Grant and Residency Proposals
Before you start writing, consider these best practices. Both will strengthen your proposal and make the whole application process go more smoothly.
1. Research the opportunity to make sure it’s a good fit.
– Read the guidelines thoroughly (and follow them exactly)
– Look further into the organization’s mission, priorities, and history
– See what past recipients have done
– Talk with the program officer
– Get insight from the Career Center
Try to pursue opportunities that match what you want to do, but you can also adjust your goals slightly to match the funders’ mission.
2. Plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time to draft, revise, and jump through hoops..
– Make sure your materials (resume, cover letter, images, work descriptions, project narratives, artist statements, budgets, etc.) are up to date and ready to be adapted for each new opportunity.
– Note deadlines and plan your process, from research to submission.
– Ask for recommendation letters far in advance. Give them information about your proposal, the opportunity, and anything you’d like them to focus on — plus ample time to prepare, write, and submit.
6 Elements of a Successful Project Narrative
When you’re ready to write, remember that a project narrative should demonstrate the qualities outlined in the ISAFES acronym. Some will be expressed explicitly (saying it literally in words), while others will be expressed implicitly (demonstrated, but not stated).
Investment — passion and commitment, clarity of purpose; depth of research
Specificity — describe project clearly and compellingly; include sketches if relevant
Alignment — mirror the funders’ goals, mission, and instructions
Feasibility — achievable in the timeframe and aptly budgeted
Experience — your plan follows and builds on past experience and work
Significance — the project matters to the field and the world; outcomes stated
Strong Grant Proposal Outline
It also helps to have a strong outline, like the following order of content. Depending on the scope of the project, the prompts given, and maximum word limits, each point might be anywhere from a sentence to multiple paragraphs. This is a generally successful order for the five parts, but you might try a few arrangements and see what suits your project best.
Enticing introduction — get the reader interested; reveal your project/goal
Practical overview — describe the project in terms of ideas and purpose
Paragraph of context around the topic — what’s involved, what’s at stake; include research
Chronological breakdown of the plan — make it clear and show its feasibility
Conclusion that points to greater significance — to you, the granters, the field, etc.