• By Art Gib
• Published 11/12/2009
• Writing

As I prepare to enter graduate school, I am thrilled to begin the next level of my education. But I am certainly conscious of the need to obtain new sources of financial aid. That is where the necessity of supplemental grants comes in. These are appropriated moneys allotted to various organizations including universities and other educational institutions usually from the state and federal governments. However, there are many private parties that contribute to grant money as well. But despite all of these contributors, funds are still limited, or at least they seem to be when you compare the hopefuls to what money is actually available. That is why, whether you need the money to further your own individual pursuits, or you are trying to bring in extra income through helping other organizations, grant writing skills are tremendously beneficial. The first step in beginning to develop such skills is purchasing or checking out a book on the subject. In my opinion, buying one or several of these volumes will be better for you in the long run, as you will be able to continually reference them in the future.

If you have plenty of time available before you need to start writing a grant, then you should spend between fifteen and twenty minutes a day reading these books. This keeps you reading at a

steady pace and prevents you from forgetting the major terms and techniques you will need to know when the time comes. Take classes! Community colleges and universities alike frequently offer grant writing courses. Some of them provide one class on a singular day, while others have a series of courses that treat subjects individually. Check advertisements in the newspaper and on the Internet to find out if there will be consultants, speakers, and other professionals visiting your region to give lectures or workshops to help you improve your ability to write in the style grant reviewers expect. Stay in touch with professionals that can and are willing to help you improve. Bosses, senior colleagues, and university professors can help point you in the right direction and provide you with valuable connections, even if they are unable to give feedback on the work you have done. You know what they say practice makes perfect! Keep writing all the time. To gain experience, you may want to consider volunteering for a not-for-profit organization and ask specifically to be placed on their grant committee. You will be able to learn from other experienced writers and gain more skill, adding to your credentials.

Being able to effective write grants is an invaluable skill, no matter what career path you have chosen or what your interests are. It doesn’t take much to get started, so don’t hesitate!

ARRIVE, LLC (http://www.I-ARRIVE.com/) can help your team achieve success through its grant writing courses, which will help you obtain the financial backing necessary for your projects and budgets. Art Gib is a freelance writer.

by Art Gib