How can you communicate the impact of your grant-funded project to different sectors?

If you are a grant administrator, you know how important it is to communicate the impact of your grant-funded project to different sectors. Whether you are reporting to your funders, your stakeholders, your beneficiaries, or the public, you need to tailor your message to suit their needs and interests. In this article, we will share some tips on how to do that effectively and efficiently.

1 Know your audience

The first step to communicate the impact of your grant-funded project is to know who you are talking to. Different sectors have different expectations, preferences, and goals when it comes to grant-funded projects. For example, your funders may want to see how you used their money wisely and achieved your objectives, your stakeholders may want to see how you collaborated with them and addressed their concerns, your beneficiaries may want to see how you improved their lives and solved their problems, and the public may want to see how you contributed to social good and innovation. Therefore, you need to identify your audience and understand what they care about, what they value, and what they want to hear from you.

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Andrea Nero, PhD

Harvard-Educated Historian of Science | Fortune 500 Data Collection and AI Consultant | Nonprofit Development & Advancement Expert | Nero Philanthropic Foundation President
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Find common ground. For example, I run development for an arts and culture nonprofit, but I want to apply for a grant administered by a political family foundation whose patriarch was most interested in labor law. The project I want to fund helps access to the arts for low income individuals through free passes and transportation. In researching the family, I discovered that they live in rural areas, where transportation is the biggest issue. I made my grant ask specifically for funding to expand the transportation portion of our project so that I aligned with the family’s values.

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2 Choose your format

The next step to communicate the impact of your grant-funded project is to choose the best format for your message. Depending on your audience and your purpose, you may use different formats to convey your impact, such as reports, newsletters, case studies, stories, testimonials, infographics, videos, podcasts, or webinars. Each format has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you need to consider the following factors when choosing one: the level of detail, the tone and style, the visual appeal, the accessibility, the interactivity, and the cost and time. For example, if you want to provide a comprehensive and formal report to your funders, you may use a written document with charts and tables, but if you want to showcase a personal and emotional story to your beneficiaries, you may use a video or a podcast.

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Emily Faulconer

Senior Lecturer (AU) Associate Professor (US) | Championing Humanization of STEM Education
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I have found it immensely helpful to create a Research Summary document (RSD) that presents key information about the grant project. The first page goes over the grant details including the goals and objectives, as well as the key accomplishments. The next few pages sequentially present key aspects of the project. For example, one RSD I created presented the key takeaways from each publication that resulted from the study, including a figure, image, or table that best complemented the study. The final page outlines what is next for the project. Ultimately, we disseminated our RSD by securing a DOI and sharing the document in appropriate venues both internally and externally.

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3 Highlight your outcomes

The third step to communicate the impact of your grant-funded project is to highlight your outcomes. Outcomes are the changes or benefits that result from your project activities and outputs. They are the evidence of your impact and the value of your work. To highlight your outcomes, you need to use clear and specific language, quantify and qualify your results, link your outcomes to your goals and indicators, and compare your outcomes to your baseline and benchmarks. For example, instead of saying "we provided training to 100 people", you can say "we increased the skills and knowledge of 100 people by 50%, as measured by pre- and post-tests, which enabled them to find better jobs and earn higher incomes".

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4 Tell a story

The fourth step to communicate the impact of your grant-funded project is to tell a story. Stories are powerful tools to engage and persuade your audience, as they appeal to their emotions, values, and imagination. Stories can also illustrate your outcomes in a more vivid and relatable way, by showing how your project made a difference in the lives of real people or communities. To tell a story, you need to follow a simple structure: introduce the characters and the context, describe the challenge or problem they faced, explain how your project helped them overcome it, and share the impact or change they experienced. For example, you can tell a story of how a woman who participated in your training program gained confidence and started her own business, or how a village that received your water supply project improved its health and sanitation.

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Lynne Viccaro O'Leary

Executive Leader in Advancement, Development & Strategic Communications | MBA in Management and Leadership
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Make it real and make it authentic - whatever communication conduit you decide to use - video - print - etc - it should be professional but not overly stylized or produced. Let the beneficiary of your good work guide the story in their words and make sure that it is consistent with your messaging and mission.

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5 Use data and visuals

The fifth step to communicate the impact of your grant-funded project is to use data and visuals. Data and visuals can support and enhance your message, by providing facts, figures, and evidence of your impact. They can also make your message more attractive, memorable, and understandable, by breaking down complex information and showing patterns, trends, and relationships. To use data and visuals, you need to follow some best practices: choose the most relevant and reliable data sources, use appropriate and accurate methods and tools to analyze and present your data, use simple and clear language and labels, use colors and shapes that match your brand and message, and cite your data sources and references.

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6 Invite feedback

The sixth and final step to communicate the impact of your grant-funded project is to invite feedback. Feedback is essential to improve your communication skills and strategies, as well as your project performance and impact. Feedback can help you understand how your audience perceived and responded to your message, what they liked and disliked, what they learned and remembered, and what they want to know more about. To invite feedback, you need to use different methods and channels, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, online forums, social media, or email. You also need to be open and respectful to your feedback providers, thank them for their time and input, and act on their suggestions and recommendations.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Syed Atif Raza Kazmi

IFAD Accredited FMC | Grants Management | Resource Mobilization | Financial Planning | Financial Reporting | Financial Analyst | Treasurer
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Tailor the communication to resonate with sectors’ interests and values. Develop a clear narrative that highlights the purpose, goals, and achievements of the project. Employ a variety of communication channels i.e. press releases, social media, and community events, to reach different sectors. Provide evidence of the tangible outcomes and impact. Showcase before-and-after scenarios or case studies to illustrate the positive changes. Actively engage with stakeholders through surveys, feedback, and other forms of interaction. Regularly update stakeholders on the progress and maintain an open line of communication. Highlight opportunities for collaboration and partnerships with different stakeholders.

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How can you communicate the impact of your grant-funded project to different sectors?

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2

3

4

5

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1 Know your audience

2 Choose your format

3 Highlight your outcomes

4 Tell a story

5 Use data and visuals

6 Invite feedback

7 Here’s what else to consider

Grant Administration

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How can you communicate the impact of your grant-funded project to different sectors?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Know your audience

2 Choose your format

3 Highlight your outcomes

4 Tell a story

5 Use data and visuals

6 Invite feedback

7 Here’s what else to consider

Grant Administration

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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