It’s a well-accepted best practice that the development of grant proposals should be well coordinated with the administrative, financial, human resources, and programmatic functions of the organization.
Since each of these functions requires specialized expertise and knowledge, involving them in developing grant proposal helps guard against mistakes and misrepresentations.
Communication between people who serve different functions within the organization is a well-known challenge. When the specialists convene, each brings a set of expectations, rules, regulations, and jargon to the table.
To work most effectively, grant professionals should read the written policies and procedures that guide the various functions of the organization. It’s important to be well informed of the constraints within which each staff member works. Understanding policies and procedures enables you to participate more fully in discussions related to specialized areas such as budgeting, hiring, purchasing, and volunteer screening. It helps you interpret jargon, appreciate concerns, and build a fully functional grant development team.
Grant professionals know they need a firm understanding of the organization’s constituents, services, data, accomplishments, and strategic plan. But the need to understand the organization’s policies and procedures is often overlooked. When you understand the rules and constraints of the various arenas within your organization, you’ll be more effective at pulling the parts and pieces together and facilitating the development of accurate, competitive grant proposals that meet your organization’s requirements.
— Barbara Floersch, Emeritus Senior Trainer
