Guide to Snagging Grants

The book “Winning Grants Step by Step” by Mim Carlson and Tori O’Neal-McElrath helps make the “magic” happen when it comes to grantmaking and grantseeking.

“Winning Grants” walks users through the basic grantwriting process by illustrating the importance of doing research up front, following directions, building relationships and implementing sound programming.

“By employing the strategies as outlined, you will significantly increase your ability to turn organizational programs, projects, and even general operating needs into proposals worthy of the full consideration of funders,” according to the book.

The book, which is part of the Jossey-Bass Nonprofit Guidebook Series, is a hands-on, user-friendly workbook that guides fundraisers through the various stages of development and will enable them to make their ideas come alive on paper. Real-life examples, samples and worksheets are used to help fundraisers create their own materials.

Throughout the workbook, guidelines, suggestions and exercises prepare grantmakers and grantseekers to tackle proposal development for various organizations in the nonprofit area.

“Winning Grants” aims to help grantseekers at every level, including entry-level grantwriters, other organizational staff and volunteers with little to no grantwriting experience.

“‘Winning Grants Step by Step’ targets this basic truth: your proposal must clearly articulate a well thought out, well-crafted program that both inspires confidence in your nonprofit’s ability to successfully implement it and fits within the interests of the funders who will receive it,” according to the book.

Finally, it includes the top five flaws in grantseekers’ proposals:

5. Failing to work out an appropriate budget for the proposed program.
4. Underestimating the importance of addressing sustainability.
3. Underplaying the importance and significance of evaluation.
2. Not being clear enough about what [grantseekers] are trying to achieve.
1. Not following the funder’s grant guidelines.

John Wiley & Sons Inc., 2008; $30