02: Stop Asking, Start Aligning: How "Governmentese" Wins BIG Grants

Winning a grant isn't about being the customer at a drive-thru; it's about becoming the person behind the counter. In this episode of Winning the Public Purse, David Kincade dives into the psychology of "governmentese" and explains why your project's success depends on your ability to talk about yourself in a way that aligns with the government's mandate. Today's show is a strategic masterclass on how to get "on the menu" before the next grant cycle even opens. From decoding ministerial annual reports to finding the high-value "subheadings" that make an application irresistible to reviewers, you'll learn how to position your organization as a trusted advisor rather than just another name in the pile.  If you want to understand why the same organizations seem to win millions of dollars year after year, this will show you exactly how they align their metrics with the heartbeat of the public purse. Ready to transform grant writing into a predictable pillar of your success? David's students have already won over $61M in funding using the frameworks taught in the Advanced Grant Writing Course. You can get started now at https://albertabusinessgrants.ca/grant-writing.  To ensure you never miss an insight into the world of public funding, subscribe to Winning the Public Purse with David Kincade on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. If you found value in this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review to help other mission-driven leaders unlock the public purse. Highlights From This Episode:  How most grant applicants fail by focusing only on their own projects instead of understanding the fundamental concept of "governmentese" [0:35] The way election platforms and mandate letters can serve as a strategic roadmap for exactly what governments are looking to fund [2:28] The critical mindset shift required to stop viewing yourself as a customer and start positioning your business as a trusted solution for government problems [4:58] How to find and utilize specific ministry strategies to discover high-impact subheadings for your next application [6:34] Why 70% of successful applicants are known by agencies before they ever receive funding and how to get your organization "on the menu" [11:51] The simple website and press release audit you can perform to align your key metrics with the specific language government ministers want to see [14:15] Key Quotes:  "You don't get it. In this example, in grants, understanding governmentese, the government is the customer, okay? They're the person actually coming. They're not on the menu." [9:56] "You want to be on the menu. In other words, you're thought about, you're trusted, you're liked, and they're going to come and 'buy' from you, [or] give you grants in this case. And you don't want to be that person that shows up and says, 'Give me this. I want a grant.'" [13:37] "Your job is to find the strategies in your area and communicate it in a way that when they put a press release about you, it aligns exactly with what the government is trying to do." [16:09]  LINKS:  Advanced Grant Writing Course: https://albertabusinessgrants.ca/grant-writing/  Grant Gazette: https://albertabusinessgrants.ca/grant-writing/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@davidkincade Book: Golden Grant Rules LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kincade-ma-029a9157/ Website: https://albertabusinessgrants.ca/ Email: [email protected] Phone: 780-297-6177