myths

8 Grant Writing Myths Holding You Back

In my many years of teaching about the world of grants, I have come across eight recurring myths that can derail your proposal writing efforts. When I began writing proposals, I too sometimes felt lost. I knew though that I needed to win grants to be able to creatively enhance the lives of others, and… read more

STEM education

Fixing America`s STEM Problem: Funding Opportunities

America is way behind in the STEM disciplines and if this is not reversed now, the U.S. will lose its economic strength. Fifty-one nations are more effectively teaching their students to compete in a technological society than the U.S. This makes educating America’s youth a national security priority. Given the urgency to educate U.S. students… read more

wedding rings

The Ideal Marriage: Foundations and You

An ideal marriage between a foundation and a grantee requires commitment to a shared vision. Projects and beneficiaries are the common ground between a donor awarding grants and an applicant seeking funds. The primary focus for a foundation is requesting excellent outcomes from grantees. The key emphasis for the requester is proving that their project… read more

Beef Wellington

Writing a Grant is Like Preparing Beef Wellington

A great meal can be as complex to prepare as Beef Wellington, or as simple as roasted chicken. The same is true of writing a winning grant proposal. The grant writer, like the chef, must focus on ingredients, preparation, and presentation. For an epicurean presentation of Beef Wellington, a master chef with experience should be… read more

Letter of Inquiry

The Letter of Inquiry: Quality Makes the Difference

Writing a good letter of inquiry is critical to getting your donor’s attention. The quality of this letter is what makes or breaks your chances of being invited to submit a proposal. Although approaching a funder can be intimidating, writing an excellent letter of inquiry is the best way to get your foot in the door…. read more

grant-puzzle

5 Organizational Criteria That Win Grants

Transparency, credibility, and accountability are the criteria used to assess how your organization will succeed in implementing a grant proposal. Knowing who you are, what you want, and how you will get there as an organization is immediately apparent in a grant request. When you address these underlying points, the donor will be reassured that… read more

Politics

Grants: Who Decides Where the Money Goes

The process of deciding which funding to provide and which to cut is constantly in flux. Changes are happening both regionally and nationally, in both the public and private sectors. It was for this reason that the Department of Education of one Southern state invited me to work with those making the decisions about which… read more

Weymouth_-_Harbour_Bridge_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1007800

Science & Humanities: Should You Bridge the Divide?

Every time I greet workshop participants prior to teaching, the introductions quickly outline divisions in the disciplines. In a typical grant training course, I see about seventy percent scientists, twenty-five percent social scientists, and three to five percent various humanities professionals. Within minutes, I notice a stark behavioral approach between the two groups. The scientists,… read more