Grantwriting 101 by Anne del Castillo
I will not lie to you: grantwriting is a monumental task. It is a whole other job--as if making a film weren't hard enough. It requires skill, creativity, and insight. What I am about to outline here for you is just that: an outline. I do not mean to give the impression that this is the end-all-be-all; it's a start, plain and simple.
But before we begin, it's important to note that grant-seeking is not for everyone. I've seen folks whose budgets are no more than $5,000, and in some cases, the money and time they've spent researching grants would have been better invested in their films. Grant-seeking can sometimes take as long as a year, or even two or three. It certainly doesn't happen overnight. And the number of grants available for filmmakers is limited, at best. Often, foundations that say they fund media or film have very specific requirements. I remember researching grants for a documentary project and coming up with a list of over 200 potential sources. Then, after a week of calls and follow-up inquiries, I'd found the list had dwindled to about four or five possibilities; even then, funding was not a sure thing. As discouraging as this may sound, it's important to evaluate whether this approach is right for your project. That said, if you're still up to the task, here are a few things you'll need to make the process a little more favorable.
Grantwriting requires a bit of common sense. One of the first things you need to do, so basic it is often overlooked, is to read the guidelines. They may be as brief as a paragraph or as long as the Bible; in either case, they will tell you:
- who the organization is
- what they fund
- what they want in the application
Who the organization is:
It's important to know the organization you're approaching: What is their mission? What sort of programs do they offer? What size is the organization? Who is on their Board of Directors? The answers to these questions are your first indication of whether or not you should be soliciting funds from them, as well as whether or not you stand a chance at getting funded.
What they fund:
Next, you will need to look at the organization's criteria for funding. More than an indication, this flat out tells you what they're looking to fund. For example, the Texas Council for the Humanities' guidelines state that they fund documentary projects; so if you have a narrative, do not apply. In addition to genre, check what stages of production they fund. Are there budget restrictions? Do they fund individuals, or do you need a sponsoring organization? What forms of media; do they only fund video? Are there particular issues or themes they are seeking? Then, once you determine their criteria, be sure you fit the mold. Sometimes, you can make the stretch, but often, you'll find you're wasting your time and theirs.
What they want in the application:
So now that you've determined your eligibility, you need to know what materials are required for the application. Some organizations only require something as simple as a letter at first, while others will have a list of attachments a mile long, in addition to a lengthy application form. Look for page limitations; if they ask for three pages, give them three, not four. While you might be able to hold their attention to read through all four, you run the risk of irritating them by disregarding their guidelines. Read and reread the guidelines to be sure you have everything you need; you don't want to miss a funding opportunity because you forgot to include the right number of photocopies.
The following items are not in a set order, but each are important elements to include when writing your proposal.
What is the project about?
Believe it or not, some folks can go on and on about a project and never really say what it's about. They'll say how long it is, what genre it is, and even who the shooter is--all of which are important to note--but they forgot to say what "it" is. Or they forgot to finish the thought: "This 35mm 15-minute short film is about Joe." Well what about Joe? Who is he? What does he do that warrants a film, even if it is a short? Maybe it's about Joe doing nothing, but at least say that.
What will it look like?
Since the panel is reading and not seeing, it's important to give them as much of a visual sense of the film as possible. You want them to see your film in their heads as they read your proposal. Use detailed and descriptive language to illustrate scenes and images.
How will you do it?
Again, another way of helping the panel see your project. Will you be shooting v?rit?? Using different media? Special effects? Different formats? Explain the relevance of your technique to the constructs of the film.
Where did the idea come from?
A little background on the origins of the project never hurts. Maybe you were inspired by noir films. Or maybe you came across the idea in your work within the community. Or maybe
you just want to test the creative bounds of a specific medium. There is a reason you picked this project.
Why should you be the one to make it?
A continuation of the previous idea, but also a way of letting the panel know a bit about yourself and your artistry.
Who will see it?
Theoretically, you're making this project so that you can show it somewhere, and not just put it on a shelf in cold storage. Who is your audience? What's your distribution plan? Some folks like to say that they intend for the project to reach a wide audience. Well, who wouldn't want their work seen by the whole world to love and admire? But chances are, not everyone is going to love your film, and surely, you won't be spending endless amounts on every exhibition and distribution available. More than likely, there's a specific appeal to a particular group, and you should have a distribution plan. The panel wants to know what happens after the project is made, who sees it and where. This gives them a sense of the impact of the project.
How will you finance it?
Of course, you're hoping this organization will give you all the money you need. And perhaps you haven't really thought beyond that. You have $500 in your account, and are hoping to get $25,000 more to complete your budget. The money has to come from somewhere if the project is to be made, so you need a funding plan. Maybe there are a few other grants you're looking into, or maybe you're planning a fundraiser event. Having a plan will demonstrate for the panel your level of commitment to the project.
Why should this organization fund it?
How will the funds be used?
Remember all that information that you read in their guidelines? Well, here's where that all comes into use. If you're sharp, you've figured out a way to weave some of those ideas throughout the other elements of the proposal already. Otherwise, you definitely want to play on them here. Look back at the organization's mission and goals, along with their criteria for funding. Note the key things that match the goals and ideas in your own project, and articulate them here. "As a film that portrays the struggles of Native Americans in reclaiming their land, The Forgotten Lands addresses many of the public policy issues the People's Foundation seeks to promote." Okay, so the example I've provided could use some editing, but you get the idea.
Then, tell them what their funds will do for the project. "Funding from the People's Foundation will enable us to coordinate outreach activities with community organizations around the country." And then cite general costs that will be covered by the grant.
Some general thoughts: watch your language. By that I mean, keep in mind your reader. Depending on whether the funding organization is a foundation, an arts organization, a government arm, or a media association, you'll want to tailor your language accordingly. In some cases with foundations, you're writing to people who may or may not have knowledge about media arts and all the technical details involved, so you may not want to overwhelm them with technical jargon or obscure film references (note: panels do not like to feel stupid). You may want to focus on the significance and impact of the work on the public at large. On the other hand, if you're applying to a media arts organization, you can be more detailed about your process and technical style.
Also, remember to convey some of your personality in the grant, because at the time of application, you are really only a piece of paper and maybe a video sample. Give as much of your voice to the writing as you can. This is the only way you can get the panel to see you.
And, of course, read and reread and get other people to read the paper before submitting it. Check for typos and misspellings. If you're a bad speller, get a spell checker, whether it be electronic or human And then be sure it's neat, complete, and on time. Little things mean a lot.
As I said, there is no set formula in the end. How you write a grant application depends on many factors, a few which are mentioned above. It's okay to start with a boilerplate, but you need to dress it up a little differently each time. The important thing is to be flexible and ready; know your project and be prepared to talk about it in different ways with different people. You can do this by trying to maintain some objectivity about both your project and the grants process. Again, grant-seeking is not for the faint-hearted. It requires thoughtfulness, resilience and persistence. And a little bit of luck never hurt either.
