Libby Hikind is back with another episode of GrantTalk! The founder of GrantWatch welcomes Helena Kosoff Sullivan, an experienced grant writer and consultant, to share her expertise in the field. Helena, a founding member of the Mid-Atlantic chapter of the Grant Professionals Association (GPA), provides invaluable advice drawn from her extensive experience as both a grant writer and consultant.
The interview begins with a brief history of the Grant Professionals Association (GPA), a vital resource for grant writers and consultants nationwide and internationally. The Mid-Atlantic Chapter (now known as the New Jersey Chapter), founded in collaboration with Rowan University, hosts annual conferences and quarterly meetings to provide opportunities for grant writers to exchange ideas and support one another. As Helena puts it, the GPA is all about free advice and helping others succeed in their grant-writing endeavors.
Grant Reviewing, Networking and Collaboration
One of the key points Helena stresses for aspiring grant writers is to take on the role of a grant reviewer. This experience allows grant writers to see what works and what doesn’t, helping them to improve their own grant applications. Helena emphasizes the importance of following the directions in a grant application to the letter. She advises other grant writers and consultants to answer questions directly and clearly, ensuring that their proposals meet the funder’s requirements.
The conversation returns to networking and collaboration. Being part of a community, whether through the GPA, a Facebook group (like the one GrantWatch offers), or other networks, provides valuable support. When a new grant writer faces a challenging question or lacks practical experience with regard to a grant application, reaching out to others can offer new perspectives and solutions.
Planning and Preparation
Helena stresses the importance of planning ahead. Her advice? Review past grant opportunities to anticipate future funding cycles and prepare in advance. This approach gives the grant writer on one-up for future grant cycles and allows time to develop strong proposals. She also highlights the value of understanding the common elements of grant proposals, such as the need, design, evaluation, timeline, and partnerships. According to Helena, partnerships are crucial—showing that a project is a collaborative effort increases its chances of success.
Sustainability: A Key Consideration
One topic of particular interest to both Libby and Helena is the importance of sustainability in grant writing. Funders typically want assurance that a project will continue once their funding period ends. As Helena shared, many grant programs—such as the Whole Foods Foundation’s community gardens initiative—allocate a portion of their funding specifically for sustainability efforts. They also want to know a nonprofit has additional partners and resources, like a subscription to GrantWatch, to maintain the project beyond the grant’s duration.
Ethics and Compensation in Grant Writing
The conversation turns to a critical ethical issue in the grant writing world: commission-based work. Both Libby and Helena stress that it is not only unethical but potentially illegal for grant writers to work on commission. Instead, grant writers should be compensated upfront and written into the grant as part of the proposal. This arrangement ensures fair payment for the work while fostering long-term relationships between the grant writer, the nonprofit, and the funder.
Security Grants and Mini-Grants
One of Helena’s proudest achievements is securing grants for security measures in schools, churches, and community centers. Funded by Homeland Security and other organizations, these grants provide life-saving resources, including security personnel, fortified windows, and surveillance systems. These grants enhance community safety in public spaces.
Libby steers the chat to mini-grants, and Helena confirms that states like Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Florida allocate “leftover” funds to applicants whose initial grant proposals were rejected. Often, rejected applications can be resubmitted for other grants or given a second chance with these smaller funding opportunities.
Final Thoughts from an Experienced Grant Consultant
The interview concludes with a valuable tip from this experienced grant writer and consultant: Always ask for feedback on your grant applications, whether successful or not. Constructive criticism leads to improvement in future applications. To illustrate, Helena shares a personal success story. She recalls a time when a appealed a grant rejection, She took her argument to the State Department of Education and won! This proves the importance of persistence and learning from every experience.
Watch and Learn with GrantTalk
Subscribe to GrantTalk for more insightful discussions with grant writing professionals. Whether you’re new to grant writing or a seasoned pro, this episode with Helena Kosoff Sullivan offers plenty of practical advice on improving your grant applications, building networks, and ensuring the sustainability of your projects.
About GrantWatch
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