How We Got the Grant: The Design Coop's Recipe for Funding Success

A collection of coins

We're thrilled to share that the design coop secured a grant to build a thriving community of practice! Here's a peek behind the curtain of the key ingredients that helped us turn our vision into reality:

1. We Identified a Real Need (and Articulated It Clearly):

• We didn't just have a cool idea; we saw a genuine gap. Artists, cultural workers, and leaders needed a space to connect, collaborate, and solve shared challenges.

• We backed this up with research, looking at the challenges identified by Hill Strategies and other sources.

• We didn't just say "we think this is needed," we showed why.

2. We Built a Community-Centric Solution:

• Our project wasn't about us; it was about them. We focused on creating a space for their needs.

• We designed sessions that addressed real-world problems: Community Solutions, Leadership Development, and focused workshops.

• We made inclusivity a priority, inviting diverse voices to shape the community.

3. We Aligned with Funders' Priorities:

• We didn't just throw our idea at any funder. We targeted those whose goals matched our project's.

• We directly addressed the Canada Council for the Arts' strategic plan, emphasising equity, diversity, and inclusion.

• We did our homework, and made sure that our project was a direct answer to their goals.

4. We Created a Clear and Measurable Impact Plan:

• "Impact" is a buzzword, but we made it real. We outlined how our project would increase visibility, build bridges, and enhance skills.

• We didn't just claim success; we defined how we'd measure it: community engagement, knowledge gained, increased visibility.

• We provided clear metrics and how we would gather that data.

5. We Demonstrated Our Capacity to Deliver:

• We didn't just have a good idea; we showed we could execute it.

• We presented a well-structured plan with clear deliverables and timelines.

• We showed our past successes, and our ability to follow through.

6. We Fostered Collaboration and Partnership:

• We showed that we were aiming to build a community, and that we were already working to build a community.

• We made it clear that we were aiming for collaboration.

7. We Wrote a Compelling Narrative:

• Grant applications aren't just about facts; they're about stories. We wove a narrative that resonated with the funders' values.

• We painted a picture of the impact our project would have on the arts community.

8. We Paid Attention to the Details:

• We double-checked everything: grammar, formatting, deadlines.

• We made sure our application was clear, concise, and professional.

9. We Followed Up (Respectfully):

• We showed our continued interest, and gratitude.

10. We Remained Passionate and Persistent:

• Grant writing can be a long process and we received many rejection letters (or worse, no news at all.) We stayed passionate, and persistent.

We hope this listicle inspires you to pursue your own grant-winning dreams! If you need some more advice get in touch for some grant coaching!