Grant professionals often work under pressure to tell a clear, compelling story about a community.
That work carries an important question: Who gets to tell the story and whose permission do we need to tell it?
A proposal may include sensitive details about a person’s health, housing, family, immigration status, income, or experience of violence. Even when those details help explain a need, they should not be treated as free material for fundraising.
Before including personal stories, photos, quotes, or identifiable information, ask:
- Did the person give informed permission for this specific use?
- Do they understand who will read the application and how the material may be shared?
- Is the information necessary to make the case?
- Could the person be identified, even without their name?
- Does the organization have a secure process for storing consent and source materials?
- Can the need be explained without exposing someone’s private experience?
A story that appeared in a newsletter or social media post is not automatically cleared for every grant application. Consent should be specific, voluntary, and consistent with the organization’s policies. When in doubt, use aggregated information, anonymized examples, or a composite story clearly labeled as such, if the funder permits it.
Also consider who reviews the language. Program staff and community partners can help catch descriptions that feel inaccurate, stigmatizing, or out of step with how people describe their own experiences.
Compelling writing matters. So does dignity.
We can make a strong case for funding without turning people’s lives into persuasive props. The proposal should represent the community, not expose it.
Until next time,
Write Epic Grants