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Grant Writing Guides

 

A number of guides to funding and grantsmanship in specific areas have been published in recent years. These may be available at public or research libraries under such subject headings as "fund raising," "endowments," "grants-in-aid," "research grants," and "federal aid to ..." [followed by broad categories such as education, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, libraries, outdoor recreation, the arts, or transportation]. Other titles may be located under a subject heading with "research grants" as a subdivision, such as "humanities -- research grants."

Bauer, David G. The "How To" Grants Manual: Successful Grantseeking Techniques for Obtaining Public and Private Grants. Provides Insights into the Grants Marketplace.

The book gives advice on organizing a proposal-development workbook, writing proposals, and choosing the correct marketplace. The books also gives guidance on locating government and private funding sources.

----- with contributions by Mary L. Otto. Administering grants, contracts, and funds: evaluating and improving your grants system. Phoenix, Oryx Press, 1995. 233 p. HG4027.65.B38 1995
This book is designed for use by nonprofit organizations. Provides assistance in developing a work plan (using worksheets and checklists) to identify grants sources.

Belcher, Jane C., and Julia M. Jacobsen. From Idea to Funded Project: Grant Proposals That Work. Phoenix, Oryx Press, 1992. 138 p. LB2336.B43

The book provides guidance in writing a proposal, including developing the idea into a detailed outline, finding a potential sponsor, submitting and evaluating the proposal, and administering the grant.

DeVaul, Diane, and Heather Twomey. Federal Grant Programs: A Shrinking Resource. Washington, Northeast-Midwest Institute Center for Regional Policy, 1990. 200 p. HJ275.D425

Covers the principles and skills involved in preparing and presenting written proposals. The author emphasizes the importance of developing a strategic approach to proposal writing and grant seeking, and discusses various components and types of proposals. An appendix presents a sample proposal with criticisms and suggestions for improving it.

Ferguson, Jacqueline. The Effective Grant Office: Streamlining Grants Development and Management. Alexandria, VA, Capitol Publications, 1994. 94 p. HG176.7.F47 1994

This book outlines how to locate funding sources, develop project ideas, prepare grant proposals, communicate and negotiate with funders, monitor projects and their budgets, retain grant records, and seek continued funding. This manual explains how to set up an organized, well- coordinated system for bringing new funds into the organizations and making sure they are used properly.

Frost, Gordon Jay, ed. Winning Grant Proposals: Eleven Successful Appeals by American Nonprofits to Corporations, Foundations, Individuals, and Government Agencies. Rockville, MD, Fund Raising Institute, 1993. 160 p. HG177.5.U6.W565 1993

The institutions which agreed to participate in this collection selected the works they wished to include. The only direction they were given was to supply a proposal of which they were especially proud, both for its quality and its success, that had received support since 1990. The result is a fairly diverse lot, with applications to corporations, foundations, individuals, and the U.S. government. Provides examples of good work.

Hall, Mary S. Getting Funded: A Complete Guide to Proposal Writing. 3rd ed. Portland, OR, Continuing Education Publications, Portland State University, 1988. 206 p. LB2825.H223

Besides providing information on funding trends, funding sources and databases, Getting Funded gives a broad range of examples of both how to and how not to go about proposal writing. In addition, it offers many critical checklists, sample formats, and models.

Kiritz, Norton J. Program Planning and Proposal Writing. Los Angeles, Grantsmanship Center, 1980. 48 pages.

Outlines grants application procedures and a standardized application format, which has been adopted by many government agencies and private foundations. It describes appropriate cover letters and provides examples.

Nauffts, Mitchell F., ed. Foundation Fundamentals: A Guide for Grantseekers. New York, Foundation Center, 1994. 220 p. HV41.9.U5.N37

This book describes the various types of foundations, the regulations that govern their activities, and the relationship of foundations to other funding sources. Describes the planning process prior to seeking funding. Discusses the resources available and how grant seekers can use them to find the funders most likely to be interested in their proposals. Takes the reader step by step through the three basic approaches to finding a funder: subject, geographic, and type of support.

Ries, Joanne B. Applying for Research Funding: Getting Started and Getting Funded. Thousand Oaks, CA, Sage Publications, 1995. HG177.R53

Focuses on strategies for developing a competitive application for research funding. Presents the components of making choices in preparing the application. Discusses key contacts that the authors have found useful. Presents the strength and weaknesses of various research environments. Gives practical suggestions for writing persuasive applications.