LeadForward Vol.1 No. 3

future. If you learn to speak that language fluently, you will not only get funded — you will change lives. Now I have retired from my professorship, but am far from idle. I teach others the seven critical steps I believe are essential to success in grant writing. Whether you're in a grassroots nonprofit, an academic research unit, or a start-up with a dream,

Grant Writing

these steps form what I call the “Critical Path to Grant Success.”

L et me share them with you: Clarity of Purpose

Before you type a single word, know what problem you’re solving, why it matters, and who benefits. If your vision is cloudy, no funder will see it clearly. Strategic Alignment A well-written proposal to the wrong funder is a well-written rejection. Learn to research funders with precision and ensure your goals fit within theirs — not the other way around. Evidence & Story Combine data with humanity. A compelling grant speaks in both dialects — it quantifies need and qualifies hope. Project Design The bones of your grant are in your logic model, activities, timeline, and budget. If they don’t hold up under scrutiny, the whole body collapses. Design with discipline.

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