Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Strategic Grant Writing Guide

Strategic GrantWriting Guide
Writing a grant proposal may be overwhelming to you. On Average, a grant is an 8-page pitch, as a consequence writing something that long is not simple at all. This is made even more challenging by the fact that you have to craft it in a very convincing manner so that the funder will grant you the significantly needed funds. If you are a novice in fundraising, you may perhaps find the next grant writing tips beneficial to you.

1.            Do a little research

Maybe you are a capable writer. It does not necessarily mean that you already know all the vital facts and details needed to convince a potential funder. There are different avenues to obtaining some of this information search the internet, perform surveys, or read in libraries. By far, the best source of information would be to find and utilize a grant research database to gather the information and statistics that you may use to be a success in your endeavor. There are occasions that you may be forced while searching for funding institutions to customize your proposals because the facts don’t support your claims.

2.            Adhere to the grant proposal guidelines

This is very easy and obvious, but the truth is there are lots of applications being rejected simply because they did not go by the instructions and did not meet the deadlines. Knowing this should help you to gain knowledge of from others’ mistakes and make sure that the particulars of the process are apparent. If possible, obtain a copy of the steps you need to do and their schedule. Otherwise, design one from scratch. It will help keep on track if you are complying with it perfectly.

3.            Maintain organization

Craft an outline of your proposal. If there is something that will mislead or confuse you in grant writing, it is best that you keep your angle concentrated on the outline. After you have prepared your diagram on how grant proposal will go, it will be easier for you to incorporate other things. Focus on your goals and keep a copy of your grant in hand.

4.            Include a detailed solution and not just the problem

Keep in mind that proposals are intended to solve problems. If a proposal only talks about the problem, then you will not be able to acquire the funds that you are requesting. Don’t just include a long statement of the problem with a short hazy solution. To be able to influence the funders and evoke action, make reviewers feel the pressure of how the future of your organization and the impact it makes depends on their help.
These are just some of the insightful tips in writing grant proposals. If you ask professional grantwriters, they would agree.


Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Grant Writing Tips: Creating a Concrete Grant Proposal

GrantWriting Tips: Creating a Concrete Grant Proposal

Masterfully presenting the goals is one of the most important aspects in writing a grant proposal. Goals will help the funders determine what your present situation is and where you intend to stand after you obtain the funds. There are some guidelines that can support you in determining your goals. These guidelines will assist you in crafting productive and realistic goals.

Projects Must Align with the Group’s Mission and Vision

This might sound simple, but in reality, there are tons of grant writers that tend to neglecting this. There are a number of grant proposal writers that try to convince the funder by bending the words. It is best to find funder that want to help you with your projects because they wish to fully support activities that display their organizational mission and vision.

Make Long and Short Term Goals

In determining the organization’s goals you ought to look at them in terms of now and the future. Always focus on the partnership that the funder can give you not only for today but in the future as well. Funders would want to see how their funds can help you today and in the future years. If your organization is about adult literacy, you may include short term goals such as boosting program membership.

Your Goals Must be related to your Needs

Your goals and your needs should be related. If you need funds to purchase new books for the program then your goals have to reflect the effect of those books.

Who Can Benefit from this?

This is one of  the main returning topics ingrants. Funders desire to grasp who will benefit from the funds. It is best if you can incorporate in your grant proposals the number of people who will benefit from it and those who will be affected indirectly also. If only a few people will benefit from your proposal, you might not be able to get the funds that you need.

Communicate your Goals in a Positive Way

In fact, the most fundamental factor is to present your goals in a positive manner. If you were not able to present it in a positive way then the funder will not look at it as worth their money. Keep in mind that presenting your goals is the best way to prove to the funder that your organization is worth the grant. Just make sure that you will present honestly and accurately.


Grant Writing Tips: Creating a Concrete Grant Proposal

Grant Writing Tips: Creating a Concrete Grant ProposalMasterfully presenting the goals is one of the most imp ... http://p.ost.im/Ran9Vn

Friday, November 22, 2013

Write a Grant to Get the Funds you want

You have decided that you want someone to assist you in funding your company. To start with, it might seem like a simple idea, but as you continue with your quest of finding funders and understanding the requirements of writing a proposal for a grant, you will realize that the idea is not simple at all due to the exceedingly tough and complex competition that is going on.  Also, you are not the only one who needs a grant. Here are the steps to writing a grant proposal:

1.            Clarify your needs
Make sure that you include all that you need on your list. This is the best way to determine precisely how much you need to apply for. Remember that this is a vital segment of the process since it will be the possible funder’s basis in evaluating how you will manage your funds. The best thing to do is to become as thrifty as you can. Learn to allot priority to the greatest needs of the organization.

2.            Look for matching prospects
Pursue as many potential funders as you can and verify their guidelines. You need to customize your applications for grants that you will write if you really want to get the results. If you think that your organization and the feasible funder are a great match, you should have all the means to prove for the funding. If the amount doesn’t match, learn how to break down your needs in case it does not match up with the fund that you applied for.

3.            Gather your evidence and statistics
Your grant application will be more credible if you present the right facts and figures. Writing a grant proposal without this information is a waste of time. Funders are very meticulous about the organizations they are going to finance not only in words but in numbers as well. Providing the accurate information will absolutely help you get the funds that you need.

4.            Write your proposal professionally
The writing of a proposal should consist of 50% writing and 50% scientific research. If you are definite that you have all the data that you need to satisfy your potential funders and you are following the guidelines that they have set, then the possibility of getting the funds that you need is very high.

5.            Follow up

Finally, you can show your excitement by asking them for the next step. If your grant has been accepted to the next step, be alert for any extra instructions and make sure that you forward all the needed documents on time.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Guide on How to Write a Grant Proposal Efficiently

A grant proposal is written to fund numerous types of need. There are grants for social problems such as education, poverty, homelessness, and AIDS prevention. There are certain grant that fund family, research and children. Organizations such as private foundations, philanthropists, corporations, government agencies and religious organizations are the most widespread funding organizations. These funders are enthusiastic about providing fiscal assistance to projects that are aligned with their goals and objective. This makes the selection process loose and open-minded.

Each funding establishment has its particular guidelines that applicants should bear in mind. These funding institutions only offer their funding to those who meet their requirements and guidelines. Therefore, it is also important to comply with their conditions to acquire the funds that you want.

All of these require a process, skills and awareness that will meet the set guidelines in applying. Grant writing is the greatest way to aid these organizations in molding their goals. It is the best tool that the applicant can use to state their influence descriptively as well as their need for funds. It presents a hopeful program to sway potential funding institutions to present support for their projects. There are factors that can affect your application for grant.


Preparation

The most significant measure in writing a grant proposal is preparation. Appropriately conceptualized thoughts will produce a well-designed solid program development. It is extraordinarily helpful in building goals and demonstrating possible, attainable outcomes. In planning, the following should be well thought-out:

·               Specific and obvious objectives
·               Clear illustration of the key to the problem
·               Community’s requirement

Locating the Promising Funding Sources

Probing for possible funding sources needs time. Accordingly, the subsequent should be well thought-out when applying for a grant.

·               Grants that are supported by a particular program goal
·               Eligibility requirements
·               Required guidelines
·               Funder’s priorities
·               Funder’s goals
·               Given timeframe

Forwarding an Intent Letter

A grant writingblueprint provides the most ideal method for crafting a letter of intent.  With the application of this letter, the applicant can present the funder a summarized overview of the plan. This piece should incorporate the subsequent:

·               Credentials
·               Project description
·               Outcome
·               Summary statement
·               Statement of necessity
·               Budget
·               Organizational qualifications
·               Closing

Organizing a Financial plan


Budget is one factor that is being measured by funding organizations. These organizations will check on the declared cost and will substantiate the specified cause. In presenting the budget, the applicant should be able to detail the essential funds and present an explanation on each outlay.

Friday, November 15, 2013

Grant Writing Process: Step by Step

It is very challenging to become a grantwriter because of the process of writing a grant. How a grant proposal is written can make or break one’s chance of finding companies who can give the funds that he needs. This is because there are several people and organizations that are competing to get an endowment.

However, a person who undeniably wants grant help and is very serious about getting that funding must do everything it takes to win. There are a few steps that he needs to take to become successful.

The first step that a person in charge must do is to identify the things that he needs. The funders will surely be very interested where all that money will be allocated. Therefore, the one who is asking for funds must list down where every single dollar will go. He must learn how to prioritize depending on the needs of the organization. Doing so will let the prospective funders know how well the person plans to manage these resources.

The second step is to conduct a research about the companies that offer grants. This simple step will let the person in charge learn more about the different companies as well as the guidelines and requirements that are in place. He will also be exposed to the vision, goals and objectives of the companies. This is also a perfect way to see if his project is included in the list of projects that are supported.

The third step is to collect statistics and figures to support his proposal and advocacy. This will certainly show the funders how serious the applicant is with the project.

The fourth step is to write the grant proposal. This should be done right after the facts are gathered and the things that he wanted to say are thought of. This is the part where the person in charge uses his grant writing skills to convince the prospective funder to help him. He can write about what is lacking in the organization and how the help of benefactors will be greatly appreciated and used the right way. The best thing to do is to convince the benefactor how his funds will keep the organization’s advocacy alive.


The final step is to thank every grant organization where the person in-charge has sent grant applications to. It is highly recommended to say “thank you” whether one has been approved for a grant or not.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Becoming a Grant Writer: Counting the Ways

Successful grant writers have the best attitude, thus making them winners in their chosen craft. Aside from the attitude, individuals who chose to venture in the world of grant writing to pay their bills must have some critical attributes to compose the best grant proposals.


Listed below are five important things that must be considered by a person who wants to work from the comfort of home by writing grants.

The first essential thing that the reader of the grant proposal must see is purpose. The reader must be able to know right away if the one applying is seeking financial or non-financial support. The best guide in writing a grant application is the advocacy of the person that can make him stand out from all the other people.

The second important thing is to seek inspiration. The writer must be able to personally see the need for financial aid. The reader must be enlightened and at the same time be passionate about the cause of the person in need. Funding will surely be received when this happens.

Another thing that the individual writing a grant proposal must keep in mind is to keep each proposal unique. This simply means that the writer should come up with something that other grant proposals do not have. Being positive and creative at the same time is essential because doing so sets the proposal and the cause apart from those of other potential candidates.

An attitude that a writer must have is persistence. This is because it takes time for a person to perfect this craft. There will always be some problems with the first output. The results will not always be what the writer expected. All that he needs to do is to be more patient and persistent with the upcoming grant proposals. He should also learn to accept rejection in order to master the craft.


And of course, one more important attitude that a writer must have is dedication.  It is never easy to write grant proposals mostly because the writer will be under time pressure to meet the deadline. The writer must also be open to revisions because there are clients who may not be satisfied with what he has written. Writinggrant proposals can be stressful and frustrating especially for new writers, but anyone will notice that as more proposals are written, the easier it is to write even more.  

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Application for Grant: Secrets to Success

Most non-profit organizations oftentimes rely on grant organizations or those companies that give financial assistance so that the former’s programs are successfully implemented. The truth is there are several thousands of dollars that are available for funding purposes every year. The only challenge for a person who administers a non-profit organization is to find the perfect funding program for his project.  

Oftentimes, the person behind a non-profit organization chooses to hire a person who professionally writes grant applications for them to successfully get a grant. There are five techniques that a writer applies to pass a grant application process.

The first secret is to come up with an extraordinary project. This basically means that the person should devise a project that investors will see as worthy of funding. The project must be beneficial to the community. A big project can also be inclusive of smaller projects that require smaller budgets. These smaller projects can be more attractive to those who offer grants.

The second secret is to get to know the grant organization. A person who wants to receive funding from a specific investor must know the latter’s requirements, as well as its goals and objectives. Some of these investors also list down the different types of projects that they support. It is highly recommended to apply to companies that see a particular project as relevant.

The third secret is to read the guidelines of the company that offers funding. Grant applicants must be able to follow these guidelines to get full support.

The fourth secret is writing individualized grant applications for different companies. This is mainly because different companies have different visions, objectives and goals, as well as guidelines and requirements. The application must be written according to the criteria set by the companies. However, it is important to stick to the goals and objectives of the project while preparing the application letters.    

The final secret is to present the budget. It is essential to let the investors know the exact amount that will be needed to fund the project. The person in charge should never overestimate to avoid other people’s scrutiny over the amount of money spent on a particular project.

Funding grant is a big deal for several company owners who want to provide for non-profit organizations because they want to see real value for money. The person in charge should also come up with a comprehensive business plan to support the application to show professionalism.    


Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Grant Search for a Small Business

People who plan to start a small business will want to find programs that can assist them financially. Acquiring a businessgrant is the best option in funding start-up businesses because of two reasons. First of all, a grant will be able to help a small business to qualify for traditional bank loans. Another reason is the mere fact that the business owners do not need to pay off the funds provided by the grants.

There are four places where an individual who is starting a small business can find a grant.

The first place to seek a grant for a small business is the website of the CFDA or the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. Present in the site is a list of federal programs, both financial and non-financial, that are available. The main goal of the CFDA website is to help every business owner in identifying the program that will fit the needs of the small business. The site also helps business owners in communicating with both the federal and the local governments.

Another website that people starting small businesses should visit is Grants.gov which basically allows business owners to have access to different agencies that offer business grants. There are currently twenty-six agencies with more than a thousand programs that are available.

The third place is a company called the Small Business Administration. The best thing about this organization is that it aims to protect both the rights and interests of small businesses. Aside from fund assistance, this company also offers counseling to small business owners. The Small Business Administration has also partnered with different public and private organizations that can help both starting and growing small businesses.

The final place that small business owners can find business grants is a company called the Small Business Investment which has a partnership with both private investors and the federal government. This company has been around since 1958 and has assisted more than ninety thousand small businesses.


A grant finder must keep in mind that even though there are several institutions that are willing to provide grants for small businesses, there are still things that he must have ready before applying to one. The most important aspect that can make or break an offered grant is a comprehensive business plan. The people who will review one’s application for a business grant want to know both short and long term plans for the business. And of course, these people will also want to identify the marketability and profitability of the small business.                

Friday, November 8, 2013

Grant Writing Skills: The Art of Persuasion

Every day, a grant writer is faced with the challenge of persuading those potential companies to fund for their clients project or program. But what makes a funder say yes to requests? It’s because someone has convinced them that the idea serves a purpose and it’s the right solution for the problem but it needs a funding grant. Its persuasion which many consider as the secret to writing grant proposals that win. Persuasion is not only an art but one of the most important grant writing skills, though we must not overlook the basic aptitude of a writer on good grammar, correct punctuation and accurate spelling.

Aside from strengthening your persuasion attempts, a grant writer should develop and harness his skills in writing, storytelling and consultation. To be successful, you should be able to think entrepreneurially and you should be able to identify the association’s needs and use your skills in meeting it. Write a strategic and thoughtful publication that builds reputation. Researching about your funder, the community and funding source trends for new opportunities.

Now a grant writer’s work does not solely depend on writing itself. Sometimes your speaking skills are required for a convincing presentation. Remember, your ability in speaking and interacting will come into play numerous times throughout the grant application process. Grant writing skills also require you to be resilient when taking rejections. You will learn to overcome negative responses to a project idea and shift without losing your set sense of purpose.

Another factor you may consider to get a grant is storytelling where you provide the potential donor a glimpse of the whole picture and the possible consequences should they decide to approve the grant. Make the funder visualize the idea of how you can improve the conditions of the community, what are the positive results of your project, and why they should be very immediate in answering to your client’s needs. Remind them of the consequences if they rejected it. Make it creative, important, convincing and direct but still keep pressing how serious you are about results.
Those mentioned tips for grant writing are constructive tools that can help you to pull off that winning grant proposal but the most crucial factor to consider is still you—your confidence, passion and how much you care about your idea. It’s all you. Of course, excellent writing skill is an asset to become successful, highlighting the genuine strength of your proposal to create outcomes and ideas that are in the best interest of all parties involved. In reality, however small the opportunity for success is, the way in which you negotiate through your proposal will determine whether you are able to take advantage of that chance.


Thursday, November 7, 2013

The Potential Grant Writer Salary

Grant writers may be paid employees, compensated on an hourly rate or paid a flat or project fee. To be able to know the potential grant writer salary, we must first understand the specific amount of work that needs to be done. Many companies choose to hire a freelance grant writer to create high quality business grants that have a good chance to be accepted by donors. They usually charge an hourly income and they practically always earn more than full timers.

Grantwriter fees vary because of a lot of factors: the writer’s level of expertise, specialization, types of donors sought, clients, area of operation, and whether the writer is a full time employee or a freelancer. It depends on the number of his accepted projects each year, on his type of writing whether he is a specialist or a generalist and of course the geographic location. Here are the payment methods commonly accepted by the marketplace:

    1.   Hourly Rate: An average rate for a competent grant writer is between $40 and $80. Though the experience and track record of each grant writer is connected to their grant writing fees, some charge $100 per hour or more while some less established writers charge between $25 and $50 per hour.

    2.   By project: This method depends on the length and complexity of the grant document. Fees can range from $1,000 to $10,000 after a thorough assessment of the full range and scope of the job. However, it still depends on the grant writer to decide on the rates based on sourced grants.


    3.   Per Diem/per day: Full time writers employed in a grant consulting firm offer their services per day. They charge a standard daily rate from $500 to $2,000. Typical rates in the US are $1,250 per diem.

    4.   By commission: In this arrangement, the salary is based on a certain percentage agreed from the grant that is awarded. So the potential income is tied to the success of securing the grant and may be between 1% and 5% of the total grant given.
The last item draws us from our next question and the most debatable topic around the grant writing business industry. Should a grant writer be paid a percentage of the approved grant? This is called the contingency pay. The American Fundraising Associations have a policy against it, and similarly some feel it is unethical and declared it as an unacceptable practice. They even revoke memberships if they found out that their members accepted pay from grants received.

Grant writers are professionals whose expertise you seek to increase grants for your organization’s profit, to increase the number of strong relationships with donors and increase the potential success of your projects and programs so do them a favor: pay them for their work. The grant donor expects you to use their donation for what they pay for which does not include your overhead charges. As for both parties, it is always wise to have a written or contract so that both of you have evidence of the agreement, whatever type of payment is agreed upon.

Conversely, bear in mind that there is a significant relationship between the grant writer’s skills and the organization. The funder wants to see if you are really worthy of their donations or funds. So if the company mismanages its assets, it’s not the fault of the writer but of the organization and not because the writer fails to execute what he was paid to do.


Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Tips on writing a grant proposal

A grant proposal is a document of persuasion. With all the information readily available online, writing a proposal could be daunting and a bit overwhelming. When confusion sets in, we could always follow guidelines on constructing effective grantproposals. Knowing the main elements of writing a grant proposal and what information should be included can bring in money and even goods and services depending on the kind of program you wish to be funded.

Before writing a grant, you should first gather and organize your ideas. Your researches here are useful sources which must include the funder’s current guideline, profile, contact information and funding criteria so you will know what to expect and how to approach your potential donor. Coming up with an outline saves time and serves as a guide to help you know what to write and how you will write it.

The whole proposal should be simple and straightforward. Short words are your best buddies; eliminate jargon and use language that anyone can understand so you won’t sound exaggerated.

The first part in writing grant applications is the proposal summary. It should include a brief statement of how the project will be implemented with its expected results and budgets along with the timeline. Now don’t forget about the amount of your request and remember to be precise and honest.

Next is the statement of problem or need. In this part you have to address and explain problems with the outline of current resources that address them. Spot gaps in those resources and then make them see how your proposal could fill in those gaps. Subsequently, project your goals and objectives by identifying the specific goals you are trying to achieve and ways to reach them. Afterwards, plot your methodology by describing the actions you will take to achieve your said goals as well as when and where the actions will take place. Then explain and evaluate on how you will achieve your goals and lay down measures to be taken to evaluate your progress along with any records and information that you will use for evaluation.

The last part is where you indicate your budget including the amount of money you are requesting, calculations for specific items and the timeline during which funds will be used. Also attach a list of your expected expenses and incomes.

Stick to the main points, and present your ideas as concisely as possible. No matter how long or complex your proposal is, it won’t affect the amount of money you will receive. It’s always the short and straightforward that wins them over.


After writing, reread, edit and clarify. Go back to your draft and correct or improve if you think it falls short. Some writers, even those academic ones, always recommend reading one’s work out loud to someone so you can eventually perceive whether or not it conveys the message you want to say. Now that you know the basic grant writing guide, go on and let your creative juices flow because you’ve got work to do and a grant you will soon award to that lucky client.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Mapping the Battleground: Grant Writing Basics

Grant writing is a craft that can be harnessed and mastered although there are no sets of procedures for becoming an effective grant writer. However there are basic rules that can be applied.

To understand the nitty-gritty of writing grant proposals, let us look at the tools of the trade for winning the funding. First, there’s the usual prospecting and approaching the donors. There’s the grant proposals, a personal visit, a telephone call and there’s the traditional e-mail or fax, though the most common among them is writing a grant proposal. A grant proposal’s format is different from that of a newspaper article or an academic paper for it should be written with strong persuasion skills. It’s like an umbilical cord connecting the potential funder and the grant writer, so learning how to create a persuasive, well-written and clear proposal can bring in that grant award to you and your organization however stiff the competition may be. Consider your time, researching, concentration and your team effort in doing so. Remember, grants are reviewed by people who are experts in the field.

Secondly research on your funders. You should know where to look for potential grants. Look for their current guidelines from their profiles, contact information and funding criteria which may change frequently which is now possible since information are now widely available online. Now that you’ve researched and you have that persuasive skill flowing, you may now develop that general proposal and budget.

Funders always have a question in their mind of what’s in it for them because they want to know how your project will help them meet their goals and how it could add value to the community. Clearly state in your proposal the main objectives, providing them a visualization of the project’s importance and the positive impact on the society if they grant your proposal and what it would look if not. Identifying a problem to them and then pressing on your solution with supporting methods and designs of data accumulated through research also state how you will sustain your project even after the funding period ends. In doing so, you are giving them an organized outline of how you are serious about the results. Your goal is to convince the funder that the project solves the societal problem you stated and he should be completely interested in supporting it.

Now here comes the complicated part of the grant application process. Funders know what they are doing and they always wants to make sure if you also recognize your responsibility so laying a blunt budget to them will be detrimental to your image and cause you to lose that chance of grants. Make a detailed budget which includes all your needs for which you want support. Attach a short budget showing your expected expense and income from program staff, operational expenses, overhead expenses, direct project expense, administrative expense, earned income and contributed income.

Lastly, your proposal has to be convincing, important and immediate so you can score that award as soon as possible. Read it thrice or more before sending to make sure it is devoid of grammatical mistakes or typographical errors. It’s always good to make an impression through your writing skills since it’s your foundation in creating a healthy reputation. 

Monday, November 4, 2013

Absolute Beginners Guide on becoming a Grant Writer

Absolute Beginners Guide on becoming a Grant Writer

You can do it!
A lot of people think that grant writing requires a lot of effort, since it comes with skills in writing, consulting, researching, planning the program, storytelling, debunking internet marketing, budgeting and interviews. All these are essential since the grant writer serves the vital connection between the grant finder and the funder. However if you possess the desire and the dedication of mastering the craft of writing grant proposals, you can do it. So fire up that energy of yours, and let’s begin!

Before everything else, let us first describe what a grant writer is. The job of a grant writer is securing funds for business, non-profits, the government and even individuals by writing a grant proposal. Statistics show that grant writing is one of the most in-demand careers today with a hundred thousand non-profits currently in operation in the United States alone. To top it off, their income ranges from $50,000 to $300,000, though the income potential depends on a lot of factors including the clients, area operations, funders, expertise and if they are any commissions. As a general rule, although some will work for individuals on a for-hire basis, they work for organizations where there is the biggest potential for income. Success in this field depends entirely on you. Thus, a professional grant writer should possess the following skills:

  1.   Be adaptable and flexible – It’s the ability to shift directions based on the applicant, needs of the community and the funder.

  2.   Set a goal to stay motivated so you have something to aim for – It’s like “I will double my annual income within the next three years.”

  3.   Surf the web frequently for special opportunities not only for you but also for your clients and employer. Being internet savvy is a must in this field; be keen in selecting and identifying appropriate potential donors online.

  4.   Obviously you need to be able to write and speak but what matters here is a good writing skill to be able to build reputations.

  5.   An administrative skill is needed to ensure the grant application process is handled properly from calling a prospective funder to billing your client.

  6.   Confidence is the key to convincing your funder for that grant. If you know the program and the organization well, it shows. What you don’t know and your own shortcomings should never be a problem to you. Don’t be embarrassed. Admit it and maintain a sense of purpose.

  7.   Be organized and multi-task so you can manage all the required tasks and responsibilities. Keep track of grant application deadlines and follow up. Also keep track of the trends in the field so you can be aware of the changes in priorities of the funding institution and new sources for funding that have just come out.