Reflection on the Grant Writing Process
This reflection below is an assignment from my final week in my grant writing class for my master degree. It asked a questions that I felt took me into different directions and truly allowed me to explore writing in a different way that was challenging and fun. Enjoy reading. Here are the questions from that reflection prompt.
What were your biggest challenges in developing and assembling your proposal?
What were your greatest strengths in developing and assembling your proposal?
What surprised you about the process?
What would you do differently the next time you undertake the grant proposal process?
What advice would you give to individuals who have decided to write their first grant proposal?
I'm addressing the gut-wrenching events of suicide and the profound impact it has on those who fall victim to their own hands. It's a subject that cuts deep, leaving gunshot wounds slowly bleeding long after the firefights have ended. I carry this heavy burden because I feel a deep responsibility to inspire and educate others who may find themselves struggling with being trapped inside a ditch on the side of the road.
This gunshot wound isn't just hurtful to the person taking their life but to mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, grandmas, grandpas – the list goes on. The ripple effect of such behavior seems to expand year by year with no brakes to stop. The shadow of suicide never goes away; it ends lives, and many feel it's the best way to end this human experience called life.
Throughout the grant writing development, roadblocks hindered my progress. I needed to learn quickly to shift my mindset away from sounding too formal and become a storyteller, effectively showing what it is I feel inside about veteran suicide. Showing, not just telling, was crucial for building a relationship with the reader and potential grant funders over time. Another challenge was finding a unique angle different from other organizations fighting veteran suicide.
Crafting the story of battling nightmares, reacting to loud noises, and enduring persistent states of sadness showed why this project needed funding. What initially seemed like a roadblock turned into an opportunity. It allowed me to hone my storytelling skills in this new format of grant writing.
The numbers are still rising even with so many outreach programs and non-profits trying to be a gun in the fight against this enemy we call suicide. A surprising aspect emerged as I swam more into the grant proposal research on veteran suicide. The question lingers in my mind: what approach is needed to put a stop to these self-inflicting life-ending actions?
The eight-week approach from the course was valuable, helping me stay organized, and omitting as needed. Moving forward with this newfound skill in crafting compelling grant proposals, I would implement a different outline system, improve time management, and develop a system that allows me to assemble each part of the grant as I finish it. I found that the true writing process unfolds and breathes when the whole proposal on its final review.
