Date: Saturday, February 3, 2024 | Time: 10am – 1pm Est. | Place: Zoom
For people who have been rejected – writing another application for the same project & are looking for feedback to improve their proposal
Please be prepared to share your application in the session…
Part of the time will be spent re-writing your current proposal. Each participant will work on an actual grant application and pair with people in the class who will provide constructive feedback and be your ‘accountability partners’.
ABOUT THIS EVENT: When a funder turns downs your application, what do you do? This workshop is the next step in your process. As a collective, we will review applications that were not successful, and analyze feedback from funders and fellow artists. The worst thing you can do after your proposal is rejected is to throw your project in the bin. This workshop will aid in your next attempt at the funding wheel.
Grant writing is one of the best ways to learn about yourself and your project. It is difficult to do, but it is worthwhile. And it requires teamwork and community. When you write a grant in the spirit of and with support from community you change the energy around yourself and your project. Doors will open.
Grantwriting also takes time. It’s like farming. You plant a seed (start a relationship with a potential funder) and it may take years to yield fruit. But let’s be clear, we are NOT saying to waste your time. Cultivating is different from banging your head on a brick wall. Finding and building organizations that serve us is key to changing the current funding environment from one of exploitation and extraction to one of nurturing and growth.
Grants can be rejected for the following reasons….
- Your project does not align with the mission of the RPF (request for proposal), organization, or funder.
- Your proposal was one of many with the same theme and language and got lost in the sauce.
- The idea stood out, but there was no clear support system on paper to complete the project.
- You did not meet the specific guidelines of the grant.
- You were rushing to the deadline and the writing in the application is confusing.
- Someone on the panel really doesn’t like you.
- For filmmakers especially– The panel could not envision the project based on the material you submitted.
Aspects of your proposal you do have control over / Dimensions of the grant review process…
- Taking time to write and reflect on your grant proposal; and reading it outloud.
- Having a friend or associate read your proposal and give constructive feedback.
- Creating a transparent budget where you request what you need (including a salary for yourself).
- The importance of your project sample and your portfolio of work.
- Volunteering to sit on funding panels.
- How to get feedback from a funder on an application that was initially rejected.
- How to research grants opportunities and foundations that align with your vision and purpose.
- Selecting another artist or organization to champion and help them raise funds for their project.
- Finding a community who will support your work: locally, nationally, internationally
AFTER REGISTERING FOR THIS WORKSHOP: please send your name, an application that was rejected with your narrative, work sample, and budget to:
siftmedia215@gmail.com – Subject Line: Second Time Around
If you do not have a completed proposal and are still interested in taking the workshop, just send a link to a website with samples of your work.
This is the 2nd in a series of GRANT FUNDING WORKSHOPS