Funders and requests for proposals

RFPs

Writing proposals is a specialized skill that has a wide range of applications in the workplace. Writers may be able to find full-time, part-time, contract, or freelance work for organizations such as medical centers and educational institutions. It is not creative writing per se, although creativity is a useful attribute for a writer to have. Proposal writing is a type of technical writing, requiring the ability to persuade and to follow instructions. Successful proposal writers must be organized and pay great attention to detail.

Proposals can range from a single page letter of intent to a document that can be twenty to twenty-five pages or more. The length of the proposal is determined by the funding agency and the information it requires. Requests for government funding often have the most requirements, and grant seekers may have to submit itemized budgets, detailed project narratives, resumes of the principals involved, project timelines and supporting documents such as tax status and census data. Failure to comply, even if it is an accidental omission, can disqualify a grant application, hence the importance of following the instructions carefully.

Despite tough economic times, there is still a great deal of grant money available. Because of tough economic times, competition for funding can be fierce. Once again, the writer's ability to focus on detail and meet all the criteria specified by a funder can make the difference between successful and unsuccessful grants. As Coley and Scheinberg (2007) pointed out, any organization seeking grants is competing with "a rapidly growing range of nonprofits, for-profit providers, independent contractors, and even public agencies." Further, more than just outstanding writing skills are required. "Grant writers also need to understand what funders are (or could learn to be) interested in, where the competition is going, and how to locate potential collaborators who can strengthen their proposals" (Coley and Scheinberg, p. xiii).

Federal funding sources can be located at Grants.gov, while private sources are listed through subscriber-based search engines such as the Foundation Center and GrantStation.com. Listings typically provide information about the organization's mission and types of proposals funded, annual giving and size of average grant, proposal guidelines and contact information. It is imperative that the proposal writer makes certain the proposal is a good fit for the funding organization. There are many worthwhile causes in the world and even the richest foundations fund only a relatively few. For best results, writers will help develop proposals that align closely with the funder's mission. Writers should look at the mission of their own organization, and consider its objectives, goals and strategic tasks as they seek funders. Successful proposals match projects to an organization's mission as well as match them to a grantor's mission. It usually does not work to create a proposal just for the sake of applying for a grant. Readers of proposals will have difficulty in justifying funding when the missions of grantor and grantee are too far apart.

Writers will work with proponents within their own organization to develop programs or project ideas that will appeal to grantors. The writer's role in the process will depend on the size of the organization and the breadth and depth of input from the individuals whose project will benefit from the grant. A grant writer cannot provide expertise in every field but can provide subject-matter experts with writing skill and the ability to navigate proposal guidelines.