Lesson Learned

I realized that I tend to always tell everyone about the good stuff when it comes to grant writing. However, I have hit a couple speed bumps lately. I have been trying to fund a new asset building program, but needed seed money of 1 million. So, technically this wasn't grant writing, and more like fundraising (aka begging). Asking for money face to face is just the worst. Imagine just me on one side of the massive board room table with two people on the other side. They ask how much do you need, and I have to throw out a number. This is actually a very strategic conversation- reading the room, their enthusiasm for the project and considering their financial situation. Today, was an off day- nothing went right in this meeting. Nothing is worse than asking for money and getting an immediate response of NO. It's just awkard- how do you wrap that up? How do you leave and still save face? It's awful. I rather just sit on the couch and write grants then go beg for money in person- it's AWFUL!