outcome. Although no low-income women have asked us to help them, or have joined our organization, we think the project is a great idea. It’s not clear how we will do this work, but we are sure that we’ll come up with something. We will have to figure out how to serve people in unfamiliar languages, but we don’t think you want to know any details of how we actually will implement the project, and we definitely will not be evaluating it.

Our project does not address any of your Foundation’s priority areas, but we believe you will make an exception for us because of our good intentions. We will have to indefinitely rely on your foundation to sustain our work. We’re pretty desperate so if you don’t fund us we will have to close our doors.