Deliver the Receipts: How to Tell Your Proposal Story in Words and Numbers

Do you know that there are grants available for individuals? Do you know a new nonprofit searching for that first grant to apply for? Just know that when applying for that first grant, first impressions matter. My master class in August will help

“demystify” the art and style of writing a grant and how to find funding sources that align with your mission. Learn More! From taking my master class, I hope that you will discover some tips, strategies, and “a-ha” moments from the lessons I’ve gained. Like many Boomers have, should be, or are currently in the succession planning process to do - I am passing the baton!

Through my multifaceted lens as a grant seeker, reviewer, and nonprofit consultant, I’ll share my grant-related experiences to teach others about the basic art, style, and the essentials that it takes to write a winning grant. And no matter your role in the nonprofit sector, you should familiarize yourself with the terms and language of grant writing.

Full disclosure here: I am NOT really a numbers person. I am a social worker. I am a

visionary. But I like numbers sometimes. I do like data and research, looking at societal

changes, socioeconomic shifts, and intergenerational trends. Numbers excite me on a

personal level, when I see my bank balances and social security cost-of-living increases. And

professionally, when I see a coaching client make significant behavioral and attitudinal

changes, including building their confidence to procure grant monies and increase their

financial stability and ability to serve our communities! I know enough about nonprofit

management and fundraising to understand the basics of finance. However, I rely/lean on

other folks as part of the grant writing team who thrive on numbers (and including those on

the grant review panel). These are the real “subject matter experts”.

Telling Your Story in Words & Numbers

Last week’s post highlighted the importance of telling a compelling story to that grant reviewer -the person deciding if you should receive funding consideration. In grant writing, you typically have to tell two sides of your proposal story. One side of the story encompasses how the program will work, its design- this is your proposal narrative in words. Tell a story that highlights the urgency and importance of your work. Share anecdotes or case studies, and in some instances pictures and other media, that humanize the issue, making it relatable and an immediate need in your community. This helps funders understand the context and feel the passion driving your project. Use this space to clearly articulate the problem you aim to address, the significance of your project, and the anticipated impact.

When crafting a grant proposal, it's essential to weave that memorable and compelling

narrative that captivates the reader. However, a truly effective proposal must tell this story not only through words but also through numbers. The combination of words, quantitative data and a realistic budget creates a balanced, credible, and convincing argument that can

significantly enhance your chances of securing funding. As a data geek, I thrive in this space!

The Numbers Story: The Rationale and Rational Foundation

While your words of the narrative set the stage, numbers provide the hard evidence that

supports your claims. This is where data geeks can shine and are integral to telling the story in numbers. Use data to demonstrate the scope and scale of the problem, as well as the potential effectiveness of your proposed solution. Statistics, research findings, and financial projections lend credibility to your proposal. They show that you have done your homework and can back up your narrative with solid facts. For instance, if you're addressing a public health issue, provide data on the number of people affected, the community & economic impact, and the expected outcomes of your proposed intervention.

The other piece that tells the numbers story is your proposal’s budget. This component is

not just presented numerically and with spreadsheets, your budget must describe why

(justification) and how those requested dollars are reasonable, make sense, and support the

other side proposal story. This form of storytelling is called the “budget narrative”, and yes,

that’s crafted in words too! How did you determine your numbers/costs? Produce the

receipts.

Integrating Words and Numbers in Your Grant Proposal

The key to a successful grant proposal is integrating these two elements seamlessly. As you

describe your project, weave in relevant statistics and data points to reinforce your story. Use

charts, graphs, and tables to present this information clearly and concisely, making it easy for

funders to process. Make sure that every number (your data analysis and your budget)

supports a specific part of your narrative, creating a cohesive and compelling case.

In summary, a grant proposal that tells a story in both words and numbers is more likely to

resonate with funders. By combining the emotional appeal of a well-crafted narrative with the persuasive power of data, and a realistic budget, you can create a proposal that is not only engaging but also convincing. This makes a winning grant! Check out Big Mama’s Playbook!

Weekly wisdom, in their own words:

“You're never going to kill storytelling, because it's built into the human plan. We come with it.”

- Margaret Atwood (1939 -)