140: 9 Ways Food Network Challenges Mirror the Grant Writing Process - by Teresa Huff

<p>Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: <a href= "https://www.teresahuff.com/vip">www.teresahuff.com/vip</a></p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>ROI for Foodies</strong></span></p> <p>I enjoy watching some of the Food Network challenges because it’s fun to discover new baking ideas. While watching an episode last week, I noticed another reason the competitions are so much fun to watch.</p> <p>Grant writers and Food Network competitors go through a similar process in hopes of winning money. To win the prize, we all have to show the judges how they will get a Return on Investment - or in the case of nonprofits, a <a href= "https://teresahuff.com/the-real-roi-of-grant-writing-episode-135/"> Return on Impact</a> - by investing in us.</p> <p>In my <a href= "https://teresahuff.com/the-real-roi-of-grant-writing-episode-135/"> TEDx talk</a>, I explain how the key to writing a winning grant is to show the grant funder the Return on Impact (ROI) they’ll get. Funders aren’t looking for a return on investment like a for-profit business. Instead, grantmakers want to give grants to organizations they know will make an impact on the community, just like the judges on the Food Network want to invest in chefs that will contribute to the baking community and represent the Food Network well.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>9 Ways Food Network Challenges are Like Grant Writing:</strong></span></p> <ol> <li>The judges provide clear instructions and a goal before the competition begins.</li> <li>The competitors can be creative, but they still have to stay within defined parameters.</li> <li>The competitors have to make a <a href= "https://teresahuff.com/write-tight/">reduction</a> to eliminate any fluff or distractions. (Check out Episode 16 for examples of how to do this in grant writing!)</li> <li>The challenge always includes a tight deadline, so competitors have to practice and be prepared to thrive under pressure.</li> <li>Competitors must adapt quickly when mistakes and unexpected hurdles occur.</li