How do you write a grant for a Christian foundation?
Not long ago, I had a Christian organization submit a grant request to our foundation. It was a long, long narrative about their grand vison and how they were going to change the world through their ministry. They were going to reach everyone from children to seniors and they were going to accomplish this ministry from around the world. From a writing perspective, it was one long paragraph, and one long run on sentence. When they didn't get the grant, they were upset. They reasoned, "hey, we are a Christian organization and you are a Christian foundation--how could you not give us a grant?"
The answer is simple. To write a grant for a Christian foundation takes some skill. Most Christian foundations have at least some basic guidelines. Follow those guidelines exactly. Let me repeat that. Follow those guidelines exactly. If a foundation asks for a 3 page letter, write a 3 page letter--not 3 and 1/2 pages. It's amazing to me how many ministries think they can stretch the guidelines because they are a Christian ministry. The guidelines are there if nothing else to give a basic guideline on proposals that can be eliminated. If you don't follow the rules, don't expect a grant.
Once you get past the guidelines, keep in mind that writing style matters. Brief is best. Understandable is a necessity. Pick up a basic book like Strunk & White's Elements of Style and follow those guidelines. Short sentences with clear points make all the difference. The basic elements of a grant focus on (1) identifying a particular need, (2) how your ministry will meet that need, (3) what steps your ministry will take to meet that need, and (4) what it will cost. The other elements like background of your ministry, previous history, future plans are all pieces of the puzzle but the "meat on the bones" belongs to the four elements above.
If writing is not your thing, hire a grantwriter. It's an investment worth making. The American Association of Grant Professionals provides one source of finding grantwriters. A good grantwriter will know where to apply, assess your ministry's chances of receiving a particular grant, and write the grant accordingly. Often in ministry we want to do everything ourselves, but this is an age of specialization and grantwriting is no exception.
If you think you've got what it takes to write a grant, then consider taking a grantwriting course. There are many of them available. One focused on relationships and grantwriting is found at www.artfulaskers.com.
With these basics, write away.
--William F. High