We live in a world where, good or bad, advice comes from all directions. It's so much that sometimes it feels like we are living in a vortex.
The good news is that I am here to help you navigate this maze and get down to grant writing tips that will help you move the needle by defining which tips are true and valid and which tips are false.
Tip #1: It is against the GPA Code of Ethics for grant professionals to be compensated based on a percentage of the grant if won.
This tip is TRUE. Many nonprofit leaders, especially those who are new to the world of grant writing, may think a good way to be financially conservative is to hire a grant writer and pay them on a contingent basis. There are so many reasons why this is a bad idea. I can share more in a future article if there is interest.
The bottom line is that it's against the Grant Professionals Association's Code of Ethics.
Tip #2: It is impossible for a nonprofit that has not had their letter of determination for at least two years to win grants.
This tip is FALSE. It will take some additional strategy, but it is definitely not impossible. We have mastered how to overcome this common issue. Chat with us to learn more about the workaround.
Tip #3: We won the grant and are so excited. The hard part of writing the grant is behind us.
This tip is FALSE. Now, the work of keeping a grant begins. This work is rooted in grant management, relationship building, and stewardship. There is a way you can write a grant to set your organization up for success during the grant writing phase. Let us know if you need help figuring this out - contact us.
-Shavonn
Need help? Schedule a complimentary consultation today: www.thinkandinkgrants.com.
About Shavonn V. Richardson, MBA, GPC
Shavonn is the Founder and CEO of Think and Ink Grant Consulting. As a former nonprofit leader and grantmaker, Shavonn has over 20 years of experience delivering practical, real-world advice to nonprofit leaders nationwide. Shavonn earned the GPC (Grant Professional Certified) credential from the Grant Professionals Certification Institute in 2020 and is a Grant Professionals Association Approved Trainer. Shavonn also serves as President of the Grant Professionals Association.
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Get.Grants.Better.® provides grant writing training and discounted services to underserved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with budgets of less than $3 million. Adapted from our traditional client offering Think and Ink Grants® (www.thinkandinkgrants.com), Get.Grants.Better.® is designed to meet the unique needs (and budgets) of emerging nonprofit organizations. If you are an emerging nonprofit organization, sign up for our Get.Grants.Better.® Grant Writing Training and discounted services here.