Proposal Writing: Getting Personal in Grant Writing

It's Friday and this is how I feel. I know many grant writers often find themselves draped over the keyboard and exhausted by the writing process. You give every word you have and even attempt to make up new ones before you're spent. If you have never experienced this...keep writing, it will happen. Promise.

Proposal creation is craft. A creative endeavor. Technical language and dry prose can linger on the page, but at the end of the day (or week or month) you have created something that wasn't there before. You've communicated in a sophisticated way that is only possible between human beings. You've taken an obscure idea or project and given it legs, wings, a voice and pointed it in the right direction. How can you not get personal about writing a proposal?

Get personal in your proposal. It's okay. 
There are good ways and bad ways to interject a personal touch into a grant proposal. Do it right and you'll connect with the funder in a way that matters and makes them feel something about your project. Do it wrong and you'll risk your future funding opportunities. Remember, it's personal for your organization, not for you. Be one with the organization and you'll find the right words (oh, Yoda).

Here are a few simple ways that you can give a personal touch to any proposal application--short, long, fat, squiggly or something in the middle. Think of it like your favorite spice. A little dash goes a long way.

• Connect with the funder's mission and focus. Point out how your organizations are similar. 
• Mention a recent community event, site visit or shared connection. Did you recently give a tour? Can you weave a personal connection into your proposal or better yet, cover letter? 
• Tell a Story. Share a thoughtful, true and meaningful story about someone who benefits from your organization's work.
• Do your homework and find another similar project that has received a gift from the funder. Remind them of this connection and your likeminded work. 
•  Finally, say thank you. "Thank you kindly". "Thank you in advance". Be gracious and respectful. Don't sound like a talking computer. That's so 1968. 

Proposal writing is a tough, technical craft. However, you must remember that you are always writing for other people. People who (usually) know how to feel just like everyone else. If you were on the other end of your proposal, what would move you to award funding to your organization?

Photo thanks: Nicole Elkington 

~Cheers!