Grant Proposal Storytelling: How To Write Proposals That Connect and Win Funding

Storytelling is something that has been around since humans first learned to speak. It is present in the books we read as children, in the textbooks that got us through college, and even in every business presentation you complete. Because the element of storytelling is present in every aspect of our lives, we tend to feel more comfortable and pay better attention to information that is given to us in the typical story format. This format is exactly what we should be using in non-profit grant writing. 

However, the way that you structure your proposal should depend on how you are telling your story. 

More specifically, there are 3 reasons why storytelling can enhance your story.

1. Build An Emotional Connection With Your Reader

2. Support Your Reasoning With Data Visualization

3. Use Storytelling Structures To Enhance The Reach Of Your Proposal

#1 Build An Emotional Connection With Your Reader 

The story will establish the connection between you and the reader. One grant writing proposal tip is that the hook of the story should clearly state the goals that readers should keep in mind when they are reading the proposal. This is very similar to the exposition you would see in a story book. For instance, a storybook would start by having the main character fall into a problem with no solution, leading to the rest of the story. 

Grant writing best practices has us starting the proposal with a clear statement of who the money would benefit and what the use will be for. This paints a picture of the impact into the reader’s mind. For instance, if you are writing a proposal for new playground funding, they will picture children enjoying the playground as they are reading through your data and reasoning for why you need the money. It humanizes your proposal and allows the reader to relate it to their own lives. Perhaps they have children that enjoy going to the playground and will want to help make this possible for other kids. 

#2 Support Your Reasoning With Data Visualization

When you show data and utilize it to support your reasoning, you are enhancing your story and adhering to grant writing best practices. For instance, it helps to show the percentage of children that come to your neighborhood center and the age/wear and tear of the current playground. You can do this by using a pie chart to illustrate the percentage age ranges of the children at the playground.

The age of social media has impacted the attention span of most people, as most people are now visual learners. In fact, the average attention span of the reader is about 47 seconds.  So, we need to take these data points that enhance the messaging of the grant writing proposal and find key ways to visualize them. 

Some common data visualization formats to consider include:

📉Line Graph

📊Bar Chart

🖊️Pie Chart

💻Scatterplot

Using any of these methods can promote trends and show where you are at with the story. Each format has their own best uses. Line Graphs are best used for reviewing changes over time and showing trends. Bar charts are used for comparison of different data points, or ranking items in a series. You need to use a pie chart when you are showing percentages of a whole, and scatterplots to show correlations or trends. 

The most relevant part of this grant writing proposal tip is to present it like it is the rising action and climax of the story book. You want to show readers why you need the items mentioned in the hook of your story, visually. We want to write a compelling grant proposal and explain the data like you would tell an interesting story. This will engage the person reading the proposal and set you apart from the other writers.

#3 Use Storytelling Structures To Enhance The Reach Of Your Proposal

People are told stories from a young age. They often look for the story when they are reviewing information. When we utilize storytelling as a grant writing best practice, the flow of information is going to sound more appealing to the grant reader. This will make you seem more genuine and personable, as well. 

The structure that you should follow is very similar to the plot line of most stories. A plot line includes the five items of exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. You need to begin with the hook to grab the attention. Next, illustrate the challenge that your organization is facing and present the solution you would like to implement using potential grant funding. Then, tie all of this information together with a clear conclusion. 

Remember, you need to use just the right amount of emotion and data combined to properly use storytelling in grant writing. We want to utilize truthful and relevant data to prove our point, just as much as we want to tell the story and emotional reasons for needing funding. Storytelling is a part of human nature and I know that you will do an amazing job at writing this proposal. If you find yourself having writer's block, remember these grant writing proposal best practices including building an emotional connection with your reader, support your reasoning for data visualization, and use storytelling structures to enhance the reach of your proposal. 

Find your happy medium and tell the story that best represents you! Please know that Elevate Consulting is always here to help you if you need it.