Grant applications are often straightforward to follow but time-consuming. Don’t wait until the last minute to send in an application, as you may find yourself rushing around to make photocopies or prepare a demo CD and thus are more likely to make mistakes or miss a part of the application.

Tips on Making an Orchestral Audition Recording

• Always read guidelines and instructions carefully and follow them to the letter. Always submit a grant on time and in the requested format.
• Don’t try to make the grantor’s program fit what you want to do–your program must be in line with the funding agency’s priorities.
• Keep your goals realistic! Grantors want to know if projects will be successful, will meet their goals, and that those goals are measurable.
• Be creative and compelling. Grants may be won or lost on the quality of ideas proposed. Grant writers talk about the “hook,” the sentence that tailors the project description to the interest of a funder.
• Have clearly definable goals and objectives. You may also be asked to define an audience for your project or how it fits a grant’s wider (i.e. educational or historical) goals.
• Propose a reasonable, detailed budget and timetable. Do your homework on costs prior to submitting your application.
• Clarity is very important. Have someone you trust, preferably with good writing skills, read and critique your application.
• Proofread! Spelling and grammar errors do not convey a positive or professional image. It’s a good idea to draft statements and longer items of the application before preparing a final version.
• Choose partners wisely. If working collaboratively, make sure your partner is trustworthy, shares your vision, and shares the leg work.
• If unsuccessful, follow-up with the funding agency nevertheless. Sometimes, not always, it will be able to give a critique of your application or reasons why certain projects were successful.