How do you write SMART grant objectives?

1. Specific: Be clear and concise about what you want to achieve. Avoid vague language and focus on specific outcomes. 2. Measurable: Make sure your objectives are measurable so you can track progress and evaluate success. Use quantifiable metrics to define success. 3. Achievable: Set objectives that are realistic and achievable. Consider the resources and capacity you have available to you. 4. Relevant: Ensure your objectives are relevant to the grant program and align with the goals of the funder. Make sure they are also relevant to your organization's mission and strategic plan. 5. Time-bound: Set a deadline for achieving your objectives. This will help you stay on track and ensure you are making progress towards your goals.

Acronyms seem to exponentially explode in use and SMART is one of the latest. Nothing, per se, wrong with principles of SMART but especially with federal and state grants SMART is not necessarily smart to follow or needed to follow. As a more than a decade reviewer for multiple federal agency grant programs I can attest that the important aspect of an application is to show the purpose of the grant meets the objectives of the grant program. It is that basic and simple. I have seen applications for a USDA Farmer's Market focused grant propose street improvement projects trying to argue the street improvement will create a Farmer's Market even though the Notice states funding Farmers Markets. Make sure your goal is the Grantor goal.

I encourage grant seekers to include achievable and relevant objectives. Ideally the organization is already tracking this information. If not, consider meaningful data points that you feel confident that you will be able to monitor and collect. For our grants, we are not only looking achievable, realistic objectives. When objectives are not met, we appreciate hearing what the challenges were and what was learned. This helps us better understand community needs and the reality of providing direct services.

I encourage grant seekers to focus on making grant objectives measurable, achievable and relevant. It might also help to imagine yourself writing the report after grant funds have been used.

How to make a a great objective SMART: Example Objective: "Improve access to quality primary education in rural communities." Specific: Instead of the vague goal above, specify that you aim to "build primary schools in 5 rural communities." Measurable: state that you aim to "provide access to primary education for 1500 children in 1 year." Achievable: Assess whether you have the necessary resources and expertise to complete this task. Relevant: Ensure that this objective aligns with the grant's focus, such as supporting access to free primary education for school age children in the areas. Time-bound: Set a clear timeframe, such as "complete construction and equipping the schools within 10months" Let us be methodic! Ire o!