Grant writing is often solitary work. Many of the people in the fundraising or development world have many face-to-face meetings, but not grant writers. They sit quietly at their desks alone and write to foundations and corporations requesting money to fund projects.
“It’s a different personality that does this type of work,” says Steven de Polo, the Director of Foundation Giving at Grand Valley State University.
In June 2008, de Polo though it would be a good idea to have discussions with other grant writers so he started the Grant Writers Roundtable of Grand Rapids (GWR). GWR is a professional, yet informal, networking and support group for West Michigan grant writers and foundation relations officers who raise money through the written word.
The group meets on the third Wednesday of every month from noon to 1:30 p.m., with an average of around 20 people attending each time. The meetings are free and guests may bring a bag lunch.
GWR is not only for grant writers -- anyone is welcome. Foundation relations officers, recent grads, communication professionals, and representatives from various local nonprofits, neighborhood organizations, corporations, and universities attend the meetings as well.
Some of the attendees have never written a grant, and de Polo says that's okay, but stresses that these meetings are not classes. If people want to learn how to write grants, GWR has book recommendations on its site and grant writing classes are offered at the Johnson Center for Philanthropy and elsewhere.
The GWR meetings take place at a different location each month -- mostly at nonprofit organizations so members can learn more about them.
“We’re all basically nonprofit nerds,” says de Polo, explaining the rationale.
GWR is always seeking new places willing to host around 25 people with AV equipment available for presentations.
Volunteer guest speakers are also wanted. Each month, speakers such as foundation program officers, writing communication professionals, or experts on various subjects share their insights with the group. In addition to focusing on best practices, topics shared in the past include social media, project and time management, public speaking, presentation skills, and more.
GWR also shares articles, job postings, and a list of writers on its website and Facebook page.
The skill in grant writing is “about telling the story and being very clear,” de Polo says. “Anyone can do it as long as you’re passionate about what you’re doing and understand it.”
He adds that grant writers can’t just walk over to a local foundation and ask for money. A grant proposal has to be written for a specific project and de Polo says there are deadlines, guidelines, and bureaucracy.
“If you’re impatient, you’re not going to do this type of work,” he says.
The work can be challenging and that’s why de Polo wants GWR members to share best practices and what they’ve learned so people “don’t have to reinvent the wheel.”
GWR also fosters collaboration among nonprofits -- which the foundations encourage -- and provides opportunities for mentoring those who are new to grant writing.
The next GWR meeting is on Feb. 20 at noon at the Pregnancy Resource Center. Jason Zylstra, senior program officer with the RDV Corporation, will be speaking. The rest of the schedule can be found online.
If you want to get involved with GWR, here’s how you can:
- Visit
Grant Writers Roundtable online to find out more about the organization.
- Join the group by contacting
Steven de Polo.
- Sign up to receive the
newsletter.
- Like the group on
Facebook.
- Attend one of the month meetings held on the third Wednesday of each month from noon - 1:30 p.m. The locations vary so check the website or Facebook page for more information.
Source: Steven de Polo, Founder of the Grant Writers Roundtable and also the Director of Foundation Giving for University Development at Grand Valley State University
Writer: Heidi Stukkie, Do Good Editor
Images provided by the Grant Writers Roundtable.
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