Authorial Perspective in Grant Writing

To many practitioners, grant writing remains a formulaic exercise: answer the questions, include data points, proofread, and move on to whatever else the day demands. This cycle has persisted due in large part to the demands on development professionals and organizational leadership. Too few hours and too many responsibilities, all tinged with the anxiety of budget pressures and an uncertain funding landscape. Such pressures do not preclude a reconsideration of best practices, though. 

The best proposals are translations. The best writers are interpreters. Whereas many proposals emerge from a position of “here’s how great the organization is,” they often sacrifice depth of alignment for ease of presentation. The origin of the presentation matters greatly, and when writers craft their prose more completely from the reviewer’s perspective–ascertained from meetings and other communication–they develop more compelling applications. 

My proposed reorientation goes well beyond the typical statements of alignment between nonprofit and funder priorities. By adopting the complete perspective of their program officer–including the needs of their portfolio, their delivery of information during past meetings, and the historical trends within their organization–writers can refine their entire proposal. Beyond content, the astute applicant curates the types and amount of data, its presentation, the tenor of the prose, its rhetorical construction, and even the degree of concision. 

When writers adopt this approach, the reviewer will work less when considering an application; it’s already in terms natural to them. Coupled with an established relationship, the written and spoken word coalesce into a holistic connection that engenders trust and appreciation. These abstract qualities materialize into tangible financial benefits.