writing_guides

Tips and Guidelines for Writing

What we do is "write proposals"

(a.k.a "Grantseeking")

(Grants and development professionals eschew the labels "grantwriter" and "grant-writing")

" Proposal writing is not a group activity. It is best done by a single writer gathering input from various sources. If different people are writing different sections of the proposal, one team member should be designated as the "editor," with responsibility for consistency.” For more information go to http://www.seliger.com

Elements of a Grant Proposal (click to review)

Proposals are usually prepared in response to a request by the grantor (a.k.a. RFP, RFA, SGA, NOFA, etc).- they may be as simple as a 3-page "letter of inquiry" to a foundation, or as complex as a 200 page tome for a multi-year Federal grant. Most Federal grants are now submitted electronically (a.k.a. e-Grants), and are typically confined to 50-70 pages of narrative.

Grantmaking is big business, resulting in Billions of $$$ paid every year for the purpose of accomplishing the specific goals and objectives of the grantor through the work of other people and organizations. (over $34 Billion was awarded in private foundation grants alone in 2007)

Because it is such a big business, and because reading grant proposals is hugely time consuming, and thus costly, many grantors have published guides to confine unbridled enthusiasm and gushing prose on the part of 'wannabe grant getters'.

(fwiw: ... short, comprehensive proposals are much harder to write ...)

Writer's RESOURCES:

In the Gavilan Library:

The "How TO" Grants Manual by pre-eminent grants guru, David Bauer
The "How TO" Grants Workshop on DVD by David Bauer
Proposal Development Workbook (a.k.a. The Swiss Cheese Book) by David Bauer
Educational Fund Raising, by David Bauer
How to Evaluate and Improve Your Grants Effort, by David Bauer

Here are some good, free, learning resources on the web: (links underlined)

Write So Your Proposal is Funded ( From TechLearning )

Grantwriting Glossary of Terms

Tips on How to Write a Proposal

Grants.gov "SUCCEED" Newsletter

Network with Other Grants Professionals

Dr. Drew's Social Networking Site for Grant Writers
- Dr. John Drew has set up a special social networking site just for grant writers.(ouch! - we are proposal writers NOT grantwriters) -- check it out http://grantwriters.ning.com/

CRD - The AACC Council for Resource Development

(CRD and its ListServ for Members is strictly for Community College folk)

Get Training!

TGCI is the best invest you can make in yourself if you really want to be a Grants Professional

Write to Be Scanned (this is really important!)

General Writing Tips