Organizations and individuals give out billions of dollars worth of grants every year. The federal government, nonprofit organizations, community foundations, corporations, private foundations, family trusts, and individual donors all offer grants to worthy recipients.
Learning how to write winning grant proposals is an invaluable asset for classical singers seeking funds to advance their music careers, education, and performing opportunities.
Grant writing calls for three basic requirements: English language writing and typing skills, hard work, and a stoic resilience to rejection.
Let’s assume you are a classical singer seeking a grant as an individual to participate in an audition in Europe. Your first step: hunt for foundations that are likely to fund individuals. The best source for the beginner-level grant writer is private foundations. Researching private foundations can be time-consuming, but is well worth the effort. The Internet and the library are two excellent starting points for foundation research. Increasingly, the Internet is showing certain distinct advantages over hard copies stacked on library shelves. Internet sites offer updated information that may not appear in hard copies.
Those hard copies of grant directories are usually shelved in the reference section of the library. Two standard directories provide funding information for individual applicants: The Foundation Center Grants Directory, which lists hundreds of private foundations that provide funding for individuals; and the Foundation Grants to Individuals.
Each entry includes information on funding, amounts awarded, deadlines, and who can apply. Looking through the subject index saves time and energy in the hunting process. The subject index classifies entries according to different fields. Before you look under the subject index, categorize your grant request under different subject areas. For example, if you are seeking funds to audition for a music festival in Europe, look under “arts and cultural,” “education,” and “travel.” Doing an interdisciplinary search of different subject areas increases your chances of finding more foundations that are likely to fund your endeavor.
Here is another example: If you are seeking funds to cover emergency living expenses, such as medical bills or living expenses, look under “general welfare.”
The recommended Web site to hunt for private foundations is Washington D.C.’s Foundation Center, which gives a complete listing of private foundations. Click on “Finding Funders” and “Grant Maker Websites.” Under grant maker listings, you will find three categories: Private Foundations, Corporations, and Community Foundations. Click on “Private Foundations.” The foundations are listed alphabetically. More information is usually listed under “What We Fund,” “Contact Us,” “Frequently Asked Questions,” and “Who Can Apply.”
In both Internet and hard copy research of private foundations, the first thing to discover is whether the foundation awards grants to individuals, or if it considers applications only from organizations. If it funds individuals, then look at the areas it funds. If your project falls within the foundation’s areas of funding, you may be eligible to apply for a grant. Make sure to consult the deadline for the receipt of applications.
If you don’t qualify, don’t apply.
Once you have found a foundation that seems likely to fund your project, start preparing the application. The grant application is the umbilical cord that connects you with a potential funding source.
The basic document of a grant application is the proposal. Some foundations prefer to receive a brief query first, before deciding whether they want to receive a complete proposal: a letter of inquiry (LOI) one or two pages in length. If the foundation doesn’t provide guidelines, your LOI should contain a description of the funding request, the timeline, your qualifications, and the amount you seek. If you can support your funding request through letters, Web sites, or awards, so much the better.
For example, if you are applying for funds to participate at a music festival, include information about tuition costs, your acceptance letter, and a recommendation letter. These are called “supporting materials,” and they strengthen the applicant’s merit.
Grant proposals vary according to each foundation. If the foundation doesn’t provide specific grant guidelines, your proposal should contain your objective, personnel, timeline, evaluation, and the amount requested. The complete grant application needs to be a reflection of your ability to carry out the proposed endeavor.
Make your application look like a work of art. If any part of the application is discolored by coffee stains or corrected with white out, reprint those pages. The external appearance of the application needs to be neat and attractive. It must convince the reader to feel that: “Yes, I would like to give this classical singer the chance to participate in the music festival, because she shows promise.”
Once you have completed the application, you have reached the final step: mailing it out. This seems easy, but don’t be sloppy about it. Pay attention to how the envelope is addressed. A typed address label looks more professional than a handwritten one. Some foundations accept applications only through regular mail, while others accept applications only electronically.
After you have submitted the application, move on to another funding source. Don’t wait till you hear from the funder to start on another application. My policy is to forget about an application once I have dropped it in the mailbox or hit the “submit” button.
The foundation will respond to you in due time. If you get the grant, it’s time to pack your bags and leave for the music festival. If you don’t, use the rejection to your advantage—and keep applying.
Above all, don’t give up.
