Abstract: This session will give a clear and practical introduction to how strong grant proposals are written and why they matter in policy and social impact work. Based on real experiences with nonprofits, funders, and community partners, the talk will walk through how to write a focused problem statement, set clear outcomes, build trust, and present evidence in a way that funders understand. It will also show how proposals connect to reporting, compliance, and long-term accountability after a project is funded. Participants will learn what funders usually look for, why some good ideas still do not get selected, and how clear writing and simple structure can improve the chances of success. The goal of the session is to help students feel more confident and give them a grounded understanding of how the funding process works in real life.
Speaker Bio-sketch: Mr. Saikat Panda is a young global social impact professional who cares deeply about fairness, access, and community. Growing up, he watched many small organizations work hard for their people but struggle because they lacked the support and tools they needed. This stayed with him and shaped the direction of his work. He is the founder of Socialys Evidentia Global Consulting, where he focuses on building simple and affordable technology to help small and mid-sized nonprofits manage grants, connect with donors, and stay organized. His aim is to make philanthropy easier and more accessible for groups that do not have large teams or big budgets. He believes every community organization, no matter how small, deserves a fair chance to grow and create change. He also oversees the I3 Global Nonprofit Leadership Academy. He is also the host of The Nonprofit Blueprint Podcast, where he plans to share global insights on philanthropy, technology, and community-driven change.