Grant Writing For Dummies^®

by Beverly A. Browning

• ISBN13: 9780764553073
• ISBN10: 0764553070
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-01-01
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Grant writing skills are essential in gaining funding from government and foundation grants for a nonprofit organization. In the past, there were no college degrees in grant writing and very few, if any, books on how to write a grant. The process of learning how to write a grant was mostly trial and error, but times have changed. Today, grant writing is a science - a skill that reflects a precise application of facts or principles. Grant Writing For Dummies can help anyone who has to seek and secure grant funds in order to keep an agency's doors open for business or to fund a special project. This reference guide is also for people who want to make a career of freelance grant writing. The easy-to-use format, thorough approach, clear advice, and voice of experience will help anyone to: Get the scoop on government and foundation grants Go for the gold with multiple grant requests Make the case for your grant request Use words that make founders say "yes" Figure out the rules of the grants game to put together your grant application. Reach your goal of receiving funding for your organization from a government or foundation grant. Grant Writing For Dummies also covers the following topics and more: Searching for government grants Conveying your needs for grant funds Fashioning the essentials such as cover letters and abstracts Presenting the budget Double-checking your grant proposal or application before you submit it Win or lose - how to play your next card Every year, the federal government distributes billions of dollars in grant money to nonprofit organizations. Grant Writing For Dummies guides you along your quest for funding with all the essential information you need to achieve success.

Author Biography

Beverly Browning is the founder of Bev Browning and Associates. Through contracted grant writing, workshops, internships, and publications, she shares her years of experience in winning public-and private-funding requests for her clients. Bev has demonstrated expertise in securing foundation, corporate, state, local, and federal grants for municipalities, state agencies, associations, homeless shelters, health care institutions, Chambers of Commerce, libraries, schools, and numerous other organizations. She has secured educational grants for science and mathematics projects, telecommunications planning and program development, computer and technology training (Goals 2000 and technology literacy challenge programs), early childhood development, performing arts programs, environmental education, and various youth-directed programs including university-level student support programs. Bev is the author of six self-published grants-related publications, including audio and video products. In 1999, she published Getting Grants Funded in Your Community, and in 2000 she released an audio book, Fundraising with the Corporate Letter Request. Since Bev started consulting in 1986, she has assisted clients throughout the United States in receiving awards of more than $45 million. In October of 1995, Bev relocated to Chandler, Arizona, after residing for 47 years in Flint, Michigan. She holds a BA in organizational development from Spring Arbor College and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Michigan. In her spare time, Bev teaches for the University of Phoenix in Arizona, where she is approved to facilitate over 20 undergraduate Business Management and General Studies courses. Annually, Bev travels throughout the United States to conduct grant writing workshops for local, regional, state, and national nonprofit organizations. She has trained many grant writing interns.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(4)
Part I: Powering Up with Grant Basics	5	(78)
Getting Smart, Getting Money	7	(16)
Searching for Government Grants	23	(12)
Federal Grant Application Kits and Tidbits	35	(14)
Using a Funding Plan to Raise Your Hit Rate	49	(14)
Harvesting Critical Information on Foundations and Corporations	63	(8)
Talking the Talk of Grant Writing	71	(12)
Part II: Understanding the Rules of the Grants Game	83	(28)
Preparing for Review Criteria of Government (and Other) Grants	85	(8)
Writing to Meet the Review Criteria of Government Grants	93	(8)
Words that Work and Win Grant Funds	101	(10)
Part III: Putting Together Your Grant Application	111	(84)
Fashioning the Little Essentials: Cover Letters, Abstracts, and Such	113	(10)
Putting the Spotlight on Your Organization	123	(10)
Conveying Your Need for Grant Funds	133	(8)
Demonstrating How Grant Funds Will Be Used: The Plan of Action	141	(14)
Profiling Personnel, Resources, and Equity	155	(12)
Writing the Evaluation Plan Section of the Narrative	167	(12)
Presenting the Budget	179	(16)
Part IV: Reaching the Finish Line with Your Grant Application	195	(42)
Counting Down to Deadline: What to Check before Launch	197	(12)
Submitting Your Information Electronically	209	(6)
Cleaning Up and Following Up	215	(8)
Win or Lose --- How to Play the Next Card	223	(6)
Using a Letter to Ask for Goods or Services	229	(4)
Exploring for International Funds	233	(4)
Part V: The Part of Tens	237	(26)
Ten Ways to Personalize Your Request	239	(6)
Ten Grant Writing No-No's	245	(4)
Ten Data Collection Tips	249	(6)
Ten Tips for Organizing Your Writing	255	(4)
Ten Tips for Handling a Rejection Letter	259	(4)
Appendix: Two Complete Examples of Grant Application Narratives	263	(26)
Index	289