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Quick Tips to Strengthen Your Grant Proposals with Correlative Data

Updated: Jan 27

By: Ashley Ragsdale, KHS Consulting Content Manager
By: Ashley Ragsdale, KHS Consulting Content Manager

As you start building momentum around your grant strategy this year, now is the time to freshen up your grant content. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or newer to the field, it's helpful to keep in mind how solid, relevant facts and figures can enhance your story and give proposals the impact they need to secure funding.


To provide some excellent perspective around the importance of using both direct and correlative data to strengthen proposals, we’re featuring one of KHS Consulting’s talented content managers: Ashley Ragsdale. Ashley brings a unique perspective to the team, with experience as a Kindergarten teacher, mastering the art of collecting and using data to drive meaningful outcomes. She now applies that same expertise and passion to help nonprofits tell their stories in a way that inspires and secures funding. Each of our team members brings their own unique and valuable perspectives to our work, and we’ll be showcasing more of our team’s insights in the coming months. 


Before joining the KHS team, I taught Kindergarten for 10 years. I have so many good memories of sweet students and fun lessons, but one of the things that sticks out in my head is all of the data that we had to collect! We had data meetings often and were constantly talking about where our students were currently at academically, where we wanted them to be and how we could best support their learning to get them to the end goal. 


I had a love-hate relationship with data while teaching. I loved it because it’s useful, helpful and necessary to learn what my students know in order to plan highly effective instruction. But… It was also a PROCESS to gain the data I needed. I had to assess students individually, in groups, as a whole class, on paper, on the computer, in a box, on a fox, with two socks… You get the point. Have you ever tried to get 26 five year olds, with multiple primary languages, to all take an assessment at the same time on a computer they have never used before at the beginning of their first ever school year? Let’s just say that was never my favorite day of the school year. 


As I have transitioned into my new role as a grant writer and content manager, I’ve realized that a large portion of my job is to help our clients tell their story. And a big part of their story is the data we can share about the great things they are doing and the tangible ways they are making a difference in people’s lives. It would be wonderful if every nonprofit organization had assessment tools and data to support every part of their work for us to include in grant applications. But, sometimes, just like Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Ragsdale in August, that direct data may not be available. That’s where we are able to bring correlative data into the mix. 


By definition, correlation is a mutual relationship or connection between two things. So, we can use data points from other resources and studies to back up our case and the organization’s goals with relevant data from other sources, thus making a stronger case for funding. We like to follow these guidelines: 


  1. Relevancy - Make sure the data points are relevant to both the funder’s mission and to the organization’s goals. There should be a strong tie between the point being made and the data used. 

  2. Reputable Sources - Use data from trustworthy organizations and that is backed up with evidence. 

  3. Recent Data - Use the most updated, relevant data available. 

  4. Recognition - Cite the sources used and make it clear that data points are to be used in correlation with the case for funding being made. 


Both quantitative and qualitative correlative data have an important role in helping tell an organization’s story. While quantitative data can give statistical backing to the case for funding, qualitative data is able to provide context and help tell a compelling story about the need for funding.


The KHS team has found a number of helpful resources to tell our clients’ stories and advocate for funding - which are available for your use in our Correlative Data Resources guide. If you find this guide helpful, visit our Resource Center. We’ll be rolling out additional templates, guides, and more with the upcoming launch of our new website later this month, so check back soon. 


I am honored that I get to be a part of helping tell the stories of the amazing things our clients are doing and the impact they are making in Central Indiana. 

 

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Hi, I'm Kristi

Throughout my career, I’ve watched organization after organization hire consultants that are ineffective or don't take time to truly understand your organization. You're left without an actionable plan
or a mess to clean up
after they walk out the door.  

I’m committed to meeting you where you are and walking alongside you to build a plan that translates your vision into action now and into the future.

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