How Grant Writing Lessons Can Improve Access To Funding

By Joanna Walsh


As people like to say, money doesn't grow on trees. This is a common statement in everyday society. However, many necessary or advantageous activities in society require sponsorship, and sometimes the amounts involved are relatively large. There are people and institutions in the community who are willing to sponsor the latter, but they need to be sure that the money is going to be spent wisely. Submitting requests for funding can be made more successful through grant writing lessons.

To begin with, asking other people for money is not easy for everyone. Many people are not comfortable with the process, either because, on principle, they are averse to approaching others for money, or because they do not want to betray the fact that their organization is struggling financially. The first objection is easier to resolve, but portraying an institution as financially sound seems to negate the possibility of asking others for assistance.

Another issue is related to how persuasive the request itself is. The request is typically seen as serious because it involves money. It isn't easy to secure the approval of the benefactor. The criteria for approval may be extremely harsh, or the benefactor may start to ask for very confidential data, or other awkward questions. Even perfectly legitimate requests may be declined as being of no use to society.

Those trying to request funding therefore should have the requisite experience and conscientious approach. A poorly composed request, or one which does not adhere to the traditional methods of submission, may fail on those grounds, regardless of its content. Provided here are some simple tips on how to submit more effective requests.

Importantly, the integrity of the material should not be compromised. All facts, figures and statements should be 100% accurate. Asking for money on the basis of incorrect or distorted information is not only unethical but actually amounts to a crime and may lead to criminal sanction. It is not acceptable to try to re-work or interpret data to suit the request, or to insert inaccurate material.

Another point is that the style of the request should be acceptable, too. A document which demands the money outright, or which tries to oblige the recipient into providing the funds, is not going to be taken seriously. Some institutions receive many requests for money, on a regular basis. The writing style therefore needs to be as courteous and as simple as possible, merely asking, not demanding.

Speaking of style, the language used should be free of any errors whatsoever, and the formatting of the documentation should be pristine. A request for money that is badly produced is going to create a negative impression or may even be investigated for fraud, as a poorly formulated application is sometimes an indication of incompetent criminal authorship. The reader may consider whether they themselves would be interested in such a request for their own money.

Not everyone is comfortable with composing serious correspondence, or handling paperwork. However, grant writing lessons can assist those who regularly need to ask for funds from others.




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