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Are you looking to achieve funding success? Today, we’re tackling a crucial aspect of securing funding: understanding your funders. Knowing who you’re asking for money from is just as important as having a great project idea. This understanding is key to “grant writing gold”.
Step 1: Identifying Potential Funders for Funding Success
Before you even think about writing a proposal or grant application, you need a list of potential funders. Start by using online databases and directories. Many organisations list grants they’ve given in the past. This gives you a great starting point. Look for funders whose mission aligns with your project’s goals. Don’t just look at the big names; smaller, local foundations can be great sources of funding too. This initial research is a critical step towards funding success.
Expert tip: Use your Google or Microsoft search engine or its AI helper and ask it to identify projects (describe yours) that have been funded and who provided the funding. Ask it to provide sources and this is a short-cut to finding out who has funded projects like yours in the past. You can then do some research on those organisations and what funding programs they have.
Step 2: Deep Dive into Funder Research for Funding Success
Once you have a list, it’s time for some detective work! For each potential funder, thoroughly examine their website. Look for:
- Past grants awarded: What types of projects have they funded before? What’s their typical grant size?
- Their mission statement: What are their core values and priorities?
- Grant guidelines: What are their specific requirements and preferences? Do they have any restrictions?
- Annual reports: These often provide insights into their funding priorities and strategies.
Remember, you want to find funders whose interests match your project. Trying to force a fit will likely lead to rejection. Understanding their funding priorities is paramount to funding success.
Step 3: Tailoring Your Project Plan for Funding Success
Now comes the crucial part: Develop a project plan, outlining what you are doing and how this aligns to the funders grant priorities. Rewrite this project plan for each funder, highlighting the aspects of your project and how the project outcomes align to theirs. Show them you understand their mission, values and how your project aligns. Use their language and terminology where appropriate, but avoid simply copying their words; show that you understand their priorities.
Step 4: The Importance of a Compelling Narrative for Funding Success
Your proposal or application isn’t just a list of facts and figures; it’s a story. Tell the story of your project in a clear, concise, and engaging way. Use simple language, avoiding jargon and technical terms. Focus on the impact of your project and how it will benefit the community. Remember to include real-life stories (testimonials) and examples to make your proposal more relatable and memorable. Remember, a conversational tone is key to connecting with the reader on a personal level.
Step 5: Strategic Alignment
For a strong project plan, one of the key elements is demonstrating strategic alignment. Read their plans and work out how your project aligns with these and helps them achieve their goals. If you’re pitching this project outside of a grant program, you would lead with this alignment in your introductory call or email. Consider outlining your proposal before writing to ensure a logical flow and avoid repetition. Use clear headings and subheadings to guide the reader, and ensure each paragraph has a key point. Pay attention to the writing style, maintaining a professional yet conversational tone while subtly highlighting why the funder should choose your project. Avoid jargon and overly long sentences.
Summary
Researching and understanding your funders is essential for funding success. By taking the time to thoroughly research potential funders and tailor your proposals to their specific interests, you significantly increase your chances of securing funding.