I’m going to be spending part of my day today applying for two different grants, part of funding a couple Puget Sound programs that the Ikkatsu Project has in front of it this coming year. Like most people who are engaged in this sort of thing, I have something of a love/hate relationship to the process… it can be time-consuming and involved, and time spent on the application process is time not spent doing what I set out to do in the first place.

With that said, I am immensely grateful to those organizations and individuals that are in the position to provide this kind of funding. As the scope of the Ikkatsu Project has changed over time, it is this support that has allowed for more research and a greater impact in terms of awareness and public engagement. So, thank you! (You know who you are.)

I was thinking, however, that the way grants are administered could probably be improved. A bit. For example, one of the grants I’m applying for, if I am successful, would be sent to me from a non-profit that is dispersing funds from a different non-profit, who received those funds previously from another non-profit, which is itself part of a larger non-profit. Again, thanks to all involved, but it seems to me that the procedures are possibly more convoluted than necessary. It’s not, shall we say, the most streamlined of systems.

For a more direct path to helping fund Ikkatsu Project programs – if that is something you might be inclined to consider – I can immediately think of two other fine options: first, the Ikkatsu Project Spring Social is just one week away, May 6th, at the Camp Bar in Tacoma. You can come out for an afternoon of live music, raffles, libation and information, all of which will go directly to support this year’s programs. Also, the Give Big campaign is on the calendar for May 9th and you can go directly to the Ikkatsu Project page and make a contribution there. All gifts are appreciated more than you know.

Now, to the applications!