Selling Your Vision: Daniel O. Livvarcin, PhD on Grant Application Strategy

In a recent LinkedIn post, Daniel O. Livvarcin, PhD discusses the critical art of grant writing, drawing a parallel between the persuasive techniques needed for securing funding and the iconic “sell me this pen” scene from The Wolf of Wall Street. Livvarcin, PhD emphasizes that grant applications are fundamentally about convincing a funder to invest in a project, a process that requires more than just describing activities.

According to Daniel O. Livvarcin, PhD, applicants cannot assume funders will automatically grasp the value, urgency, or potential impact of their ideas. Instead, they must actively demonstrate these elements. He highlights a framework for a strong project, which he terms the “5I” model:

“Innovative — Offer a fresh, practical, or improved approach.
Inspiring — Give the funder a reason to believe in the vision.
Inclusive — Partner with diverse stakeholders and reflect different voices, experiences, and needs.
Impactful — Create meaningful and measurable change.
Investable — Demonstrate that your organization has the capacity, plan, and credibility to deliver.”

The Crucial Difference: Activities vs. Value Proposition

Daniel O. Livvarcin, PhD observes that many organizations possess excellent project concepts but falter in their grant applications by merely detailing the steps involved. He points out that these applications often answer the required questions and provide background information but fail to articulate a compelling case for why the project deserves financial support.

“Many organizations have excellent ideas, but their applications only describe activities. They answer the questions, provide background information, and submit the form without clearly communicating why the project deserves support,” Livvarcin, PhD writes.

As Daniel O. Livvarcin, PhD argues, funders need a clear understanding of the project’s significance, its timeliness, and the applicant organization’s suitability to lead it. This involves more than just stating facts; it requires building a persuasive narrative.

Making Value Undeniable

Daniel O. Livvarcin, PhD stresses the importance of making a project’s value evident and compelling. He uses the “sell me this pen” analogy to underscore that a grant application is a sales pitch. The goal is not just to present an idea, but to persuade the funder of its worth and the applicant’s capacity to execute it successfully.

“Your project may be valuable. Your grant application must make that value impossible to miss,” Daniel O. Livvarcin, PhD states emphatically. He concludes with a direct call to action for applicants:

“Don’t simply submit your project idea. Sell it.”

This perspective from Daniel O. Livvarcin, PhD offers a strategic approach for non-profit organizations and others seeking funding, reminding them that a well-crafted grant application is an essential tool for demonstrating not just need, but also potential and capability.