Communicating With Funders and Program Officers
Grantseekers are routinely advised to contact sponsors before formally proposing ideas, but most
grantseekers would, in the words of proposal development specialist Michael J. Spires, “rather undergo a
root canal without anesthesia than call a program officer.” Although people avoid contacting program
officers, pre-proposal communication helps establish a relationship with the sponsor. In addition, the
program officer’s immediate response to a project is a great predictor (although not guarantee) of success.
