Assignment (1 page paper) Apply the characteristics of persuasive writing to turn the Literature Review into a persuasive argument. Be sure that: The persuasive argument begins with a strong hook or compelling statement that i

8 • NONPROFIT WORLD Volume 27, Number 6www.snpo.org

I s there anything more disap- pointing than investing weeks of work on a grant application

only to have it rejected? You know how hard it is to write a competi- tive grant, but do you know how easy it is to make one fatal mistake that automatically disqualifies your proposal? Heed the advice of those who’ve been on the other side of the grant-writing process and avoid these seven grant-writing sins.

1. Submit a poor Match Even a flawless grant application

will be worthless if you submit it to a funder whose mission doesn’t align with yours. “Foundations award grants to organizations that will help them reach their long- term goals,” says Judy Keel, who worked at the largest healthcare foundation in San Diego for nearly a decade. “Make sure you’re ap- plying to an appropriate funder for your project or program.”

Before writing your application, review as much information about the grantmaker as you can get your hands on. Study the funder’s annu- al report, brochure, and Web site. Peruse a list of past grantees, and

discern whether your project fits on that list. If you can make a case that your work will help advance the grantmaker’s mission, go ahead and apply.

2. ignore Directions In the guidelines of each grant

application are directions on ex- actly how to submit your proposal. Funders make specific requests about page limits, margins, and font size. Some want attachments; others don’t. Some request 10 hard copies of your application; others only accept online submissions. Read these directions carefully, and follow them meticulously.

Don’t try to sneak in extra pages. If you write over the page limit or include prohibited attachments, grantmakers may throw out that information.

No matter how outlandish the directions seem, follow them. If the funder requests that all ap- plications be on aqua blue paper, print yours on aqua blue paper and remember: “They who have the gold make the rules.”

3. Be a Stranger Before submitting your proposal,

contact the funder’s program offi-

cer with a few specific questions. Look on the Web site for instruc- tions on how to get in touch, and read all the information provided there.

Make sure your questions show you’ve read all the information and still can’t find the answers. There may be no such thing as a stupid question, but smart questions can make you look stupid if they’ve al- ready been answered on the Web site’s FAQ page. By beginning with concrete, intelligent questions, you can gauge the program officer’s interest and decide if it’s appropri- ate to ask a few more general ques- tions about the chances of getting funded.

Most important, be respectful, courteous, and grateful. If all goes well, these funders will be financ- ing your dreams, and you want to show them the proper respect for that opportunity.

By contacting the program offi- cer in advance, you’ll have an ally within the foundation. This will be invaluable if the decision mak- ing committee needs clarification about your project and your new contact can address their ques- tions.

Nonprofit World • Volume 27, Number 6 November/December 2009. Published by the Society for Nonprofit Organizations 5820 Canton Center Road, Suite 165, Canton, Michigan 48187 734-451-3582 • www.snpo.org

Fundraising forum

Seven Deadly Grant-Writing Sins Don’t let your grant-writing efforts go to waste because of

one lethal mistake. Here’s what to avoid at all costs. By Katie Krueger

Do you know how easy it is to make

one fatal mistake that automatically disqualifies

your proposal?

You wouldn’t ask the bank for a loan in the

amount of “whatever you can give,” so don’t ask it

of a grantmaker.

Funders are looking for reasons to throw out

applications.

November/December 2009 NONPROFIT WORLD • 9www.snpo.org

get deadlines. The post office loses mail. Accidents bring traffic to a standstill. And Murphy’s Law en- sures that the less time you have to deal with these problems, the more likely they are to happen. Give yourself enough time to tackle the unexpected.

If you work best under pressure, set a false deadline a week before the real deadline. Calling program officers in tears isn’t likely to help. They may empathize, but giving you extra time would be unfair to applicants who did meet the dead- line.

7. Ask for the impossible Foundations are very clear about

what they will and won’t fund. Ex- amine their Web sites and grant guidelines carefully, and don’t ask for what they won’t give. For exam- ple, some foundations won’t fund general operating costs, and others won’t fund staff salaries. Make sure what you’re requesting is some- thing they’ll consider.

funders’ Biggest Lament Your application isn’t just a de-

scription of your program but your introduction to the funder and a reflection of your work. Keep it clear of careless errors so that it represents your best work and your full potential to be a success- ful grantfunded program.

The biggest lament of funders is that they always receive more pro- posals than they can fund. They’re looking for reasons to throw out

Most program officers are open to inquiries from applicants and happy to help. After all, helping you write a great proposal helps them make great grants.

4. Leave Copyediting to SpellCheck

Simple typos can leave a bad impression or, even worse, change your proposal’s meaning. Spell- check won’t catch them all. Having typos is like airing your dirty laun- dry in public. The last thing you want is to fill the grant review ses- sion with laughter, thanks to the errors in your application. Let an- other applicant do that: maybe the Starvation Army or Untied Way.

5. Submit a Sloppy Budget View foundations as investors

looking for positive returns, mea- sured by advancements in their mission. They want to know exact- ly how much money they’re spend- ing and where it’s going. With that in mind, ask for a definite amount. You wouldn’t ask the bank for a loan in the amount of “whatever you can give,” so don’t ask it of a grantmaker.

Request a reasonable amount. If the average grant award from this foundation is $2,000, ask for a grant below or at that level. Ask- ing for $10,000 because you think your program is an extraordinary fit only means it will be rejected extraordinarily fast.

Double check your math, and make sure the figures are consis- tent throughout the proposal. Does the total request on your cover page match the total request in your budget? Do these numbers reflect what’s needed to implement the plan you laid out in the narra- tive? Math errors are a huge turn- off for a potential investor.

6. Miss the Deadline Computers crash. Copy ma-

chines break down. Partners for-

www.snpo.orgNovember/December 2009 NONPROFIT WORLD • 9

Smart questions can make you look stupid if they’ve already been answered on the Web

site’s FAQ page.

By contacting the program officer in

advance, you’ll have an ally within the

foundation.

Having typos is like airing your dirty laundry

in public. applications: A simple mistake on your part may be the deciding factor that keeps your application from being considered. Avoid the seven mistakes above and you’ll al- low your application the full con- sideration it deserves.

RESOURCES Hutchinson, Bill & Ann Otter,

“Straight Talk from Foundations and Corporations,” Nonprofit World, Vol. 3, No. 5.

Remley, Dirk, “Two Keys to Successful Grant Proposals,” Nonprofit World, Vol. 15, No. 3.

Vartorella, William, “Focus- ing on Foundation Grants: The Powerful Reverse Needs Assess- ment,” Nonprofit World, Vol. 12, No. 4.

These resources are available at www.snpo.org/members. Also see Learning Institute programs on-line: Resource Development and O for Opportunity: Explor- ing New Revenue Opportunities for Nonprofits (http://www.snpo. org/lino).

Katie Krueger ([email protected], 608-234-0401) writes grants for school districts and nonprofits near Mad- ison, Wisconsin. She edits the grant-writing Web site www. FindFunding.net; teaches ”Introduction to Grant Writing,” a community education course; and speaks often to audi- ences about grants and community service.

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