Anyone Can Write a Grant
September 19, 2013
In this Demco-sponsored webcast, Catherine Hakala-Ausperk from Libraries Thrive Consulting joins Demco’s Director of Industry Relations, Janet Nelson, to discuss how anyone can write grants for their library.
Could your library use some extra money? Don’t eliminate grants as an option just because you aren’t a professional grant writer! Although grant writing can be a scary idea, the pros far outweigh the cons and anyone can do it. Following a few easy steps, you and others on your staff can pool your skills to create an effective, successful proposal — and start bringing in some more money for your library!
Learn how to:
- Break the grant writing process down into simple steps
- Bring staff skills together to build an effective “Grants Team”
- Understand the pitfalls of grant writing – and how to avoid them
- Implement helpful tips that lead to success and money
Presenter
Catherine Hakala-Ausperk
Catherine Hakala-Ausperk is a 31-year public library veteran, with experience in everything from direct customer service to management and administration. Now an active library planner, speaker and trainer, she is also the author of Be a Great Boss: One Year to Success (ALA, 2011), Build a Great Team: One Year to Success (ALA, 2013), and the upcoming Renew Yourself! A Six-Step Plan for More Meaningful Work (ALA, January 2017). Hakala-Ausperk also teaches for Kent State University's School of Library and Information Science, the American Library Association's Certified Public Library Administrator Program (CPLA), InfoPeople and more. She also writes Demco's Library Advice blog. As the owner of Libraries Thrive Consulting, Hakala-Ausperk helps libraries create exciting strategic plans, she keynotes and presents at conferences and she facilitates workshops and academies around the country. Catherine's passion is for supporting, coaching and developing great libraries, successful team members, and – especially – strong and effective library leaders.
Moderator
Janet Nelson
Janet is the former Director of Library Engagement and Solutions at Demco. She managed and developed relationships with key industry leaders to understand changing library trends and services.
Interested in writing a grant for my library
Sorry, Christy but I just saw your post. I hope, by now, you’ve given it a try and even gotten a grant. My best advice is to start small. Maybe a grocery store or other commercial agency in your community would be willing to support a special project at the library. Practice writing that request.
GOAL – Why do you want to do the project? What need will it fulfill?
OBJECTIVES – What pieces and parts will you put together to achieve your goal?
ACTION – How will you start? What will you do first? Next?
FINALLY what’s your “call to action?” What do you need from a funder, in order to be successful?
Remember also to communicate frequently on progress and invite them to a celebration when the project ends. Even if it’s just cookies and punch – and have the local newspaper there so the funder gets some credit, too. If the paper won’t write the story, then YOU write a letter to editor. Not only is that a great way to thank people, but it might encourage others to come forward, to help as well.
I would love to learn how to write a grant but I really do need it broken down into very simple steps.
Shannon, you are absolutely right that any grant proposal, no matter how big or small, is much easier to tackle when broken down into pieces. Also, make sure you put together a team to help write it, and have that team made up of people who bring all kinds of different skills to the table. Get someone who likes to write, someone who likes to speak, someone who likes spreadsheets and numbers and budgets. Then, everyone sharing the load of work makes the project easier – and the skills they bring make the likelihood of success much greater. Check with your State Library, too. They just might be able to help give you some advice. Good luck!
Cathy