Proposal Planning & Writing / Edition 6

by Jeremy T. Miner, Kelly C. Ball-Stahl

Overview

No matter whether you are approaching public or private sponsors, this thorough and detailed step-by-step guide will enable you to plan and write winning proposals.

Grantseeking is always a competitive process. As organizational needs outstrip resources, groups turn to grants as a means of strengthening their financial footing while pursuing their missions. This book draws on the authors' three decades of grantseeking experiences in writing successful proposals, conducting grant workshops nationwide, reviewing government and foundation proposals, and critiquing application guidelines for grantmakers to lead readers through the process of planning and writing successful proposals.

The authors first provide practical strategies for project planning, including identifying sponsors, matching grantseeker needs to sponsor priorities, and qualifying prospects through pre-proposal contacts. The authors then guide users systematically through proposal writing, including introducing a template for letter proposals to private foundations and corporations, describing the primary elements of government proposals, and providing tips for constructing a realistic budget. This advice as well as the key questions to answer before you begin writing; actual proposals that were declined, with rejection reasons; and complete sample letter proposals comprised in this volume will help both beginning and experienced grantseekers to better plan and develop fundable projects.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440863349
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	08/02/2019
Edition description:	6th Revised ed.
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	8.55(w) x 10.95(h) x 0.75(d)

About the Author

Jeremy T. Miner, MA, is president of Miner and Associates. He is also director of grants and contracts in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire.
Kelly C. Ball, PhD, is institutional researcher at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Green Bay, WI. She regularly presents workshops on grantseeking and writing persuasive proposals.

Table of Contents

Preface
Part I: Finding Sponsors and Planning Proposals
Chapter 1. Introduction to Grantseeking
Chapter 2. Finding Public Funds
Chapter 3. Finding Private Funds
Chapter 4. Preproposal Contacts
Part II: Writing Private Foundation and Corporation Proposals
Chapter 5. Letter Proposal Template
Chapter 6. Letter Proposal Examples
Part III: Writing Government Proposals
Chapter 7. Problem Statement
Chapter 8. Goals, Objectives, and Outcomes
Chapter 9. Methods
Chapter 10. Evaluation
Chapter 11. Dissemination
Chapter 12. Budgets
Chapter 13. Sustainability
Chapter 14. Appendixes
Chapter 15. Abstracts
Part IV: The Final Steps
Chapter 16. Writing and Editing Techniques
Chapter 17. Grant Review and Funding Decisions
Bibliography
Index

What People are Saying About This

Victor Mbarika

"I have continually relied on the Miner's grant advice every since I attended one of their grant workshops on campus. We've invited them back for many years and continue to take advantage of their success tips and techniques."

Sharon S. Ball

"Proposal Planning & Writing is my favorite grant-seeking reference guidebook; my personal copy is dog-eared with colorful post-its marking my 'go-to' passages, especially the 'Time-Saver Tips,' that I share with library members. I have even dumpster dived to retrieve my copy when the cleaning crew accidentally threw it out. Now, there's a testimonial for you!"

Michael J. Brauer

"Our Advancement team finds the approach this book takes toward the competitive world of grant-seeking to be refreshingly candid and pragmatic. It offers no guarantees, of course, but the authors do an exceptional job of scattering bread crumbs through the forest."

Peter A. Lichtenberg

"This book has been so valuable to our organization that we bought a copy for every member of our Board. The concise and practical guidance offered by the book allows us to seek monies in an efficient and effective manner."

Kevin J. Lee

"Proposal Planning & Writing outlines rational methods for developing excellent proposals that stand out and get noticed. I have found it to be a valuable resource over the past nine years and frequently lend it my colleagues in the development field. Unfortunately, they never seem to return it."

Kim Casey

"With more funding decisions being made on the basis of half points, this book shows you how to make your grant application stand out from the competition."

Timothy R. Smith

"If the thought of writing grants gives you a migraine, then you need to read Proposal Planning & Writing—this book makes grantseeking a pain free experience."

Kathleen Diaz Taggart

"Miner and Associates excellent leadership and contribution to the grant development field continue to be foundational for successful grant seekers."

Cathy Frey

"As a relatively young grant maker, we recognize that applicants are still 'trying to figure us out.' So, at our invitation, the Miners presented their grant writing tips at a special regional workshop we hosted for potential program applicants. The result: the overall quality of grant proposals we received increased dramatically, particularly from attendees."

Felice Maciejewski

"In these tight economic times when many libraries are making the tough decision to scale back on reference materials, here's one book that, for the good of the nonprofit community, is an absolute must have in your collection: Proposal Planning & Writing."

Robert C. Rubel

"The College of Lake County has used Proposal Planning and Writing in our training of both public and private sector organizations for the past several years. Our students have proclaimed it to be easy to use, extremely helpful, and the best that they have seen."

John R. Meurer

"Proposal Planning & Writing contains secrets of success from grants experts who practice what they teach. It not only explains what and how to put together a winning proposal, but it also points out pitfalls to avoid. Whether you're writing to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation or the National Institutes of Health, these tips work."

Allen C. Harris

"The Miners are national grant experts who have found a way to explain how to write project goals, objectives, methods and outcomes without grief!"

Anthony M. Iacopino

"The ideas in this book have worked extremely well for me in both the United States and now in Canada. In fact, many of the approaches and strategies are universal and I would feel confident applying them wherever I am."

Karen Brock

"As a coordinator of a large coalition of diverse professionals, you need a book that can capture their attention, give them practical advice and get them to work—immediately. Proposal Planning & Writing fulfills that need in expert fashion."

David Midland

"I love being able to see so many examples of complete proposals—operating support, physical facilities renovation, programmatic support—it's all in there."

Mark W. Jones

"Proposal Planning & Writing is the most useful and cost-effective way to quickly strengthen your grantseeking efforts and enhance your outcomes. It's like bundling a grants workshop, an insightful consultant and a sage mentor between two covers."

Editorial Reviews

"In these times of economic downturn, teacher-librarians will have to sharpen their ability to write grants. These authors have good advice….we recommend this one as a current source. Take it and use it." - Teacher Librarian


"As in earlier editions, this book discusses funding from government, foundation, and corporate sponsors. The title includes practical advice and examples on developing proposal ideas, identifying funding sources, creating systems and procedures to support grantseeking activities, developing procedural components, budget forecasting, submission procedures, and follow-up techniques. This latest edition includes more extensive information on family foundations; 25 percent more than Websites than in the past editions; examples of successful proposals, including nine sample letters complete with annotations; expanded instructions on evaluation and outcomes assessments; and guidance on project sustainability after grant termination. This standard resource helps grantseekers navigate the funding process and helps grantseekers pinpoint why grants proposals fail or succeed. The volume also includes checklists and a bibliography." - ARBA

From the Publisher