I am two books into a series that I can’t stop reading. I love a good book. I love how an author can make me feel like I am a part of a story. I love that I am sad when I finish a good book because I have become a part of the story.
Storytelling is a vital role of writing grants. It is our job to take the reviewer on a journey with your organization. We must tell them where we have been, where we are going, and how we are getting there. We get to give them the compelling metrics that show the success of our programs and how we hope to grow the impact we have in comparison to what the needs of our community are. We get to weave our passion for our organization into the story.
When a reviewer finishes reading your grant application, they should be able to tell a friend about what you do. They should know your story. Yes, getting a grant awarded is the goal, but if you can create an advocate for your organization because of the story you were able to tell, you have written a successful grant.
Related Articles
Things to Keep in Mind when Seeking Funding for Partnered Projects
Many projects are collaborations across sectors and involve governmental entities, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations and even the private sector. However, only some of these entities are eligible for the grant funding needed to support collaborative...
Measurable Outcomes Matter
When it comes to writing grant proposals, it's easy to fall into the trap of describing activities—what you’re planning to do, how you’ll do it, and when. However, funders are more interested in the change your project will bring about. They want to see results. This...
Checklist: Should we apply for this grant?
Once you get the grant search ball rolling, the question becomes, should we apply for this grant? Grant writing is a time-consuming, labor-intensive process, and grant seekers realize in short order that not every grant is worth the effort of application. When you...