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The number one reason people give for not applying for a
particular grant is that they don't have the time. And it's
probably true.
In this series, I'm going to share with you some of the
tricks of the trade. We will cover everything from big picture
thinking and how it can drive your grantseeking efforts,
to how to use volunteers effectively (when it's a help and
when it's a hindrance). These "tricks" should help you organize
your approach to grantseeking by teaching you how to create
the time to do the job and do it well.
Throughout this series, I encourage you to send me your
own tips, thoughts, and ideas on how to make grant writing
more efficient. (Email me at cadams@grantstation.com.
Be sure to note the subject: Tracks to Success Series Comments.)
Big Picture Thinking
Part One
Developing a vision, engaging the staff and board of directors,
creating a plan, identifying the appropriate grantmaker,
and writing a proposal are all a lot of work, and each step
takes time.
Unfortunately, it is common to "waste" time by starting,
and then stopping, a project because you realize you don't
have a clear vision. It is not out of the ordinary to start
applying for a grant and then abruptly stop because it becomes
apparent that your project isn't well conceived (at least,
not yet!).
Having a vision is critical when seeking grant funding.
This vision has to be yours. You must internalize it and
be able to articulate it at any time. Sometimes your vision
for the organization changes minutely, as what you are doing
or attempting to accomplish becomes clear. Alternately, your
vision may change dramatically due to external forces.
So, how do you find the time to even think about the vision
for your organization, much less tap into those minute changes?
Start by getting out of the office - set aside some time
to think. Schedule a daily "walk" if possible.
If that isn't possible, use the time you have now to think
beyond day-to-day concerns. As you drive to work, walk down
to the coffee shop, go to the post office, sit in the dentist's
waiting room, talk to yourself. Ask yourself, "If
my organization is really going to apply for grant support,
what are we trying to achieve?"
Spend time thinking about the big picture. The moments you
have to yourself are speed bumps that slow you down. You
need to find these moments in order to create space to think
beyond the crisis with staff or board, the patron or member
that has an issue with the organization, or the financial
challenges facing you next week.
Learning to think beyond today, tomorrow, and next week
is a tough assignment. Sometimes we're successful doing this
during a staff or board retreat when there is a facilitator
and a group of people with the same goal. But generally it
isn't something we're all that good at on our own.
So, here are a few tips to help you focus your thinking
when you hit those speed bumps and have a little time:
Embrace the process of asking questions.
Determine a few questions that make sense for the organization
right now, and repeatedly, ask yourself these questions.
You might start by asking, "What is our organization really
trying to achieve?" or "What obstacles lay in the path of
achieving our overall mission?" or "Have we made any headway
toward our objectives and goals over the past year?"
Try to select just one or two questions, and continue to
go over the answers even when you think you've reached a
conclusion.
Remember to note your answers. Don't lose them. I used to
carry a small, handheld tape recorder for this purpose, but
I've gotten better at being able to remember my conclusions.
And, if I don't remember the answer I came up with, then
it usually emerges as I once again tackle the question.
Don't chase funding opportunities. Only
respond to a specific Request for Proposals if it concerns
a particular problem or need your community is facing and
you feel your organization is ready to address that problem.
For example, let's say an urban neighborhood has a youth
gang problem. You operate a Youth Center that borders this
neighborhood but hasn't served its residents in the past.
You receive notice that the federal government is making
some significant grants (in the range of $250,000 up to $1
million) to address youth violence and you fit all of the
eligibility criteria.
It is tempting to go after this money, but you have to ask
yourself the big questions before you do:
- Will this opportunity further the mission of the Youth
Center?
- Are my staff and board prepared for this kind of expansion?
- How will such an expansion affect the work we do now?
- Does the grant provide more funding than our organization
can effectively manage?
Here's where you make the smart decisions.
If the federal grant award will take you outside your organization's
mission, or if the board and staff aren't prepared for this
type of expansion, then you may have to set aside the opportunity
for now. The most attractive funding opportunity - lots of
money and tailor-made criteria - is probably not the wisest
choice if it takes you off track or causes dissent within
your organization.
This brings us back to the big picture. Try to keep that
larger-than-life vision in your sights at all times. Talk
to yourself about it - think about it - keep it uppermost
in your thoughts as you maneuver through the chaos of day-to-day
organizational management.
Having that vision as your foundation will help guide time-bound
decisions (like applying for that federal money before the
deadline in six weeks!), and makes for quick, simple decisions
rather than prolonged, even agonizing, conversations with
staff and advisors.
Next week we'll talk about identifying tools and resources
already at hand that can help you save time in your grantseeking. |
