Three G’s – there was actually a time when that stood for “three grand(!)” Which isn’t a bad amount of bucks to get in one check, and then to have that happen, let’s say, every three weeks?  Think it’s impossible- consider if you will that a modest grant in the amount of $90,000.00 would accomplish this?  Consider that grants in the amount of 15 and 20 thousand dollars for research, students, and other normal activities, aren’t rare, but are rewarded frequently from many varying sources.  Getting three of those grants in a years time wouldn’t be exceptional, and many grant writers who apply themselves to the trade receive far more funding than $90,000.00 per year.  So what’s the catch- what’s the mystery that they know that you don’t- and what can you do to change where you are at to where you’d like to be? That’s what this writing is all about- a unique methodology- a unique and wonderful way to achieve that income and more, the three G’s.

Three G’s

GET

Get can mean lots of things, it means to put yourself into such a sphere that you can receive; you can’t get it if you aren’t ready to get it.  So let’s talk about some easy steps to being ready to get the money.  The first step is a bank account for the purpose of getting the money.  This may sound very basic, but you don’t want to mix business and personal accounts.  You will need a separate account.  My suggestion is to talk with your banker about a free form of this, which can be as simple as an additional account line in your checking system until the money actually begins to come in, at which time your banker will have some ideas about how best to handle large sum deposits.  You will need an electronic transaction number, though, for those who will want to deposit the funds to your account in this manner.

The second step to get has to do with get the facts, get the story straight, get your own understanding “clear” as  Dr. Vitale would say; for in knowing all the steps of your program and what is needed, comes the meaning which the person to award the funds will want to know.  It is that simple, but you would be amazed at how many grant submissions it’s been my pleasure to review, being able to see how they had strayed from this central focus- when you can spot that ahead of submission and assist the grant writer in correcting it, it does increase the odds significantly that they will receive funding.  This is not necessarily peer review, but rather, assistance from someone detached from the organization or movement which allows, as completely as possible, a true review of the central concept or idea being put forth.

We arrive thus at step three of get – the vitally important portion which is get contacts, loads and loads of contacts, people who know about what you are involved in, people who know people who are involved in the sorts of funds you are needing, and people who can make this sort of funding happen.  This is very difficult and often is called networking, this is the difference between those who get the funds and those who don’t- finally and ultimately you can have the finest and best composed manuscript, accurate in every detail, but if you lack the social push to make those with the funds aware of it, you lose the edge in obtaining the cash.  Doesn’t it make sense, therefore, to consider employing someone who already has such a network and can devote their time to serving that purpose for you?

GLOW

I have read over numerous submissions that had one simple error, sometimes an accounting error, sometimes wording, sometimes the basis of the proposal itself; and each of these cases, had the author sought out help, whether from myself, or someone else who has written grants and been trained to do so; the likelihood that they would have received the funding would have increased dramatically.  Glowing is a way of making your grants need become both urgent and pressing to the reviewers and reward givers, if it seems that it can wait, why shouldn’t it?  Glowing is positioning your narrative in such a way that it brings forth a resolute sense within those who have to give the funds out that you need the money urgently.  Glowing means zero errors, accounting that matches exactly what is needed and formalized language that matches the recipient’s background. 

Grant writing that glows is not an art, it is a science, it is as much learned as it is felt, and therefore, if you are the author, seek out assistance.  My usual recommendation is to be willing to pay up front a portion of what the grant would bring in- remember, nobody should be asked to assist you for free- you wouldn’t ask a Dr. to treat your medical need for free, would you?  We don’t expect auto mechanics to cure our cars for free, do we?  So don’t expect to ask a professional to invest their time and money in your grant, which may bring in numerous thousands of dollars. for free.  On the other hand, remember that this is often a competitive mix, and so, the experience of the person you are working with must be considered and usually professionals in this field have published fee calendars that they work under.  The most important thing to remember is that if your grant submission glows it is worth whatever it might cost.

GROW 

The classic errors are the ones that aren’t forgotten from experience, we’ve all made them, and continue to make them, it is what makes us, professionals to the end!  What separates the recipient from the hopeful in this endeavor is the ability to maintain records, form databases, continue mail outs, and retain contacts in an active fashion.  Grow is a term which many people resent, but when the cash breaks open and your project, or series of courses, or research, is funded, then grow will come to mean something entirely different to you.  One of the best ways to grow in this way, seeking funding, writing grant material, and becoming a person who can get the cash, is to make your mistakes while being mentored into the process; my mentors have certainly kept me sane during times when it didn’t seem like things would work out.  People, who have been there, know if the path makes sense, and again, they are well worth any investment necessary in order to obtain both their good will and their good advice. 

The second sense here is to grow a thick skin- it sounds easy, but often, good grants which should have been funded are turned down, next season, however, they wouldn’t be.  What often happens is that the writer of the grant gives in to the easy feeling that it didn’t get funded so it must not be what is meant to be, and nothing is further from the truth.  Frequently budgeted projects are slotted for a year ahead, and often, the grant compose wouldn’t be aware of this.  Once again, don’t choose the easy path, stay the course and retain your sense of balance in pursuing your project or agency need- it might not fund right away or from one source, but if you stay the course, work the network, seek out assistance, eventually your project may achieve funding and then the thick skinned approach will be worth it.

As we draw our time together to a close let me make a simple request to you, and let you play the role of the person who has the task of thinking about it, you play C.E.O. for a moment here and consider the three G’s.  Consider where you are right now; do you have all the grant money that you need?  Do you think given the way that things have been going, you are going to receive it, without any outside assistance?  What might happen for you if you put the three G’s to work for yourself?  Doesn’t it make sense that you can’t receive unless you get ready?  Doesn’t it add up that a glowing manuscript will create the will in the releaser of the funds that you want?  Doesn’t it make sense to develop and grow in the process, learning as you go, gaining any assistance which will assist you along the way?  The three G’s – GET- GLOW and GROW – my hope in sharing this with you is that they will come to serve you and bring joy to you in getting your needed cash.