Writing the Grant Question

Now that you have determined which idea or project might be worthy of funding, it is time to tell the world about your program. Funders look for projects that solve a problem or fulfill a need. To begin to define your project for other people answer one question:

Why is this important?

Many projects written for the arts and humanities will not be expressed as a problem with a solution. Instead of writing a grant question, write a description of your project and then describe the benefits of your project.

Some tips for describing your project:

• Describe your project in factual or human terms – use of case studies or statistics will only help your cause.
  
  
• Try to keep it local – Funders want to see the impact on the community and some give preferential consideration for local projects.
  
  
• The problem should be the same size as the solution – keep the focus narrow and do not claim to solve the entire homeless crisis by opening one computer lab.
  
  
• The absence of your project should not be the solution – you should never mention how the problem will continue to worsen if your project is not funded.

Make sure to address the following talking points:

• Needs to be addressed: Explain the extent to which the project meets the specific purpose of the source of funds.
  
  
• How the needs were determined: Describe how you determined the needs you propose to address.
  
  
• How the needs will be met: Explain how you propose to use the project to meet these needs.
  
  
• Benefits to be gained: Describe what benefits will be realized as a result of meeting the needs.

EXERCISE: On your Study Guide, use the above tips to create a one-sentence description of your project/idea.

Also on your Study Guide, create a list of three key things you would like to tell other people about your project.

Keep these items handy as you continue through the workshop.