What Medieval Manuscripts Can Teach You About Winning Grants

I read and write historical fiction and have immersed myself in all things medieval Bruges for a Young Adult historical mystery that is in its final edits with a trusted professional. One of the many things that fascinates about this time are the medieval illuminators– the artists who created those stunning, sometimes startling, and often hilarious drawings in the margins along with the large, ornately drawn first letter of the manuscript’s first word. To learn illumination usually meant a lengthy apprenticeship with an experienced artist who gave the apprentice hands-on feedback and lessons in a practical manner.

Take away the tallow candles, add electricity and a few hundred years of material progress, and you’ve got the bare bones of my grant education. Nearly 30 years ago, I learned how to write grants as a junior member of a grants team at a large children’s hospital. I had helped manage grants for the community education department, but when I transferred to the foundation, I received examples, hands-on experience, and ongoing feedback during those first few months, which provided an invaluable learning-on-the-job experience.

Amanda and I have been in the grant writing game for over 50 years combined, and we’ve seen it all. Now we’re gearing up to pass on our knowledge, kind of like those master illuminators did back in the day. It’s pretty cool when you think about it – we’re carrying on a tradition of mentorship that’s been around for centuries, just with a modern twist.

Here’s how our Grants Lab is shaping up to be like those old-school illumination apprenticeships:

• Mentorship: Medieval apprentices learned directly from master illuminators. In our Grants Lab, Amanda and I will bring over 50 years of combined experience to guide our participants.
• Hands-on Practice: Illumination apprentices honed their skills through continuous practice. We’re structuring our Lab similarly, with regular writing exercises covering various aspects of grant proposals.
• Personalized Feedback: The experience artists would immediately correct and guide their apprentices. We’ll offer detailed, written feedback on each assignment our participants complete.

• Gradual Skill Building: Apprentice illuminators began with simple tasks before progressing to more complex techniques. Our curriculum will build competencies weekly, starting with the basics and moving to more advanced concepts.
• Small Group Learning: Scriptoriums provided an intimate learning environment. To ensure individualized attention, we’re limiting our cohorts to ten agencies.
• Creation of Templates: Illuminators developed pattern books for future reference. We’ll help our participants create a working template to streamline their grant-seeking process.
• Emphasis on Precision: Illumination and grant writing demand meticulous attention to detail. We’ll stress the importance of accuracy and adherence to guidelines.
• Blending of Art and Function: Illuminators created beautiful works that also served a practical purpose. We’ll teach our participants to craft compelling and technically sound proposals.

Our eight-week program is designed to cover all the bases of grant writing, from determining whether you’re ready for grants to planning for long-term sustainability. By the end of it, we aim to have our participants as skilled in their craft as those apprentice illuminators were in theirs.

Registration is open for the first cohort of the Grants Lab, where you and up to four more staff members or volunteers of your non-profit agency or local government can learn by doing, with your learning guided by two grant pros who’ve been there and done that.

No quills and parchment required—just bring a willingness to learn and work together to secure transformative grants for the communities you serve.

For more information and registration, click HERE.

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Kimberly Hays de Muga

Kimberly Hays de Muga, GPC, is an expert trainer and coach in nonprofit capacity building, grant writing, fundraising, and board development. She brings more than 25 years of fundraising experience that includes raising $100 million from individuals, foundations, corporations, and local, state, and federal funding for nonprofit agencies in the education, health, and human service sectors—from food banks to pediatric hospitals, to state-wide mental health coalitions.

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