7. Make your application come alive in minds of grant reviewers. Help them to see your project. Use words that paint a picture of what you want to accomplish. Let them feel your excitement and passion for your work. If they are conducting a site visit, have clients attend. Prepare a short slide show, or put together a photo album. Put pictures on a Website. (And by way, don’t forget about new marketing tools such as blogging. There are many free blogs now, and you can post pictures, invite comments and provide interaction. You can let funders know about your blog before you send in application, or include url with your contact information. Know your audience. Don’t assume they know technical jargon or acronyms related to your project. State your goals and objectives clearly and concisely. 8. Make sure that every sentence in your application counts. Say what you need to say, but make your words convey exactly what funder needs to hear to be able to say yes. Don’t waste their time or try their patience. If you don't have a good answer for some of questions, be honest and say so. Use bullets, or bold-face type, or a list of key elements to convey high points of your project, and don't bury them in paragraphs of verbiage. If you're invited to do a presentation, practice first, and stick to point. Make grant easy to read; use a reasonable-sized font and leave enough blank space. Don't include voluminous attachments, unless you have a very good reason clearly stated in your application. Make every word convey an important point to grant reviewer; if it's not relevant, leave it out. If allowed, use pictures, diagrams, plans, or maps instead of long, confusing descriptions. The history and war stories of your project are vivid and important to you, but a grant reviewer may not care; keep your background and history brief and focus instead on project.

10. Give them what they ask for. If you can't provide information requested, call grantor to be sure it is alright to send in without it.

To be continued…..