Grant writing really is a process. Well, to be more specific, I should say that good grant writing is a process. Sometimes we have to condense the process a bit because of time limitations, but the process is still there….and it’s still important.

Sometimes I’ll work with people – usually new clients – who want to skip the process and have us just take a few ideas from them and make up the rest. The problem is that not only is that not very ethical, but we’ve been doing this a long time, and we know what works.

We talk about need first, and how we can document that need. Then we talk about research, and how best to meet those identified needs. We talk about input from constituents, and demonstration of collaborative support, and personnel, and management, and budget…..and we discuss it in a particular order because we know how the grant development conversation flows best.

I hate it when people tell me to “trust the process.” It usually means that they don’t want me to think, or question, and I always have to think and question. It’s my nature. But when it comes to grant writing, and working with a professional grant writing, my best advice for you is….trust the process.