Summary of "Grant Writing Essentials for Entrepreneurs | PAN-SU Workshop by ourPARTT"

Summary: Grant Writing Essentials for Entrepreneurs

PAN-SU Workshop by ourPARTT

Organizational Context & Strategy

ourPARTT is a civil society movement in Trinidad and Tobago aiming to foster sustainable national development by the country’s 100th independence anniversary. The organization operates through six major projects, including the PAN-SU Collective, which focuses on:

Empowering civil society
Fostering collaboration
Supporting NGOs and social enterprises

The PAN-SU Collective draws inspiration from traditional community governance models (Are Tanat and Suu models), emphasizing community-led problem solving and intergenerational wealth.

Strategic focus:

Building a shared national vision
Influencing policy through participatory democracy
Empowering youth leadership aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Grant Writing Workshop Key Frameworks & Processes

1. Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Grant proposals should emphasize alignment with key SDGs to increase competitiveness, particularly:

SDG 1: No Poverty
SDG 5: Gender Equality
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Aligning with these goals helps access funding from global agencies, especially those based in the Global North.

2. Grant Proposal Components

Typical sections of a grant proposal include:

Executive Summary
Problem Statement: Focus on identifying and solving a problem, not just describing it
Project Goals: Use SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound)
Methodology/Approach
Budget: Line items must match project goals and outcomes
Monitoring & Evaluation Plan: Critical for accountability and future funding eligibility

Monitoring and evaluation are essential as funders require interim reports demonstrating proper fund use and progress.

Proposals must be tailored to each funder’s specific Request for Proposals (RFP) or Call for Proposals. It is recommended to read the document at least three times to ensure full understanding.

3. Grant Writing Best Practices

Avoid generic proposals; customize narratives to reflect funder priorities and values
Ensure perfect grammar and clear, direct language to demonstrate professionalism
Build a team approach: ideally at least three people handling financials, writing, and review
Attend any mandatory preliminary events (Q&A sessions, info sessions) related to the grant
Be realistic about timelines; grant decisions can take 3–6 months or longer
Do not rely on grants for recurring expenses (e.g., salaries, utilities); grants are project-based funding

4. Collaboration & Partnerships

Collaborate with like-minded organizations to increase capacity and competitiveness
Partnerships align with SDG 17 and can help secure larger grants

Key Metrics, KPIs, and Targets

Example: A financial literacy NGO targeting 200 at-risk youths with a 6-month program teaching banking, credit, and savings
Success metrics should be specific and measurable, such as:
- Percentage increase in financial literacy
- Number of certifications obtained
Budget line items must clearly connect to expected outcomes
Monitoring & evaluation reports are required to track fund utilization and project progress

Case Studies & Examples

Caribbean Biodiversity Fund: Grants starting at $400,000 USD targeting blue and green economy projects
OECS Grant Matching Program: $25,000 USD grants awarded to projects such as:
- Island Innovation (Grenada): Training community college graduates on Salesforce to reduce hospitality worker training time by half and increase employability regionally and internationally
- Marketing Hill (Grenada): Boutique hotels collaborating on projects aligned with grant objectives

Note: Early preparation is critical. Ideal grant proposal preparation time is 2–4 weeks; last-minute submissions (e.g., 3 days) are discouraged.

Actionable Recommendations

Register your organization and have key documents ready:
- Proof of registration
- Audited financial statements (2–3 years) or bank statements/financial forecasts if new
Understand and strictly follow funder guidelines on formatting, font, submission process, and deadlines
Use grant writing specialists or consultants to improve proposal quality
Track and document all grant-related activities meticulously to maintain eligibility for future grants
Build organizational capacity around sustainability, partnerships, and measurable impact

Presenters & Sources

An Arian Mis – COO and Co-founder of ourPARTT; Project Manager with 10+ years experience
Rudolph Anami – CEO of ourPARTT; civil society advocate with 25+ years experience
Stephanie Lumley – Facilitator; Founder of Carib Creatives Consulting; grant writing expert with 4 years experience, focused on SDGs and social impact in the Caribbean

This workshop equips entrepreneurs, NGOs, and social enterprises with a structured approach to grant writing emphasizing alignment with SDGs, detailed project planning, and collaboration to increase funding success and sustainable impact.