Can a stranger read it and understand exactly what you plan to do?
The very last field is finally filled in. Stick a fork in it and call it done. Time to click on the “submit” button and get that puppy off for consideration. Not so fast!
While you may have reached the point where you’re so familiar with the questions and answers you can close your eyes and see the text go swimming by, are you ready to hear that you’re not really finished? You’re not really finished.
But first, a bit of time traveling
You’re somewhere in the process of applying for a grant as you read this. The advice to come will be more helpful to know before you get to the end of the process.
And, now we’ll jump to the end of the process. The very last field is finally filled in. Stick a fork in it and call it done. Time to click…
There’s a lot of déjà vu that accompanies time travel.
As far as you’re concerned, the application is ready to go. This is where doubt starts to creep in. Have you correctly captured the mission? Did you spell out how you’ll measure the impact in a way that will resonate with the decision-makers? Have you made a convincing case as to why the grantmaker should partner with you? Maybe you should read it all again.
Do this instead
You’re too close to the application—and not because it’s right there in front of you on the screen. At this point, you’ve spent too much time with it. If there are mistakes, you won’t see them. That’s not because you’re careless.
You’re trying to convey meaning. You’ve activated parts of your brain that do very high-level thinking. When we rise to more complex processes our brain tends to generalize and dismiss detail components like spelling errors—or even word omissions. We focus on validating the complex ideas we want to communicate. What we see on the screen is overwritten by what we see in our heads.
You need to give the application to someone whose brain has not been on the journey yours has taken repeatedly as you completed the grant application. They’ll pay attention to the details along the way. Unlike you, they won’t anticipate the final destination. What they see on the screen or printed out will not be overwritten by what’s playing in their head.
Howdy, stranger
Make that someone a person who has little or no knowledge of your organization. We’ve all got that one friend who’s not afraid to tell you that you’re zigging when you should be zagging. They’re the person for this job. Yes, you’ll want them to catch typos. However, more importantly, you want them to catch your drift. After they’ve finished reading your application, can they tell you:
- What your organization does?
- Why your organization does it?
- Why you selected this grantmaker?
- Why the grantmaker should approve the funding?
- How you and the grantmaker will know it was a successful decision?
You haven’t successfully communicated your meaning if they’re unable to answer these questions.
This person also needs to look over your financial numbers. Again, it’s to catch typos—but it’s also to make sure that the story you’re telling with the grant application is reflected in the numbers.
This takes time
How many pages is that application? This handing-it-off-to-a-stranger process is not something you’ll plan to do about an hour before the submission deadline. Aim for a week before the submission deadline.
It all makes sense to you. The numbers add up. You can’t think of a reason why your grant application shouldn’t sail right through the approval process. It may not be typos that undermine your intent. It could be that your intent has undermined the grant application’s meaning. The “why” of your narrative is clear in your head, but not in the application.
What needs to be fixed will be obvious when pointed out. You’ll likely find it’s also easy to fix. We can help if it isn’t. Where do you need to find clarity? Grant writing is all we do. Maybe it’s time our paths crossed.
