The Importance of rootED Relationships in Grant Writing by rootED’s Grant Writer Karin Niemuth
As a licensed clinical social worker who has spent the majority of my career within the nonprofit world, I am familiar with the importance of Relationship, with a capital R. Relationship covers a varied assortment of connections; all types of relationships - between client and professional, colleagues, organizational leadership, and community. But Relationship is more than a connection. A solid, respected Relationship is based on trust, mutual understanding, open communication, and equality. Switching from direct client-professional relationship to the grant writing space has been quite natural for me because I value Relationship. In my career, working with the most vulnerable populations in our marginalized communities, I have learned that Relationship is the key needed to accomplish our shared set-out goals and objectives, whether our time working together is brief or long-term.
In my first experience working with the leader of a small non-profit within an urban setting, our mutual understanding around the importance of equitable access for crucial youth programming and public health education allowed us to quickly build a strong Relationship. In the non-profit space, those of us with a passion for helping others and utilizing our separate and unique skill sets fosters a trusting, communicative process to work toward prospective grant opportunities.
My Role and Your Role: What is the difference?
It is critical that you, the grant seeker, understand the importance of Relationship with the foundation while emphasizing the values and priorities of your organization. As a grant writer, I can use my knowledge and expertise of the grant world to identify and make connections with the foundations best suited and most likely to invest in your organization. I can provide the right language for your organization’s goals and objectives, an effective Letter of Inquiry (LOI), and winning grant proposals because I know and have Relationship with you. You, though, are the key in establishing a strong Relationship with the foundation, so that the mission and vision of your work is more than just an application on a desk or screen, it is an open line of communication. There is power in building Relationships. Everyone wins.
One final note: For me, this work is personal. As an experienced social worker and grant writer, I am committed to fostering and maintaining Relationship in striving to research, identify, draft and submit the necessary grant proposals to assist organizations in obtaining critical funding to organize, create, and continue their important work within their individual communities. I sincerely enjoy building Relationship with each organization, understanding its history, purpose, and aspirations. Whether it be for a predetermined amount of time or within an ongoing contract, cultivating the ability to work together within Relationship is key.
How important is Relationship with those you work with?
A Note from Erin: My fundraising clients LOVE working with Karin. If you have any interest in working with us on your fundraising strategy including grants, send us an email: erin@rootedlife.info. We can’t wait to hear from you. And finally, Happy Valentine’s Day!