Things You'll Need:
- Computer
- Internet Access
- Word Processing Software (like Microsoft Word)
- Some Basic Intellectual Ability
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Step 1
Starting your search for grant funding can be a little overwhelming. Although the process is not overly difficult, don't be fooled into think that it is simple. But there are a few places you can go to that will make your search easier. Finding the write foundations or agencies that award grants that fit your needs is the first big obstacle.
There are a lot of internet sites that claim they can guarantee thousands of dollars if you buy their grant product. Most of them are just ways of collecting "Leads" so they can up-sell you into a $3000, $4000, or $6000 dollar product. There are only a few grant products out there that I trust. Grant Funding Mentor (www.grantfundingmentor.net)is one of the better ones. They offer a grant course on CD for just $1.99 with a trial membership into an online resource center where you can search for the right foundation or organization that awards grants to fit your needs. The trial is limited to 30 days for free and then there is a $39.95 charge per month until canceled. But it is well worth it. -
Step 2
It is important to remember that in the grant writing process you’re trying to make an impression on an organization that you are asking to just give you money. So clearly, you’ll want to make a good impression.
Besides the basics of using proper grammar, spell check, and having someone else proof read your proposal before submitting it, you’ll also want to write your proposal in a way that shows the grantor that you need this funding for a worthy cause. For instance, when asked to explain why you need the funding, instead of saying:
“I want to throw a raging party for me and the guys and get plastered!”
You could try explaining it like this:
“This funding would be used to study the effects of alcohol on the human body. This study would be ongoing for several weeks and involve multiple subjects of varying height and weight exposed to several types of alcoholic beverages. The purpose of this study is to test the limits of the individual subjects in relationship to their body height and weight and determining how much is too much.
The study will be closely monitored and we will also have non-alcoholic beverages consumed by a control group for this study. Strict safety measures will be enforced to ensure that the test subjects are protected. One of the requirements for all of our test subjects is that they will not be allowed to drive for a period of 24 hours after the end of the study session and designated drivers will be on call at a moments notice.
After the completion of this study I plan to have my findings published in the American Medical Association Journal of Medicine. I have already contacted the AMA to inform them of this study.”
While the first example is straightforward and right to the point, it sheds a negative light on why you need the funding. Most organizations, will not give out funding for someone to throw a party. They might, however, give out funding to study the effects of alcohol on the human body because that information can be used to help society in setting limits for alcohol consumption, or it could help those who produce alcoholic beverages to design packages that are an appropriate size for the average consumer. Remember you need to show that the funding needed is for a worthy cause.
While giving false or incorrect information on a grant application or proposal is highly discouraged and is a sure way of getting your proposal rejected, giving your proposal a different spin will help get your proposal n -
Step 3
Your next step is to submit your application and follow up at least weekly. The tricky part is follow up enough to keep your proposal in the minds of the grantors without being a pest
