James Aaron Quick

Effective grant proposals are not so much written as they are extensively researched, developed, and positioned. The actual writing, obviously an essential component, is nevertheless only the tip of the iceberg. Grant seekers must possess the necessary skills to correctly identify potential funders, craft a proposal that meets a specific funder’s needs, and follow that funder’s directions to the letter. Cheryl New and James Quick take grant seekers step-by-step through the entire development and drafting process in How to Write a Grant Proposal. The authors concentrate on all the behind-the-scenes, pre-writing work that makes the difference between successful grant proposals and those that potential funders discard as "nonresponsive." New and Quick concentrate on crafting specific proposals that prove a perfect match between a funder and a solicitor’s needs. Funders and the nonprofit organizations they support are both in the business of solving problems; the key is creating a project that addresses a problem that both parties are interested in solving. How to Write a Grant Proposal provides targeted guidance for a variety of kinds of organizations, including: K—12 private and public educational organizations Government agencies For-profit businesses Health care organizations Traditional nonprofits Higher education universities and centers A companion CD-ROM contains guidesheets and templates that can be easily downloaded, customized, and printed. The authors provide examples of completed proposals and numerous case studies to demonstrate how the grant-seeking process typically works. How to Write a Grant Proposal proves a one-stop resource on how to interpret a funder’s guidelines to create a successful grant proposal.

Step-by-step guidance, insider tips, and all the tools you need to create budgets and financial plans that win grants Grants are a major source of funding in the nonprofit sector, and nonprofits invest considerable time, effort, and resources into obtaining them. A key aspect of any successful grant application initiative is budgeting and financial planning. A well-crafted budget, clearly delineating when, where, and how grant moneys will be applied, goes a long way toward selling a grantor on an applicant’s vision. Unfortunately, many nonprofit professionals lack the know-how required to create budgets that instill grantors with confidence. This book fills that much-needed gap. Authors James Aaron Quick and Cheryl Carter New walk you through the entire budgeting process, providing invaluable insider tips, guidelines, and rules of thumb. More importantly, they provide you with indispensable guidance including a complete, step-by-step budgeting system, with each step fully documented and accompanied by an arsenal of powerful tools, plus much more to help you transform your organization’s vision–and mission–into reality.

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR Grantseeker's Toolkit. "For most worthy nonprofits to fulfill their missions, passion and dedication are simply not enough. Securing financial resources requires that 'the case' for support be made in a clear and persuasive fashion. Beyond their skill in winning grants, New and Quick also know how to effectively coach others, in a conversational, step-by-step manner, to do the same!"—Dr. Janice B. Yost President Mary Black Foundation, Inc. "Grantseeker's Toolkit is an outstanding and comprehensive reference document for the grantseeker and writer. Cheryl and James have created a valuable resource for both the novice and the experienced grantseeker/writer."—Marlene L. Ritter Unit Head, Leadership Development Office of Quality Educators Louisiana Department of Education. "Grantseeker's Toolkit is a breath of fresh air. This book should provide a recipe for community-based organizations and small universities that have spent thousands of dollars hiring writers to develop proposals. Several copies of this book should be on file in the business or grants office of every community-based organization and community college or university. Cheryl and Jim should be commended for developing this tool."—Arlene A. Granderson, M.P.H. Director of Operations, Office of Rural Health Policy Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD. "Grantseeker's Toolkit is a very valuable resource on the complex process of grant development. It will be useful for all grantseeking groups or individuals. Mr. Quick and Ms. New's advice and direction is useful across the full range of grant proposal development, from the simplest grants to the most complex."—Geraldine Ritter Director, Grants Administration Wake County Public School System, North Carolina. ON THE DISK The enclosed disk contains forms and exercises that help you develop the skills you need to design grant proposals customized to fit both your organization's needs and your potential funder's requirements.