Storyboard Your Grant Narrative in Five Frames
Storyboarding is the fastest way to align busy stakeholders around a grant narrative. Map the hook, need, solution, proof, and commitment before you draft so Crafty can generate copy that hits every note.
TL;DR
- Storyboards force teams to agree the storyline before anyone writes a sentence.
- Use five frames—Hook, Need, Solution, Proof, Commitment—to keep narratives balanced.
- Upload storyboards into Crafty’s modular answer library to produce fast, consistent drafts.
Why storyboard a grant narrative instead of diving straight into writing?
Storyboarding clarifies plot before copywriting. IDEO’s Design Kit (2024 update) shows that visual planning reduces rework by up to 30%. For grants, it means fewer conflicting edits, faster approvals, and more time to finesse evidence. It also keeps AI prompts on message.
What are the five storyboard frames for grants?
Divide the page into five panels. Each panel should include bullet points, data, and visuals that will anchor the draft.
| Frame | Purpose | Inputs | Questions to answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hook | Grab funder attention | Headline stat, beneficiary quote | Why should funder care immediately? |
| Need | Define the problem | Data, context, inequity evidence | What gap persists despite efforts? |
| Solution | Explain your intervention | Delivery plan, partners, unique assets | Why is this the right strategy now? |
| Proof | Evidence of success | Outcomes, testimonials, evaluations | What proof shows you deliver? |
| Commitment | Ask + future vision | Funding request, stewardship plan | What does funder partnership unlock? |
How do you run a storyboard workshop in under an hour?
Use the kick-off agenda to gather stakeholders. Spend five minutes per frame capturing sticky notes, then vote on the strongest angles. Assign actions to fill gaps via the evidence bank.
How does the storyboard feed into Crafty and modular answer libraries?
Each frame maps to modules inside Crafty’s modular answer library. Upload bullet points with sources. Crafty’s AI then expands them into funder-ready copy while keeping structure intact.
Download the storyboard template and next steps
Download the Miro, Mural, and Google Slides templates. Schedule a storyboard session before drafting any major bid this quarter.
Next actions
- Invite stakeholders to a 45-minute storyboard session.
- Populate frames with data, quotes, and differentiators.
- Import the storyboard into Crafty to generate the first draft.
Key takeaways
- Storyboards align stakeholders and surface gaps before drafting begins.
- Five frames keep narratives balanced between emotion, evidence, and ask.
- Crafty converts storyboard frames into polished copy quickly.
Summary and next steps
Grant storyboards are your shortcut to clarity. Use them before every major bid and reuse the frames to keep messaging consistent across channels.
- Adopt the storyboard template across all funding teams.
- Pair it with readiness, evidence, and budget tools to stay aligned.
- Refresh frames after funder feedback and upload updates to Crafty.