More than Storytelling - Strategic Grantwriting
By Meghan CampThe first grant I ever wrote was in my last year of college at Virginia Tech. As a professional writing student, I had enrolled in a grantwriting course, curious to learn how I might use my writing skills to support great programs and create positive change in my community. Over the course of the semester, I learned the nuts and bolts of grantwriting while crafting a proposal for the local YMCA to introduce a series of cultural celebrations for the university’s international students and their families. The process was fun, interesting and incredibly rewarding—and ultimately set me on my path to work in the social sector.
Fast forward many years, hundreds of grants and many dollars later, and I’ve learned a lot more about what it takes to win a grant. And while strong writing and storytelling are no doubt crucial pieces of the puzzle, there are many more factors that contribute to grantwriting success.
It is our awareness and consideration of the greater strategy that makes Point b(e) Strategies more than just your friendly grantwriting contractors. As grant strategists and consultants, we are deeply committed to helping our clients think about their grants programs holistically, encouraging them to ask questions like:
How does grantwriting fit into our broader fundraising strategy? What are the other fundraising avenues that support our work?
Are we pursuing grants that fit into our mission, vision and strategic plan? Or are we “chasing dollars” and potentially spreading ourselves too thin?
Does our current infrastructure, from the strength of our staff and board, to the health of our financials, inspire confidence in the feasibility and sustainability of our proposal?
Are we able to capture information that meaningfully demonstrates the value and impact of our programs and the work we are proposing? Are we inviting our clients and constituents to help guide our efforts to ensure our programs are community-responsive?
Do we have the tools and capacity to not only complete the work we are proposing but also meet the funder’s criteria and reporting guidelines?
Are we considering the long-term sustainability of any new work we are proposing? If a funding source were to disappear, is this work we could absorb into our budget or support through other funding streams?
At the end of the day, grants can be a time-intensive and highly competitive endeavor. And while Point b(e) Strategies is a proponent and advocate for equitable and trust-based philanthropy, we are well-aware that many foundations and most government grantors attach very specific goals, guidelines and requirements to their funding opportunities.
Our goal is to position our clients for the greatest possible success by helping them think critically about how each and every grant they pursue fits into their organizational strategy and furthers their mission. We help clients identify strongly aligned funders, craft their unique story of impact, assess the strength of their evaluation, and intentionally build grant reporting into their regular processes. Our experience tells us that each of these ingredients is necessary to setting organizations up for long-term grantwriting success.
