Grant Writing Tips #7 and #8

I've been a little under the weather this past week, but I thought I'd at least keep up with my weekly grant tips. Look for more goodies later this week!

#7 Follow the directions. Seriously.

One way grants are sifted through is by eliminating those who didn’t heed the instructions. Alway read and follow the fine print, down to font size and margins. Your grant application is like a job application. If you don’t follow the word limit, include the required information, or meet the deadline, it’s already over. You’ve shown you don’t really want the “job.” If you have questions about how to complete the grant, there is usually an e-mail or phone number listed for you to contact for information. Better to be safe than sorry in the end.

#8 Grammar and spelling count. Word choice does, too.

Whatever you do, check your work before you turn it in. Nobody likes to read through a paper that’s a minefield of mechanical errors (not even you, teacher). The appearance of your grant application is just another way of showing you do or don't care. Nobody really wants to read something that goes over his or her head, either. Don’t use “big words” in attempt to impress the reader. After all it’s a grant application, not a college essay. Just be your best self, and you may be surprised at the outcome.