Tool 10: The Diplomacy Table

Supports Habit 9 of Ten Habits of Great Grant Writers.

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A fillable version of this tool works right in your browser: open the interactive version. Add your own rows, columns, and items, then download, copy, or print your work. Nothing leaves your device.

Post this where proposals get written.

Bringing the funder into your drama	Letting the facts speak
Names the other organization	Never names them (name recognition is free marketing for them)
Assigns motives ("they pursued industry partnerships instead")	States a documented gap ("our 2025 survey found only 20 percent of members have been offered genetic testing")
Asks the funder to pick a side	Leaves the funder free to fund you, or both, or a coalition
Proves you have a conflict	Proves the community has a need
"Competitor Organization has failed to deliver on its promises to our community."	"Despite multiple efforts in this field, this gap in access persists. Our program addresses it."

Before submitting, search your draft for every organization name that is not yours or the funder's, and justify each one or delete it.