Episode #88
In this episode, Jennifer is joined by Aria Velz to talk about grant writing. With nearly a decade of grant writing experience, she sheds light on the nuances of grant writing, emphasizing the lack of formal training in this crucial non-profit sphere. They distinguish grants from individual donations and corporate sponsorships, highlighting the parameters involved in grant applications. They provide valuable insights into the intricacies of grant writing, stressing the importance of tailoring proposals to fit the guidelines and showcasing the project's alignment with the grantor's mission. They emphasize the importance of proving the necessity of your project, crafting compelling narratives, developing templates, organizing the backend of your materials, and being prepared for setbacks. They also share practical tips on finding grants, keeping in mind ethical considerations, and emphasizing the need for alignment with the values of funding organizations when applying. Whether you're a seasoned grant writer or a newcomer, this episode offers invaluable advice and strategies for successfully navigating the grant writing landscape.
About Our Guest
Aria Velz is a theater director and a freelance grant writer in the DC area. She specializes in grants for theatre and other performing arts institutions, having worked with over a dozen theatre organizations in the DC area alone, as well as writing grants with individual theater artists. When not working in theatre, she is a lesbian media enthusiast and critic, mainly on TikTok.
