Pecha Kucha – Grant Process Thoughts

Background B.A. American Studies M.A. American History and

History Administration

Career Valentine Museum Concord Museum Lexington Historical Society 20+ years of consulting

Favorite Grant Ever: @ $500,000 for Sandwich Glass Museum…1993, I think?

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Begin Well

Create a team

Do great research

Make time and space to write

Use drafts and reviewers to help get it right

Submit early

Expect glitches

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Focus on Meaning

A deadline is not a reason for a proposal

Neither is, “They got one, so should we.”

Instead: Solve a problem Make a difference Do it really, really

well

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This is a Team Sport

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Logic Models are Your Friend

So are Budgets

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How much do you ask for?

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Become a Data Hound

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Read the Guidelines

Seriously – read and re-read them. Your mind will bend them to your will without you realizing.

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How to Make Writing Happen

Prime the pump

Make space

Hole-y drafts

Step away from the desk…

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A Writer’s Life is not Just

Fraud Syndrome; Paralyzing Fear

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Words, Words, Words

The right ones matter

In the right order

Your favorite words might not matter

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Label-writing philosophy applies

Try explaining it in the shower

Really avoid jargon

Be specific: “This will be a very

impactful project” “In order to…”; just use

“to” “Research shows”

Be as clear and direct as possible

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How to Become a Better Writer

Read from the field

Read others’ proposals

Read writing books

Read well-written books on anything

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Online Proposals

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Three-Glitch Rule

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Expect glitches

I relax a bit after three: Something with the computer Someone forgot to write the

abstract A form or support document is

outdated and must be redone

How to Get it in on Time

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Each one matters, but there will always be another

Practice is necessary

You’ll keep learning your whole career

Hedge your bets by repurposing your material

Each proposal is part of a mosaic of fundraising

Remember:

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Make Time to Create Great Files

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Celebrate!

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