Grant Writing Lessons Learned Early in Life...
Everything I Need To Know I Learned In 3rd Grade
Of all the tasks that nonprofit professionals must undertake, few are as simple as grant writing. Everything I ever need to know about grant writing I learned in the third grade. Those simple but important lessons include…
Do it the way the teacher tells you to do it.
Ask questions if you don’t understand.
Read the instructions, then follow them. Make sure you are answering the question you are asked.
Be neat. Don’t smudge your work.
Check your work. Ask yourself if your answer makes sense. Have your mom check your paper before you turn it in.
No credit for late assignments.
Check your spelling.
Use but don’t overuse commas, periods, semi-colons and other punctuation marks.
Don’t use words that you don’t understand, or your reader won’t understand or recognize.
Tell a story with your writing.
Keep it simple.
If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
Saving a penny is as good as earning a penny.
Make sure the numbers add up. A calculator is only as smart as the person pushing the buttons.
Show your work. Tell me where your numbers come from.
If you want money, you might as well tell me how much you REALLY need, because I already have a pretty good idea of how much that is.
If you’re going to ask someone for help, be nice to them first. Be nice to them afterwards, too.
Have something to say before you try to get the teacher’s attention.
Comb your hair, brush your teeth and wear your best outfit on special occasions.
When someone gives you a really nice gift, or even a really not-so-nice gift, send a thank you note.
Treat others as you’d like to be treated.
Do your best.
Do what’s right.
Don’t lie.
Promise a little and deliver a lot.
Don’t say you’ll do something if you’re not going to do it.
And turn in every paper so that someone will give you a bright shiny silver star at the top.
Do it the way the teacher tells you to do it.
Ask questions if you don’t understand.
Read the instructions, then follow them. Make sure you are answering the question you are asked.
Be neat. Don’t smudge your work.
Check your work. Ask yourself if your answer makes sense. Have your mom check your paper before you turn it in.
No credit for late assignments.
Check your spelling.
Use but don’t overuse commas, periods, semi-colons and other punctuation marks.
Don’t use words that you don’t understand, or your reader won’t understand or recognize.
Tell a story with your writing.
Keep it simple.
If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
Saving a penny is as good as earning a penny.
Make sure the numbers add up. A calculator is only as smart as the person pushing the buttons.
Show your work. Tell me where your numbers come from.
If you want money, you might as well tell me how much you REALLY need, because I already have a pretty good idea of how much that is.
If you’re going to ask someone for help, be nice to them first. Be nice to them afterwards, too.
Have something to say before you try to get the teacher’s attention.
Comb your hair, brush your teeth and wear your best outfit on special occasions.
When someone gives you a really nice gift, or even a really not-so-nice gift, send a thank you note.
Treat others as you’d like to be treated.
Do your best.
Do what’s right.
Don’t lie.
Promise a little and deliver a lot.
Don’t say you’ll do something if you’re not going to do it.
And turn in every paper so that someone will give you a bright shiny silver star at the top.
