As people like to say, money doesn't grow on trees. This is a common statement in everyday society. However, many necessary or advantageous activities in society require sponsorship, and sometimes the amounts involved are relatively large. There are people and institutions in the community who are willing to sponsor the latter, but they need to be sure that the money is going to be spent wisely. Submitting requests for funding can be made more successful through grant writing lessons.
To begin with, asking other people for money is not easy for everyone. Many people are not comfortable with the process, either because, on principle, they are averse to approaching others for money, or because they do not want to betray the fact that their organization is struggling financially. The first objection is easier to resolve, but portraying an institution as financially sound seems to negate the possibility of asking others for assistance.
Then there is also the issue of legitimacy. A request for funding is always regarded in a serious light because it implies the transfer of money to another entity. Benefactors are usually not enthusiastic about agreeing to this. They may impose stringent requirements or they may expect to receive a large amount of sensitive information. Some requests, no matter how valid, may simply be rejected as false or having no merit.
Writing requests for grant funding is therefore a process that requires proper attention and the necessary sensitivity to relevant issues. People who are not experienced in the composition of such material, or who are ignorant as to how one seeks sponsorship from other entities, may fail in their attempts to secure the money or even the interest of others. The following are a few basic guidelines in compiling grant requests.
Importantly, the integrity of the material should not be compromised. All facts, figures and statements should be 100% accurate. Asking for money on the basis of incorrect or distorted information is not only unethical but actually amounts to a crime and may lead to criminal sanction. It is not acceptable to try to re-work or interpret data to suit the request, or to insert inaccurate material.
Turning to actually copy writing, the language, style and layout should be as professional as possible. Overselling the situation or insisting that the money be provided is not polite and may even irritate the recipient to the extent that they treat the request as spam or arrogant. Think in terms of an aggressive beggar on the street. No-one appreciates their approach or gives them anything. There are government offices who receive literally hundreds of requests for funding. It is therefore important to be as polite as possible, and to stay neutral at all times.
Speaking of style, the language used should be free of any errors whatsoever, and the formatting of the documentation should be pristine. A request for money that is badly produced is going to create a negative impression or may even be investigated for fraud, as a poorly formulated application is sometimes an indication of incompetent criminal authorship. The reader may consider whether they themselves would be interested in such a request for their own money.
Not everyone is comfortable with composing serious correspondence, or handling paperwork. However, grant writing lessons can assist those who regularly need to ask for funds from others.
To begin with, asking other people for money is not easy for everyone. Many people are not comfortable with the process, either because, on principle, they are averse to approaching others for money, or because they do not want to betray the fact that their organization is struggling financially. The first objection is easier to resolve, but portraying an institution as financially sound seems to negate the possibility of asking others for assistance.
Then there is also the issue of legitimacy. A request for funding is always regarded in a serious light because it implies the transfer of money to another entity. Benefactors are usually not enthusiastic about agreeing to this. They may impose stringent requirements or they may expect to receive a large amount of sensitive information. Some requests, no matter how valid, may simply be rejected as false or having no merit.
Writing requests for grant funding is therefore a process that requires proper attention and the necessary sensitivity to relevant issues. People who are not experienced in the composition of such material, or who are ignorant as to how one seeks sponsorship from other entities, may fail in their attempts to secure the money or even the interest of others. The following are a few basic guidelines in compiling grant requests.
Importantly, the integrity of the material should not be compromised. All facts, figures and statements should be 100% accurate. Asking for money on the basis of incorrect or distorted information is not only unethical but actually amounts to a crime and may lead to criminal sanction. It is not acceptable to try to re-work or interpret data to suit the request, or to insert inaccurate material.
Turning to actually copy writing, the language, style and layout should be as professional as possible. Overselling the situation or insisting that the money be provided is not polite and may even irritate the recipient to the extent that they treat the request as spam or arrogant. Think in terms of an aggressive beggar on the street. No-one appreciates their approach or gives them anything. There are government offices who receive literally hundreds of requests for funding. It is therefore important to be as polite as possible, and to stay neutral at all times.
Speaking of style, the language used should be free of any errors whatsoever, and the formatting of the documentation should be pristine. A request for money that is badly produced is going to create a negative impression or may even be investigated for fraud, as a poorly formulated application is sometimes an indication of incompetent criminal authorship. The reader may consider whether they themselves would be interested in such a request for their own money.
Not everyone is comfortable with composing serious correspondence, or handling paperwork. However, grant writing lessons can assist those who regularly need to ask for funds from others.
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