Grant Writing for Photographers 101

Grant Writing for Photographers 101

Todd Hido, Compé 12 Judge and Barbara Diener, Juror s Award recipient CONTENTS Introduction...2 Find appropriate funders for your project...4 Write a high-quality proposal and submit it properly...8 Establish and maintain meaningful relationships with funders...12 Take advantage of available resources...15 About Onward & Project Basho...16

2 Grant Writing for Photographers 101 Introduction Many of us have brilliant ideas but lack the resources to make our projects happen. Grants are one major type of funding that photographers can use to actualize their creative visions. When it comes to obtaining financial support through foundation grants, there are established procedures for finding appropriate funders, submitting inquiries and proposals, and maintaining fundraising relationships. Getting the hang of these procedures can be daunting for artists who have little experience in the business world. But with a little guidance from us here at ONWARD, we think you ll find that the process is totally doable.

Francis Crisafio, Holdup in the Hood #2

4 Grant Writing for Photographers 101 Find appropriate funders for your project: Search online for state, county and city arts councils that fund projects in your area In the United States, every state has an arts council, and many cities and counties do as well. Many of these agencies make their own grants and also offer assistance to help artists find other financial support. Use the Foundation Center database to compile a list potential funders The Foundation Center maintains a large database of grant makers which is searchable online to subscribers. The database is also available for free at hundreds of libraries and resource centers throughout the United States. Make sure you are a type of applicant the funder usually supports Review each potential funder s history of grant making. Search for organizations that have funded photography projects in the past. Carefully review each potential funder s website to learn about its goals and interests Funders are usually specific about what sorts of things they are interested in supporting. If your work doesn t match their focus, move on.

Thomas Jackson, Cheese Balls

6 Grant Writing for Photographers 101 Find appropriate funders for your project (continued): Identify funders who value the way your project will make a difference in the world Consider the broader significance of your project to evaluate each funder s suitability. Funders want to effect positive change, so be prepared to explain how supporting your project will do that. Make preliminary inquiries to find out if funders are right for you Discuss the suitability of your proposal with grant makers before submission. If you think an organization s interests match your work, contact that funder by email or phone and ask for a meeting. In-person meetings are the best way to find out if funders are likely to give your proposal serious consideration. Find out if funders want you to send a letter of inquiry before submitting a full proposal Grant makers usually have a process for fielding inquiries. This may include submitting a short formal letter describing your work. If your letter of inquiry indicates that your work coincides with the funder s goals, you will be invited to submit a full grant proposal.

Yoko Ishii, Go to Work

8 Grant Writing for Photographers 101 Write a high-quality proposal and submit it properly: Note that while photography is an artistic process, grant writing is a business process Most people who review grant proposals are trying to manage many requests similar to yours. Make their job easy, and make yourself look attractive, by following the standard procedures put in place to guide the submission process. Remember that a well-written letter of inquiry is often crucial to securing funding Take just as much care with your letter of inquiry as you do with your full proposal. Because these letters must be both succinct and thorough, they can be challenging to write well. Use resources from trusted organizations to guide your writing. Grant writing should be clear, succinct and persuasive Your prose should be business-like and understandable to non-experts. Explain your work as straightforwardly as you can, and avoid jargon and buzz-words. Be clear about how much money you are looking for Failing to ask for a specific dollar amount is a classic mistake! Don t be afraid to state your desired figure several times in your proposal.

Photography is an artistic process but the grant writing is a business process. Ken Goldman

10 Grant Writing for Photographers 101 Write a high-quality proposal and submit it properly (continued): Be positive but avoid self-aggrandizing Describe seriously how your project will make a difference in the world, but be careful to avoid making unfounded claims about the importance of your work, and do not be critical of others. Get feedback about your inquiry letter or proposal from trusted friends and colleagues Careful proofreading and editing are necessary to produce good writing. Identify people you know who are good writers, and ask them to read your proposal and make suggestions to improve it. Follow all rules and procedures that guide the grant submission process Be sure that your proposal is complete, organized according to the specifications, and sent to the proper address. It is absolutely essential that you submit all materials before the deadline. Failure to adhere to the guidelines makes it easy for funders to say no. If the funder does not have specific guidelines, follow the standard format Successful grant proposals are formulaic, and yours should be too. Standard formats can be found online and are available in numerous books at your local library.

Kathleen McLaughlin, Ileana and Valerica, Sirbi, Maramures, 2013

12 Grant Writing for Photographers 101 Establish and maintain meaningful relationships with funders: Donors invest in ideas and people they believe in Personal connections are essential to successful fundraising. Funders only believe in people they know well and trust. It is not always possible to form a meaningful relationship, but it is always worth trying. Make personal contact with potential funders and follow up Arrange an in-person meeting to ask for preliminary feedback before submitting a proposal. If a meeting is not possible, schedule a telephone appointment. Ask potential funders to review drafts of the materials you hope to submit. If your proposal is rejected, ask how you can be more competitive in the future. Once the grant is funded, offer thanks immediately and stay in touch regularly Be sure to express your gratitude for the support you receive. Make frequent contact to provide updates and offer chances for funders to get more involved or informed about your work.

Dean Hanley, Hanging Sheets

14 Grant Writing for Photographers 101 Establish and maintain meaningful relationships with funders (continued): Good fund raising is year-round work and shouldn t happen only when you need support It is a big mistake to make contact only to ask for money. Remember that successful fundraising is based on meaningful relationships which must be maintained consistently. Always strive to understand and be sensitive to funders needs Keep in mind that forging strong funding relationships is largely about listening and understanding what others need. Your fundamental goal should be to establish trust by being open and honest, and following through on your obligations.

Grant Writing for Photographers 101 15 Take advantage of additional resources from ONWARD: There are many things to keep in mind as you search for grant makers, prepare your proposals, and communicate with funders. But you can stay confident by using resources like this to guide you along the way. Be sure to check the ONWARD Source site for further information on funding and more. ONWARD Source is a repository for valuable information, practical guidance, and inspiration, from a community of like-minded photographers. - The information for this guide was kindly supplied by Ken Goldman, Senior Associate Vice President & Chief Philanthropic Officer at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA.

16 View of Compé 13 exhibition, curated by Mark Steinmetz ABOUT ONWARD ONWARD Compé is an international photography competition for emerging photographers, produced by Project Basho. Juried each year by a leading figure in contemporary photography, ONWARD Compé spotlights new, envelope-pushing work that continues to further the medium. Now in its seventh year, Compé has solidified its standing as a highly respected international competition, drawing submissions from across the U.S. and around the globe. The competition seeks to increase the exposure of talented imagemakers, create outlets for artists work, and present compelling photographs in a cohesive and well-curated exhibition. The exhibition of selected photographers images culminates in the ONWARD Summit, an annual photography festival held in Philadelphia. Along with Compé and Summit, ONWARD maintains the Galerie website, an online gallery featuring selected photographers, as well as specialized Workshops for discerning photographers. ABOUT PROJECT BASHO Project Basho is a photography resource center located on Germantown Avenue in Old Kensington, an artist-concentrated and culturally vibrant section of Philadelphia. It is a small yet dedicated organization run by photographers, for photographers. With the community darkroom as the locus of the program, Project Basho offers introductory and advanced digital and analog photography classes, as well as specialized workshops on historical processes and other topics in photography. Project Basho is committed to reintroducing photography to Philadelphia by providing a space that is conducive to the advancement of the medium, fostering a vibrant culture of photography through an array of educational programs such as informal critiques, lectures, and panel discussions. Project Basho also houses a gallery space, featuring unique architectural details and a 14 ft foot ceiling that foster a spacious, yet intimate viewing environment. Project Basho Gallery is a place where visually arresting photographs and educated viewers can meet to appreciate the beauty of the craft and the vision of the medium.

www.onwardphoto.org