What IS a Grant, Exactly?

My son's "Give" jar for his allowance. The process he uses to decide who gets his money is more complex than some grants I have written.

I get this question a lot. 

When I tell people what I do, they ask what a grant is. I tell them it's basically a formal way of asking for money, and that I specialize in working with nonprofit organizations asking for support of their mission. I write answers to questions about an organization or project, and then I submit the proposal. Sometimes my proposals get my organizations money. Lather, rinse, repeat. 

They often respond with something along the lines of, "You LIKE doing that?" Lulz. 

I think too many people get flashbacks to research papers from high school and college. To be fair, that is a lot what grant writing is like. Perhaps that's why I like it so much. But for me, grants are so much more than just answering questions and filling in the blanks. 
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1. A grant is a conversation. One of the things I love the most about grant writing is the chance to tell potential funders about amazing work being done by my clients and why it matters. To do this effectively, I have to understand the issues not just as my clients see them, but also as the funder sees them. Then I use a combination of the head (data) and the heart (stories) to lay a path toward common ground and a shared understanding on both sides of the grant application. 
   
   
2. A grant is a promise. At its most basic, a grant is a gift. The gift is usually money, and it is given without expectations of paying it back. But that doesn't mean it's free. When you apply for a grant, you are making a promise to the funder that you will use any gift they give you to do the work you both agree is worthwhile. You promise to use their money to make a difference in the world.
   
   When I write, I am a stickler for solid outcome language and clear financial documents. This is because I know that funders need to trust my clients can fulfill their promises, and I know they are wary of plans that aren't thought through. 
   
   
3. A grant is a relationship. Grants are how people with money effect change. They can't do it themselves, so they are partnering with you to do it. The least you can do is to keep them in the loop. Well, no, actually. The least you can do is send one thank you note, do nothing for a year, and then show up next year asking for more. Don't do that. 
   
   Funders see your work as an extension of their mission, and they want to be part of it. They want to feel good about giving you money, and you want them to feel good about it too. The application is just the first step to forming a relationship that, if nurtured, can grow into a beautiful one for both people. 
   
   

A while ago, I took one of those Strengths Finder assessments. To the surprise of almost no one I worked with, my top two Strengths were Input (I accumulate information) and WOO (Winning Others Over). I couldn't see it then, but I think that's what makes me such a good grant writer. I love being the connection between people and using all the information out there to do it. 

And, while I know this isn't everyone's jam, it's mine. And I am so lucky I get to use my strengths and passions to make a difference in my way so my clients can get back to making a difference in their way.  

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