Write from the heart

When writing for donors, our focus on proposal requirements can get in the way of describing what drives programs and inspires new directions. Words that get to the heart of your work may move the reader to give your document a second look. Here’s what I’ve tried.

Identify shared experiences
I pondered how to connect with readers of a concept paper for the early education program of a large public school system. I landed on reading as a shared experience, and described “the spark when a child first learns to read, and the ensuing confidence and mastery that promote curiosity, achievement, and a joy of learning.”

Be creative
I was asked to write a report about diversity initiatives on a college campus. There were lots. To reduce the risk of ‘laundry-listing’, I built on the vibrancy I felt when reading about the work. I described the sense of “belonging and flourishing that builds in talks over coffee and reflects an inclusive environment infused with learning and sharing.”

Use strong words
In one grant, I searched for words to straightforwardly but sensitively convey the challenges faced by traumatized youth new to the U.S. I described “horrific journeys” from their home countries to new neighborhoods where “loitering, bullying, and poorly lit parks are hard realities that keep them indoors and limit possibilities.”

Be brief
I believe narrative such as this can boost the funder’s interest, especially if it’s brief. Over-dramatization doesn’t do justice to the courage and spirit of these young people. Their lives are not soap operas.

Don’t forget the facts
Emotions alone will not secure funding. Hard-hitting data will help convince the reader that your approach will work. Cite enough, but not too much data. Don’t risk losing your readers’ attention, and possibly their emotional investment, with too many facts and figures.

Follow your inspiration
One morning I heard a story on public radio about the mental health effects of the pandemic on teens. I was so moved by the description of one girl’s struggle to get help that I immediately drafted and edited a Short Takes article about the value of writing for young people.

A personal example
Recently I re-read my journal from a trip to Egypt, and was surprised to find that I enjoyed reading my handwritten, unedited writing. This was due, I am certain, to the profound nature of my experience, and especially the stories of Egyptians I was fortunate to meet.

It’s worth the effort
Putting heart into professional writing can be challenging. Consider it anyway. We may help the reader understand why our work is needed when we convey the personal impacts of extraordinary circumstances.