It’s a well-accepted best practice that the development of grant proposals should be well coordinated with the administrative, financial, human resources, and programmatic functions of the organization. Since each of these functions require specialized expertise and knowledge, involving them in developing grant proposals helps guard against mistakes and misrepresentations.
“Communication between people who serve different functions within the organization is a well-known challenge,” said Barbara Floersch of The Grantsmanship Center in Los Angeles, Calif. “When the specialists convene, each brings a set of expectations, rules, regulations, and jargon to the table.”
To work most effectively, Floersch suggested that grant professionals read the written policies and procedures that guide the various functions of the organization. It’s important to be well informed of the constraints within which each staff member works. Understanding policies and procedures enables you to participate more fully in discussions related to specialized areas such as budgeting, hiring, purchasing, and volunteer screening. It helps you interpret jargon, appreciate concerns, and build a fully functional grant development team.
“Grant professionals know they need a firm understanding of the organization’s constituents, services, data, accomplishments, and strategic plan,” said Floersch. “But the need to understand the organization’s policies and procedures is often overlooked.”
When you understand the rules and constraints of the various arenas within your organization, you’ll be more effective at pulling the parts and pieces together and facilitating the development of accurate, competitive grant proposals that meet your organization’s requirements. © Copyright 2018 The Grantsmanship Center.
