8 tips for grant submissions

Entering a juried art show is a lot like submitting a grant. At least that was my experience. Earlier this month, I was notified that my photography submission was selected for a national juried art exhibition that opens in June. Of the 535 submissions, only 89 were selected by the three jurors – about a 17% acceptance rate.

That’s a fairly low acceptance rate and yet, best practices in the grant world indicate to aim for at least a 20% acceptance rate with grantors.

So, if you are frustrated about learning of rejections in the first quarter from last year’s grant cycles, take a minute to review these tips for grant applications – and art submissions.

1.  Is the opportunity appropriate for your organization’s capacity?

2.  How would you describe the mission alignment – spot on? Mediocre? A reach? If an art exhibition is seeking portrait submissions, a breathtaking landscape still will not qualify, likewise with misdirected focus areas.

3.  Follow all directions. Read all the grant guidelines completely, then read them again.

4.  Before contacting the program officer, read every web page about the grant and funder, including the FAQs. Your question may be answered.

5.  Know and respect the submission deadline. 11:59 p.m. does not mean 12 a.m. Submit on time – emergencies happen, websites crash, portals get “hiccups.”

6.  If the funder provides an outline with the application, follow it.

7.  Make your work funder specific. That means letters of support, program budgets, outcomes, stories and statements of need should all address the funder’s priorities, requirements and past giving trends.

8.  Seek to build a relationship for long term.

In my case, I was quite familiar with the juried exhibition – a relationship that spanned several years. I viewed the juried show every year, knew the philosophy of the sponsors, read the jurors’ bios every year. I basically becoming a student of the multi-media exhibition. The time spent was worth it! Do the same with your grant applications and it will be time well spent.

Note: the image that accompanies this blog, is not my selected photo for the juried exhibition. You’ll have to follow me on LinkedIn to see that next month!