GRANT WRITING FAQ

Question: Why are the grant applications due on the date specified?
This is absolutely the worst possible time. Can't the deadlines be moved to a later date?

Answer: The early submission deadlines help to ensure that matters related to funding and aquisition of supplies to implement the grant proposals will occur in a timely fashion. The beginning of the school year is hectic. It is, understandably, the worst time to have to plan and write a grant proposal. The solution to this problem is to plan in advance. All the grant applications and rubrics are available online. As a result, there is no need to wait until the Teachers' Center sends out reminders and grant applications in the fall. Start the grant writing process when it is convenient for you.

Question: How much detail should I include in my grant proposal?

Answer: The ideas presented in a grant proposal should be stated as specifically as possible rather than left as vague generalities, yet the proposal should not be overly wordy. Refer to the rubric for information on what the grant reader will be looking for. There ought to be enough information in the grant proposal for the reader to judge if the goals are realistic and consistent with the grant program, if the activities are appropriate to the goals, and if the budget supports the activities. The only way for the grant writer to be certain the appropriate details are included in the proposal and that space is not wasted on fluff is to look at the rubric.

Question: Some of the grant applications limit the narrative to three single-spaced typed pages. How can I write a winning proposal in that little space?

Answer: Grant applications are read by volunteers. Wading through prose may be great for leisure time reading, but it is no picnic for a busy grant reader no matter how good it sounds. Editorial constraints actually improve your writing. Winning grant applications leave out the fluff and include only what is important. Let the rubric be your guide on this. Bulleting items instead of writing complete descriptive paragraphs can sometimes help to make your proposal clear and yet save space. There are some major grant programs that restrict the total length of grant applications including even the exhibits and appendices. The Teachers' Center does not do this. Although the Teachers' Center limits the narrative, you may include your needs assesment tool, your evaluation tool, sample activities, or other pertinent exhibits as appendices. When all else fails, it is also possible to adjust font size and margins, but within reason.

MORE QUESTIONS?

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