3.1 Introduction
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” ~ Marcel Proust
Chapter Competency
Explore funding options for grant projects
Learning Objectives
- Match request with appropriate grant funders
- Identify sponsor priorities
- Access grant directories
- Distinguish between public and private funding
- Compose grant appeals
- Explain strategies for personal contact
Grant writing starts with knowing where to find a grant that will match the needs of the applicant. Grants can be funded privately or through the local, state, or federal government. It is up to the proposal team to come up with innovative ideas to help the organization or community in which they serve. The ideas should be unique when applicable but also grounded in logic with deliverables that can be measured and attained within the time allotted for the grant period. Some grants are funded for a year, and others extend for several years. Grants can also be applied for (and won!) on an annual basis, provided the project was successful and additional funding is needed to sustain and/or expand efforts.
This chapter dives into the deep well of exploring funding options. It sheds light on various sources for grant projects, the differences between government and private grants, tips on researching funding opportunities, and examples of successful funding strategies. At the end of the chapter, you will find an activity where you will get the opportunity to create a script for communicating professionally with funding organizations.
