Up to this point, I haven’t applied for any grants as a freelance writer, but I have a bit of experience with the application and fulfillment process through previous jobs. Grants can be a true blessing if a person or business qualifies, but they don’t come without their burdens. There is nothing wrong with applying for a grant from a willing donor, but let’s have a little chat about the fine print.
The application process can be anywhere from basic to complex. The question you have to ask yourself is if the effort is worth the payout, and that is assuming you actually receive the grant. As a library director, I once applied for a basic grant because the application process was very simple. Completing the grant application didn’t place any major constraints on my time, and the payout was worth the effort of the process. However, there were grants I looked at in which the lengthy application process was just unrealistic compared to the minimal chances we had to receive the grant. While the grant size was amazing, the small number of recipients made me question if I could really devote the amount of time required to complete the application. In other words, can you afford to sacrifice the work time during the application process?
It’s also important to consider what I call “the fine print.” These are the expectations the donor (or grantor) will have for the recipient (or grantee) to complete the grant process. In other words, once you have your grant, what do you have to do to prove to the donor/grantor that you actually used the grant money as they intended? This may include everything from site visits to evaluations to final products produced. Along with a lengthy grant application process, these expectations can add an extra burden on the applicant. Do you have to match a certain amount of your own money or with fundraising? Do you have to send them regular reports at predetermined intervals? Do they have to come see your grant-funded work in progress via a site visit? Do you have to pay back the grant if you fail to meet all the agreed upon criteria? Are you prepared to meet all of those expectations?
There is a lot to think about when applying for a grant, and I’m not discouraging any small business person or artist from doing so. I’m simply encouraging you to be aware of the process before you take that step. Spend your time reading up on the grant application process and how you would honor it as a grantee/recipient. Be sure to read all of the expectations prior to applying. There’s nothing worse than realizing you have received a grant for which the expectations are almost impossible to meet. Also, be certain that you are applying for a grant from a trustworthy organization that offers a good experience for its grantees. Finally, don’t drag your feet when you receive a grant. Immediately begin the process of fulfilling your obligations so the deadlines don’t sneak up on you.
If you do choose to apply for a grant, be certain to review the specific grant website, and for good measure, check out the following resources as applicable:
- Grants.gov is the federal government’s main site for learning about federal grants.
- Small Business Association is the federal resource for small business grants.
- Also, search to see if your own state or field of interest has specific grant programs, but be careful when evaluating those opportunities and verify they are legitimate through a little research before applying.
I hope if you apply for a grant that you find it rewarding and worthwhile. Grants are intended to give a hand to specific interests so it’s worth looking at what is available.
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Inspirational Verse for the Day:
Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. (James 4:17, NLT)
All Things Subject to Change 