Grantwriting 101- Lesson 2

You have hopefully done your homework on the last lesson and have a pretty good idea of some potential sites according to your goal for getting a grant. A good starting point for an individual is to go for a small grant at first. What you are doing is creating a history that will make it easier for you to get future grants. You have a general idea of your grant need, but can you write a statement about your need according to what the grantor sites have to offer?

Here are some suggestions for writing your statement of need.

1) Go back on the web site that seems to offer something similar to what you are seeking. Most grantors offer very good information on how to request their specific grants. See if you can find their requirements.

2) Next, look at the "Grants Awarded" for the past season with a particular grantor. Generally the Grants Awarded are listed somewhere on the site, and if they have a search button, try that.

3) Now get your notebook out and write a statement of YOUR reason wanting your grant (don't worry about the $ amount yet). Just write your statement.

Here are some general guidelines.

1) Be specific. Avoid vague statements such as: "I am hoping to get a grant so that I can grow my art." Better: "As a practicing artist suffering from MS for 6 years, I want to document the healing effects for artists with MS who work in fiberarts. My documentation is based on my own experience and that of 5 other fiberartists with MS I have identified in my own area. I intend to document the artists' experiences with their illnesses prior to taking up fiberarts, and their progress with their illnesses as they have worked with fiberarts. All of the 5 fiberartists have been making art for more than 3 years.

"I will also document the methods used by each fiberartist to enable her to produce despite the MS.

"My ultimate goal is to produce a 20 - 30 page booklet that could be distributed to organizations that treat MS and to independent living centers that house persons with MS." This is a relatively short and to-the-point statement. It lays out your goal, your own history in a nutshell, and a summary of the general method you will use to complete your project. It identifies an end result of the project that could be used to further benefit others. Not all of the statements have to be this lofty. Start from your own personal experience base. What in your particular background brings you to want to do this specific project? What methods will you use for your project? What is your anticipated outcome?

I know an artist who gets individual grants to paint murals at various elementary and high schools. The grants cover the cost of his paint and his time on the job teaching the students how to paint murals. The mural painting enriches the artistic experiences of the children and teenagers who participate and the finished product benefits the school and the students by providing a visibility of their talent to the public. It also provides a sense of community in a diverse cultural population.

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