47. How to Bring Your Best Self to Grant Applications - Dulari Gandhi
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Overview
Meet Dulari. She's a triple threat (in a nice way) in the philanthropic sector as one of the program officers at the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, strategic communications professional and social justice pursuer. She's working to eliminate youth living in poverty with the Dell Foundation, and she's walking us through how to bring our best selves to grant applications. She's wicked smart and has the kindness to help us build a solid bridge between foundations and our missions.
Today’s Guest
Dulari Gandhi, Program Officer, Michael and Susan Dell Foundation
“You’re making an application for someone to join your organization from the outside as an advisor, a trusted friend, and somebody you can ask advice from. ”
The importance of storytelling in the grant application process
Think through all of the steps in the application process as puzzle pieces
Use the “explain it like I’m 5” rule
Foundations need to make their expectations clear for organizations. The more information that is out there, the better
Questions to ask yourself and your organization as you are preparing for the application process
Dulari’s tips on how to bring our best selves to the grant application process
Funders are people too. They want to join you as a partner on your project and mission
The Dell Foundation’s generous support of our communities throughout COVID-19
Take the risk your challenge deserves
D. Gandhi Communications and Dulari’s work with nonprofits
Dulari’s One Good Thing: Bring yourself out of fear, and operate out of strength.
Powerful Quotes:
“The Dell Foundation works to support youth living in poverty in our cities through education, health, and economic stability. We work nationally in the US, and internationally in India and South Africa.” -Dulari
“The last year has been a lesson in flexibility and learning as you go.” -Dulari
“If we are able to think through all of the different pieces of the grant application as puzzle pieces. Be thorough, and make sure you have all the information for all of the puzzle pieces.” -Dulari
“We treat grants as a transactional part of our business, and that is wrong.” -Becky
“I love to use the internet’s “explain it like I’m 5” rule. I can’t be a good ambassador for your work inside of my organization if I don’t understand it.” -Dulari
“Foundations need to make their expectations clear for organizations. The more information out there for organizations to use, the better.” -Dulari
“You’re making an application for someone to join your organization from the outside as an advisor, a trusted friend, and somebody you can ask advice from. “ -Dulari
“I’m a big fan of no surprises. I should be able to talk at length to all of the information in the application.” -Dulari
“A lot of our existing grantees have had to pivot on a dime during COVID-19. Things that were years in the making were upended to immediately help those that needed it.” -Dulari
“I can’t say enough about our founders and their generosity.” -Dulari
“Is is all about anticipating needs at the same time as listening to people telling you the current needs.” -Dulari
questions to ask yourself as you prep the application
What do you do?
How do you do it?
How does this project factor into that larger mission?
What makes this project different from others like it?
How to bring our best selves to grant applications
Tell a good story.
Provide consistent, concise, and clear information. Funders can’t be ambassadors for your organization if they don’t understand it.
First impressions matter.
An impactful, cold email can help you. In this digital age, connections can be made online.
Make every conversation worth it. What can you advance?
Remember: funders are people too. Their intention is to be involved as a partner in your project and initiative.
There is so much work that is done before the application process. Build the right ideas and have the right conversations. The paperwork is the last step.
Connect with Dulari
LinkedIn / D.Gandhi Communications
