Inspiration – how to coax the genie out of the bottle and onto the proposal pag

As I write this I’m struck by how entirely personal inspiration can be – here are some observations I’ve had in the last 15 years of grant writing.  I hope they are a bit inspiring or at least help you think about what might work for you. 

The spark – what gets your writing going?

As a grant writer I’m fortunate because most of my inspiration comes from programs I am honored to try to explain on paper.   I’m currently writing for an organization that focuses on many different aspects of social justice through its programs across the country.  That spark of believing in a program, getting excited by its stories is critical in my writing.   From that spark – a small fire of persuasive information can start and you are able to tell their story with clarity and heart. So pick your clients or focus on fundable projects in your organization that you truly believe in – your belief in the project will come out in the writing. It will also motivate you to keep going as you put together the proposal.

Set the table – making the time and space to focus

Pick a time to write and stick to it. Inspiration needs a channel so set aside the time when you are mentally at your best.  I never thought I would be a morning person (my mother really NEVER thought I would be) but like many writers I find the morning hours are best for writing and editing.  Sometimes I wonder if it’s really that first cup of coffee, but I’ll take whatever feels like inspiration. My friend Amy swears by the 4 to 6 afternoon time frame when her energy is at its peak.  Find the time that works for you and clear your schedule of meetings and other tasks to focus on your writing. 

My office space environment is sometimes part of my inspiration – or procrastination I’m never quite sure.  I have a piece of a tree that was struck by lightening, I have pictures of my family all around, quotes on my bulletin board, little zip toys, and many different types of pens and lots of erasers.  Sometimes these can be objects to focus on while my brain is working out a sentence or next thought – letting go so that the words can flow in. 

Take a break – empty your head of what you are working on for a while

We all need time to recharge our creative energy. Experiment with taking a news fast for at least a day – the wars and politics of the world will still be there – give yourself space to think about other things.  Take a walk in nature – clear your head and see the beauty of the world, realize that there is something much grander your current proposal.  Look at art in a museum – let the quiet and the great talent fill up your head for a while. 

Leave it – let your work sit for awhile (at least overnight)

Sometimes the best thing you can do to reignite your inspiration around a project is work until each section is filled or partially filled with words – then let it sit.  I usually like to let a proposal sit overnight then tackle it again in the morning.  Like certain recipes sometimes a grant gets better – the ingredients come together in your brain - by letting it ferment for a short while. 

Get on with it – force yourself to sit and write

We all know that sometimes finding inspiration comes through just doing. Sometimes when things are really not going well in writing a grant I think of  the Winston Churchill quote “When in hell, just keep going.”  Sometimes we just have to get something on a page – whether good text or not, it’s a start that you can build upon.

Edit it – get a fresh set of eyes

A good editor, someone to take a fresh look at what you’ve been reworking is sometimes the best source of inspiration.  While catching typos or incomplete thoughts a good editor can also ask questions that spark you to think about a project more deeply getting you to explain it with more enthusiasm and clearness. 

Let it go – when the proposal is out the door download the work from your brain

The wonderful thing about grant proposals is that the majority of them are time sensitive.  There is usually a deadline that you must meet.  So while you may want one more edit or chance to change something – time is up and you have to send it out.  When the proposal is gone – let it go and fret no more because it is now in the hands of the reviewers and fate.  Take some time to move all the files and information regarding this grant into a separate place.   Record the submission in whatever tracking sheet you use and give your brain and body an opportunity to regroup from the stress of getting the grant out the door.   Giving yourself even a short breather before diving into the next project will free up space in your brain to begin the process again. 

Article in the Boston Globe today about Bill and Joyce Cummings signing the "Giving Pledge" - pledging to donate at least half of their fortune. This is the same pledge signed by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett. I would like to see more of this and less "Real Housewives" useless shows of wealth.

Where do we go from here...?

Most of us in the nonprofit world are just starting to get a real glimpse at where “here” is donations are down, foundations are tightening their focus and funding, big events are not getting the return they did even last year.  Many agencies are planning for decreases in budgets from 10-20% in the coming fiscal year. We are all looking at drastically reduced resources.   The question becomes how do we deal with this new reality – or do we just let it deal with us?

In a recent article titled Four Futures, published in The Non-Profit Quarterly, Paul Light takes a look at four different ways that nonprofits may shape or be shaped by this financial crisis.  I liked his non-reactionary tone and ideas for getting innovative and connecting with the community.   There is already a growing pressure from governmental and philanthropic funding sources to increase efficiency, merge, streamline services, and prove value through more and more evaluation.  The problem with this top down pressure is that it will push out some of the most innovative and community connected organizations that are providing critically needed services.    

I don’t have the answer to the question “where do we go from here?” – but I’m hoping that articles like this one help us start that discussion.

 

How will a new Administration and Congress in Washington treat non-profits?

I’m hoping with the President elect’s background of community organizing in Chicago that he has a first hand understanding of nonprofit organizations and their value in society.   

Independent Sector has put out a 6-point policy paper for the incoming national decision makers.   It’s a comprehensive platform that advocates the following:

1.  Ensure adequate resources and fair and responsible fiscal policies to support vital programs that sustain, protect and strengthen communities.
2.  Preserve and expand policies that help Americans give back to their communities.
3. Ensure that nonprofits have the capacity and capital to serve the needs of our communities.  
4. Protect the rights of Americans to speak out through nonprofits organizations.
5. Ensure that Americans are able to continue vital charitable work throughout the world without unduly jeopardizing their safety or their civil rights.
   
6. Support funding and policies that provide for transparency and accountability to ensure integrity and public trust in our institutions.  
   

I encourage you to read/download the entire IS Nonprofit Policy Platform.   

I’m going to send this paper on to my elected officials -- I hope that Congress and the new Administration take time to read and think about these important policy shifts.   

Rejection -- can be a good thing????

I’ve just spent most of my morning reviewing my rejections.  Or rather denials of various grant proposals over the last five years.  While I can’t say that this is a particularly uplifting activity, it is something I should be doing at least annually. 

So why, one might ask, revisit all you past “failures”  -- proposals that didn’t fit a potential funders focus?  Here are some quick reasons:

1.     To create a solid history of what work has been tried, why (if it can be determined) we were not funded and whether it is worth trying again. 

2.     To have this history at hand when someone on board or staff says “have we looked at the XYZ foundation they look great!” and be able to answer “yes and unless you know someone on the board it’s not worth our resources….”

3.     To remind yourself that sometimes things change – encourage meeting with funders who denied in the past but seem like a future possibility.  Keep up-to-date notes so that if funders focus etc… changes you can re-apply. 

So it’s in my planner for next January – my annual denial/failure review – yippee!  Now on to finding new prospects and showing love to our current funders!

Greed, greed and more greed -- investor bilks wealthy families and their foundations

A front page article in the Boston Globe  and business section of the  New York Times yesterday outline a huge Ponzi scheme run by investor Bernard Madoff. When totally uncovered it looks like this guy (a captain of wall street and pillar of the community) has bilked billions from wealthy families and some of their charitable foundations.  From time to time scandals like this erupt in the philanthropy community.  Remember the United Way scandal from years ago?  More that just stealing from the people who trusted him to manage their foundation's investments, Madoff has sparked the worst kind of cynicism  in this season of light.  When many fundraisers are working harder than ever for important causes -- this guy's GREED hurts us all.  

NPR Marketplace - series on how charities are weathering economic crisis

I think this series on NPR started yesterday -- I listen to the Marketplace podcast.  Here is the link to the web article.  Marketplace series on charities

They are interviewing a number of nonprofit folks around the country.