2024: What Lies Ahead?
(A conversation between MPS Executive Director, Artie Pingolt & MPS Funding Guide Editor, Jennifer Pingolt)
ARTIE PINGOLT: As I look ahead to the new year, 2024, that is exactly the word that comes to mind: “new.” Missionaries should make an effort to do something new in 2024, that is, something that they did not do in 2023. Specifically, I suggest two new things: ONE, writing a grant for a project or program that is new, that they have not asked for before, and TWO, writing to a foundation or foundations that they have not written to before.
QUESTION: What’s your word for the year, Jennifer?
JENNIFER PINGOLT: I am inspired by your word and mine is along the same line. I would encourage grant writers to make “expansion” their guiding force in 2024. Expansion in a variety of areas – from grant writing skill building to casting a wider research net and considering new and different ways to raise funds: perhaps that looks like seeking smaller award amounts from multiple funders for a single project or partnering with another congregation and sharing the financial burden. It’s about Be open to doing things differently in 2024.
When I refer to expansion, I mean not only widening our path, but also going deeper. So that would be something else I’d want folks to consider in 2024. In the book the Seven Habits of Highly Successful People, Steven Covey cites “sharpening the saw” as one of his keys to success. And I think that rings true today. Make grant writing training and skill development an ongoing commitment. Whether you are new to grant writing, or are a seasoned pro. There is ALWAYS something new to learn! Well-written, sharp grant proposals get funded!
QUESTION: Outside of additional training, what other advice do you have for our readers in terms of increasing their funding success in 2024?
ARTIE PINGOLT: Hey, nice reply to my question…or should I say good expansion!? ?
What other advice? I’ll go way back for this one, to the old Chinese proverb: “journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” There is also a second translation of the original Chinese: “a thousand-mile journey begins where one stands.”
What this means is that wherever you are, ‘right now’ is the place where your journey in grant writing begins. There is no perfect place to begin, we will always be busy and perhaps even have reasons to feel discouraged. But we can’t escape where it is that we stand right now. Just jump in and begin the journey!
QUESTION: OK, Jennifer, you get the last word. So far, we have our words of the year (new and expansion), sharpened saws and a thousand-mile journey. What is one last thing you would want to give our missionaries as they start 2024? (and keep it short, they’re busy people! ?)
JENNIFER PINGOLT:
I don’t often get the last word, so I consider it an honor to bring our conversation to a close. In keeping with your analogy of grant writing being a journey – my final bit of advice is to not go it alone in 2024. There are so many resources available to help you on along the way: from the MPS Funding Guide and our GW 101 online, on-demand grant writing course, to Google search and various blogs, YouTube videos and forums dedicated to grant writing. I encourage you to network with other grant writers (along with foundation staff) and create your own grant writing support circle where you can share ideas and solicit feedback.
GOD: And of course, don’t forget to pray for all the good things you need to love and serve the people I have given you! We’re all in this together. ?