Grant Writing Blog

One of the greatest discoveries that I've made in life is realizing that I didn't have to let things happen to me but that I was able to take matters into my OWN hands!

WOW!

Yes, I discovered that life would GO IN THE DIRECTION that I chose for it to go IF I did ONE THING… yes, one thing.

I'll tell you more about that one thing in just a second, but for now let me tell you about a young lady name, Laura Stevens (name has been changed to protect her identity).

Laura recently approached me because she wanted to take matters into her own hands. She was sick and tired of working a job that was going nowhere and she felt like she was just existing.

• She was doing a lot of what she really didn't want to do it all.
• She wanted to be a grant writer… BUT there was one BIG PROBLEM.
• She did not know how to write a grant.

Laura asked me for help.

Normally my busy schedule does not afford me the time nor the opportunity to talk to every individual one-on-one much about ways to...

Okay, I know what I'm about to say may be highly controversial… so BRACE yourself! I want to share with you what I really think about most Grant Writing Certifications.

Truthfully, I think most of them are a waste.

You heard me right… I said, “A WASTE!”

Now, I know what I just said is not going to get me nominated for any grant writing awards now or in the near future.

But, those aren’t important to me… besides, most of those are bias and are NOT given to those that are most deserving, rather those that are most self-serving for the organizations handing out the awards.

I often chuckle when I see awards being passed out to corporate sponsors... I guess the saying is true that you have to pay to play.

So Why Do I Think That Most Grant Writing Certifications Are A Waste?

Well, there are a number of reasons. But, I’ll spare you of my full list because the partial list suffices.

However, before I tell you why I think most of today's grant...

Karen was SMART yet Unemployed.

And for someone who had always tried to plan her life out to the smallest details... this was the worst.

She wondered, "How could I spend so much on graduate school acquiring ALL of these special degrees and credentials and now find myself standing in the unemployment line?" This question and the emotions that came with it were making her sicker by the minute. 

To make matters worse she had recently had dinner with one of her longtime girlfriends and learn that her son had just finished trade school and was getting ready to make twice what she had struggled to make on her last job.

With her bills stacking up faster and faster by the minute Karen needed to make a move.

But what?

She was too embarrassed to ask any of her employed friends if they knew of any job openings. Her pride kept her from going to the last job fair especially since her former employer had a table at the event. Going back to school at this stage only to get another...

She had no idea how she was going to start and grow her business and was mentally afraid to take the first step until... until... until she heard "four magical words" that helped to unlock her true potential… but more on this later.

On Monday, I visited one of my favorite places in California… the Huntington Library and Gardens.

I love going there because it is so beautiful and peaceful. This time I spoke with a tour guide name Bill to learn a little more about the Chinese Garden.

Bill, a peppered haired, wise man in his late 60s began to explain to me the difference between the Japanese and Chinese Garden. I must admit, both are quite serene and lovely.

He said that the Japanese Garden was designed to be “looked at” and “admired”…almost like viewing a beautiful painting.

However, the Chinese Garden was designed for “YOU to be in the picture… YOU are a part of the design!”

Wow! This really struck me when...

If the saying is true, "Seeing is believing," then it pays to have a grant writing portfolio.

Just think about it for a moment...

• Photographers have their photos
• Painters have their painting displayed in galleries
• Musicians have their music on CD's and MP3 files for us to hear

But, where do Grant Writers have their grant proposals?

Hidden away in some electronic files on their computer

No way! Please say this isn't so. If you are a grant professional you are well aware that grant writers can become very protective of the grant proposals they have developed.

However, there is no need to hide them from potential clients. Right?

There are a few reasons why you should have a portfolio:

1. Nearly every potential client will want to see a sample of your work before contracting your services. This is your time to shine.
2. Many job openings for grant writers will request two or three samples of your writings before they are willing to even have a conversation with you. You will...

We all have probably heard the old adage that rules are meant to be broken. However, this saying definitely does not hold true when it comes to the world of grant writing.

In fact, many funders say the number one reason that many grant proposals are rejected is that grant writers do not provide exactly what the funders are requesting. This may be a little frustrating especially if you are the type of person that likes to push the envelope as far as it will go hoping that it will not fall off the table.

But in the arena of writing and applying for grants this course of action can easily cause a grant proposal or application to be placed in the rejection pile.

This is another reminder of why it is so important to provide funders with exactly what they ask for.

Providers vs. Pushers

Funders are not looking for "pushers" rather they are looking for "providers" who can follow instructions and give them the things that they are requesting.

Pushers are grant writers that submit a proposal...