Thursday, April 21, 2016

The Importance Of Accuracy In Grant Writing

By Michael Barnes


When looking for funding for a corporation, non-profit, government, university or other entity, a written proposal can often be a good choice. Grant writing, also known as a proposal refers to completing an application for funding. This funding is generally provided by an institution such as a foundation, corporation or government or university. While this is the case, content, formatting and style can vary across different organizational types.

The most successful writers have an in-depth understanding of grantsmanship. While the fundamentals of this writing style are often universal in nature, it is important to know the audience, subject and amount requested. In addition, the process will require information related to all paid and non-paid staff related to an event or organization requesting funds.

When seeking to obtain funds, it is important to know the process from creation to completion. The best structure for creating a proposal includes observing the audience, purpose analysis, information gathering and constructing content. After which, it is essential to read, review and revise details as necessary.

There are some basic steps which can assist writers in this area. These are, audience analysis, constructing a purpose and including all information requested by the funding organization. Once these items are complete, it is important to read, review, revise and structure the proposal. By following any guidelines which have been provided, writers can often eliminate some potential revisions.

Most often, writers submit a first draft to the requesting entity for review. There are often changes requested or required whether due to content or structure. While it is important to pay attention to detail, it is also important to make these changes in a timely and efficient manner. Even if a writer does an outstanding job, there could still be more changes required. As such, this type writing requires individuals who are patient, understanding and willing to revise material multiple times upon request.

Different proposals often have different guidelines related to content, structure and writing style. As such, it is imperative that a writer knows the subject matter and follow any guidelines provided by an agency. Guidelines often include information related to drafting, formatting and submitting proposals for approval. Writers following these guidelines are often more likely to obtain funding than others.

Writers need use short succinct sentences, proper grammar and accurate spelling. Each proposal or request need include an introduction, middle and end. Cost analysis is also required, and is often one of the most important factors to include in a request. It is essential that proposals be spell-checked and proofed before submission. As with deadlines, these are items which can result an an immediate refusal of funds, often to entities in dire need of financial assistance.

Depending on the sponsoring organization, it can often take several weeks or months to receive a response. When seeking out a grant or scholarship, it is essential to submit the information on or before a posted deadline. Otherwise, it is most likely the request will be refused upon receipt. Proposals which are accepted and approved can often be finalized within a few weeks to a month as long as all parties agree on terms and conditions.




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