Creative Thinking = Good Grant Writing

3. Does the foundation have specific guidelines? A form? A page limit? Should you include a budget? An annual report? Don’t make it easy for the foundation to reject you. Often, the first applications cut are the ones that didn’t follow the rules. If the guidelines include a page limit, stick to it. If there is an online form that is preferred, use it. If the guidelines ask for additional documents, provide them. Disregarding specific requests is like saying they aren’t important enough for you to bother with. Not taking the time to follow the instructions will only show the foundation that you are not responsible enough to use its funds appropriately. This is the easiest way to have your application killed. Don’t do it.