Student-Developed Grant Proposal Funded for $75,000

When Public Relations major Anna Laning ’26 took PR Writing and Production with Dr. Donna Downs in the spring of 2025, she wrote a grant proposal that would result in a $75,000 fund for the Taylor University Chorale.

Writing a Grant Proposal for the Chorale

The main project for PR Writing and Production gave students real-world experience working with clients. They chose a topic they were passionate about and a corresponding nonprofit organization in need of funding. Students then reached out to that organization to inquire whether they would be interested in having a grant proposal written for them.  

As a second soprano in the Taylor University Chorale, Laning knew that taking the Chorale on a trip to South Korea had been a hope of Chorale Director Dr. Reed Spencer for years, and she decided to make this trip the focus of her grant proposal. Over the course of two months, Laning wrote a grant proposal to the 1846 Giving Circle requesting funds for a Chorale trip to South Korea in the spring of 2026.  

The 1846 Giving Circle is a group of prayerful individuals who care deeply about Taylor’s mission and vision. They invite staff and faculty to submit proposals for special projects that make a significant impact on and off campus.  

While writing her proposal, Laning met regularly with Dr. Spencer to discuss the goals behind the Chorale trip, and she worked with Dr. Downs to improve the language of the proposal. Laning learned how to effectively communicate the necessity of funding and how to use wording that evokes empathy for the cause. She collected charts, graphs, photos, and testimonies of fellow Chorale members to further strengthen her proposal. After this dedicated work, Dr. Spencer sent Laning's proposal to the 1846 Giving Circle.  

“Writing the proposal wasn't just an academic exercise. It was an act of worship and a way to further the gospel,” said Laning. 

Abundant Blessing

The 1846 Giving Circle board chose five finalists to fund from the original set of staff and faculty proposals, one of which was Laning’s proposal on behalf of the Chorale.  

Through writing the grant proposal, Laning learned how to share the heart of an organization with potential donors and saw it come to fruition. Thanks to the generosity of the 1846 Giving Circle, 60 students and five trip leaders will journey to South Korea in May of 2026 to spread the gospel through music. The Chorale trip will be at least 10 days long, consist of at least 10 different sacred music performances, and will include stops in three different South Korean cities. Students will partner with local churches in Korea, with a potential outreach of 750,000 people.   

Beyond the skills Laning developed through the grant proposal process, she reflected, “For years, the Chorale has dreamed of traveling to South Korea to serve, and I feel so blessed to be a part of what God is doing here. I couldn’t ask for a better way to use my talents to serve the Lord and this incredible group.”