Your Grant Funding Plan for 2011
As a grant writer, it's very important that you get in the habit of planning your year ahead. I find it helpful to have a grants calendar that has my anticipated grant application projects divided by the month.
On the calendar, have a column dedicated to due dates, grant funder contact information, any comments relating to the application, dates for when the decision of approved or denied is received, the grant amount and when it is received and report dates to the funding institution. This is what I find works for me and my clients. Feel free to customize so that the information best fits what you need to track.
Whether you work for an organization as a grant writer or on a consulting basis, all nonprofits like to see what you've planned ahead. To prevent possible communication breakdown between you, the grant writer, and the folks who financially support (pay!) you, present your grants calendar in January and update as needed – usually monthly will suffice.
As you know, 2011 is right around the corner. Now would be a great time to plan your exciting, “fund”-filled year ahead!
