Sections of this topic
My previous posting discussed the planning and organizing processes. This time, we will address steps three and four – writing, reviewing and rewriting.
Write the first draft quickly
• Work from your notes and worksheet.
• Write heading and subheadings first and use them as a guide.
• Begin with the easiest parts of your sections. No proposal is ever written linearly, from first page to last!
• Write quickly, without concern for formatting, grammar, syntax and spelling.
Use your outline
• Focus on the funder’s hot buttons that you have identified.
• Focus on your organization’s solution.
• Validate, validate, validate! Do not make claims you cannot prove.
Use paragraphs effectively
• Limit your paragraphs to one main idea.
• Begin each paragraph with a thesis statement.
• Put the most important point first.
• Use plenty of bulleted and numbered lists.
• Put details at the middle and end of your paragraphs.
• Make sure that your paragraphs flow logically.
• Use transition sentences as your glue.
Following these steps, you should be able to produce a serviceable first draft of your grant proposal.
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Dr. Jayme Sokolow, founder and president of The Development Source, Inc.,
helps nonprofit organizations develop successful proposals to government agencies. Contact Jayme Sokolow.
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