The Grants for Growing (G4G) program, sponsored by Tractor Supply Company, allows FFA chapters to apply for funding toward projects that increase classroom knowledge, develop or expand leadership opportunities, or even support an agricultural literacy event or campaign.
The application process can be intimidating, but grant writing is a lifelong skill that members can begin to hone now. Follow these five tips and set your chapter’s application up for success.
1. The devil is in the details.
Many grant applications are immediately rejected because of missing requirements. To avoid that happening, read the parameters of the grant carefully and respond to all parts of questions asked, fields provided and examples listed. Avoid overlooking an aspect of a question or supplying a generic response.
2. Consistency is king.
Responses should follow the same format. Multiple people may work on a grant, but the writing should sound like one author. Triple-check grammar and spelling. It may help to write the proposal on a separate document before copying and pasting it into the online application itself. Finally, pay attention to character limits.
3. There is power in partnership.
Give your community partnership response the recognition it deserves! A good rule is to include the need for this partner on the project; a history of the partnership; and the specific roles, responsibilities, and resources the partner offers that benefit the proposed project. Reach out to partners early and make sure to have all the necessary information.
4. Budget transparency matters.
Budget recording can be a challenging task when it comes to grant writing. Make sure your project budget is a direct translation of the story shared in the application. Additionally, if the grant would only partially support the project, show where the rest of the funding will come from. This additional buy-in shows that the project will likely continue to be funded even after the grant period ends.
5. Start with the end in mind.
Determine how you will measure success. Grant reviewers look for your intent, but also search for the numbers and metrics to support it. Any project proposal should be accompanied by outputs and outcomes. Outputs tabulate, calculate or record the actual products or services delivered by a program. Outcomes indicate progress toward achieving the intended result of a program.
The 2022 G4G application period ends May 16. Learn more at FFA.org/Grants-For-Growing.
