By Debbie Wolfe

I attended a webinar on grant writing hosted by the Society of Georgia Archivists earlier this summer. The webinar was led by Lilly Heidari, Grants and Development Manager at the Historic Oakland Foundation. I found it to be an insightful experience, especially since my only exposure to grant writing so far has been a grant writing class I took this spring. This webinar taught me that anyone looking to break into the world of grant writing must not only understand the technical aspects but also appreciate the nuances that can make or break a proposal. Here are the five key takeaways I gathered from the session.

Familiarize Yourself with Grant Terminology

As a professional content writer, I often have to familiarize myself with my discourse community and use the appropriate keywords in my writing when addressing that audience. The webinar emphasized the importance of grasping terms like “grant makers” and “grant seekers”, and other commonly used terms for grant writing. As with any discourse community, understanding key terms will help navigate conversations and written applications with confidence.

Identify Different Types of Funders

In my grant writing class, I discovered that grants come from various sources, each with different expectations and procedures. In the webinar, Ms. Heidari explained that funders are categorized into three main groups: government agencies, foundations, and corporations. She noted that government agencies can offer funding at the county, city, state, or national level, while foundations typically focus on specific causes such as the arts or education. Ms. Heidari further clarified that corporations, often motivated by philanthropy and tax benefits, may also provide substantial support.

Understand the Grant Proposal Structure

A grant proposal is more than just a request for money; it’s a comprehensive document that tells the story of your project and why it deserves funding. During the webinar, Ms. Heidari outlined the three core components of a grant proposal: the narrative, the budget, and supporting attachments. The narrative answers critical questions like “Who are you?” and “Why is your project important?” The budget provides a detailed breakdown of the funds needed, and the attachments can include anything from impact reports to letters of support.

Utilize Pre-Award Resources

One of the most valuable insights from the webinar was the importance of preparation during the pre-award stage. Many government agencies and foundations offer resources such as webinars and training sessions designed to help applicants submit strong proposals. In my grant writing class, I chose to apply for an AARP Community Grant. I attended their webinar, where the hosts graciously walked attendees through the grant application process. Furthermore, they provided dozens of examples on their website of successful grant applications from the past. Ms. Heidari explained that these resources are often available online for free and provide crucial guidance on navigating the specifics of the application process.

Grasp the Grant Life Cycle

The webinar and my grant writing class taught me that grants typically follow a life cycle consisting of three stages: pre-award, during funding, and post-award. The pre-award phase involves preparing and submitting the application, while the during-funding phase requires managing the awarded funds and submitting progress reports. Finally, the post-award stage involves submitting final reports and maintaining relationships with funders. Understanding this cycle is essential for managing grants effectively and ensuring long-term success.