How to Avoid Burnout as a Grant Writer: Practical Tips for Keeping Your Cool
How to Avoid Burnout as a Grant Writer: Practical Tips for Keeping Your Cool
By Julie Weese
If I come across one more article suggesting that a simple walk can magically enhance productivity, I might lose my mind. Let me clarify—I’m not here to lecture you on the virtues of self-care, even if I do love a good candle. Yes, stepping away to recharge can indeed reignite our motivation, but we’re concentrating on our craft as grant writers. Here are some tips for keeping the work flowing when you’re feeling spread too thin.
Ounce of Prevention = Pound of the Cure
Establishing logical work processes is essential to maintaining one’s sanity. From handling your inbox to determining when you’re writing a specific grant, write step-by-step instructions that someone else could read and follow. Documenting your work processes can offer valuable insights, allowing you a bird's-eye view of your strengths and weaknesses. This approach helps streamline your efforts and leads you towards that elusive and efficient workflow we all strive for.
Maintaining a detailed and up-to-date grant calendar is vital for a grant writer’s success. Keeping your grant calendar current allows you to spot emerging funding sources that align with your organization’s goals and timelines. Grant calendars typically include key deadlines, application requirements, previous funding, and new funding opportunities tailored to your organization’s mission. Funders frequently change their point of contact, focus areas, geographic areas covered, and how grants are submitted. By staying organized, you can ensure you never miss important submission dates and are always prepared to engage with potential and renewing funders.
A well-stocked writer’s reference document is another valuable tool for maximizing your efforts. Think of it as a one-stop convenience shop. Instead of hunting across three stores for what you need, it’s all in one place, ready to grab and go. The document should be specific to your organization and contain most of what you need to write a proposal. This could include mission and vision statements, frequently asked proposal questions, contact information, and social media links.
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
I'm not referring to your soda cans; I'm talking about the invaluable resources already at your fingertips. If you've previously crafted proposals that have garnered approval from clients or leadership, don’t hesitate to use them! Of course, it’s essential to tailor the content to align with the current proposal's specific focus and the funder's unique interests. Utilizing this approach not only streamlines your workflow but also alleviates the pressures of proposal writing—it's efficiency in disguise!
Reusing previously approved language can smooth out the approval process, making it less of a grind. So, if you’re not motivated to do it for yourself, think of your manager, who might be navigating their seventeenth review of the month. Remember, you cannot plagiarize your own ideas, so why not maximize the return on your hard work?
Stay in Your Lane
Veronica Kulon, a Senior Grant Consultant and Learning Specialist at Resurgens Impact Consulting, explains that one of the unseen challenges grant writers face is inadvertently causing an organization to rely too heavily on grant funding.
“Organizations sometimes make the mistake of depending too heavily on grants without diversifying their funding sources, which can lead to financial instability if grant renewals are uncertain.”
Grant writers are an ambitious group, fueled by an intense desire to succeed. We possess a relentless drive, eager to celebrate victories and secure funding for worthy causes. However, this fervor can sometimes lead us to overpromise, writing checks with our enthusiasm that our words cannot cash.
Many nonprofits seeking grant writers' expertise often lack a comprehensive understanding of the grant landscape, resulting in unrealistic expectations regarding the speed and volume of funding that can be achieved. Learning to say “no” diplomatically is an important tool for avoiding burnout in one’s personal and professional tool kit.
To avoid dissatisfaction on both sides, clarify the precise parameters of what your employer or client expects right from the start. This foresight helps to bridge any gaps in understanding and aligns ambitions with achievable goals on both sides.
Be a Collaborator, Not a Competitor
“Call on me, brother, when you need a hand.” -Bill Withers
Navigating the grant writing field can feel like being in a shark tank at feeding time. With so many nonprofits vying for the same funding, it can be challenging to foster a sense of camaraderie. This intense and competitive atmosphere breeds feelings of isolation, stifles opportunities for professional growth, and undermines the altruistic values that many grant writers hold dear. When grant writers engage in honest, open discussions with their peers, knowledge is transformed into a valuable community resource. By collaborating instead of competing, we not only enhance our individual skills but also cultivate a supportive network that fuels growth and creativity.
Grant writing can be an incredibly rewarding career, but the fast-paced nature of the work gives ample opportunity for exhaustion. Establishing good writing habits like having structured work routines, reusing vetted language, drawing boundaries, and leaning on other writers will reduce the risk of burnout.
Just remember…
Be Prepared.
Repurpose.
Know your limits.
Collaborate.
You’ve got this!
