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Readers Respond: What is the Hardest Part of Writing a Grant Proposal?
Responses: 6

By Joanne Fritz, About.com

Is there a particular part of a grant proposal that is especially tough for you? Tell us what it is. (Guest posting permitted; no account necessary to share your story.) Share Your Story

Finding the Theme

I write a number of demonstration grants. The key question: What sets this project apart from others? It's hard to answer, but once you do, everything else falls into place (needs analysis, target population, outreach, partners). Sometimes you force a theme, and you just know it's a shoehorn job. And sometimes the exact idea hits you like a bolt from the blue. That's why I consider it the hardest part: Unlike data collection, you can't just grind your way toward an answer. Of course, once your find your theme, you still have to do the research!
—thegrantdoctor.com

Locating Sources

For a small non-profit, with a small staff, I have efficiency issues identifying grantees. Any great strategic ideas that will assist in locating? -Jay
—TravelnDoc

Think out of the vacuum

The hardest part, by far, is the planning. The biggest challenge in writing grants for me is to convince those that need to be in the planning process to really get involved in that process so that the proposal is as strong as it can be.
—Guest Jeff Mascornick

hardest part...

budgets are hard for me...i am going to take a course in writing budgets!
—Guest thefenixfoundation

First Steps?

To be perfectly honest, the hardest part of grant writing is to get started! I've just been given the task of grant writing for my department,oh joy! I work for a university and fall will be here soon. I'll be sure to check out the Related Articles below. Regards, Ann, CT
—Guest Ann

Statistics and more statistics

Finding the statistics I need is the hardest part for me. I need stats for the field (aging) as a whole and then for the specific issues we are writing the grant for, such as alzheimer's or end-of-life issues.
—Guest Francis Lewis

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What is the Hardest Part of Writing a Grant Proposal?

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