January 24, 2002 | Read Time: 1 minute
Demystifying Grant Seeking
by Larissa Golden Brown and Martin John Brown
The authors of this book aim to take the agony out of the grant process with an organized, how-to guide that walks readers through a five-step cycle for successful grant seeking.
Tailored to those beginning, or interested in revamping, a grant-seeking effort, the book starts out by dispelling common myths and misconceptions associated with grant seeking, such as the idea that grants are “something for nothing,” or that grants are mostly large chunks of money given by well-known foundations.
Suggestions for streamlining the process include setting up a more organized office to induce work habits that will allow you to get “more and better grant proposals out the door,” the authors say. The book also offers a checklist of necessary — but low-tech — materials needed, down to file folders and places to store press clippings, anecdotes, statistics, and newsletters.
The five-step process, fleshed out over 16 chapters, includes having a thorough knowledge of the organization, the region it serves, and local grant makers; figuring out what grant makers are likely to respond to what types of proposals; asking your prospective funder for money; following up both internally and with grant makers; and evaluating results, methods, and opportunities.
The authors are partners in a consulting firm that helps nonprofits streamline their grant seeking.
Publisher: Jossey-Bass, 1 Wiley Drive, Somerset, N.J. 08875; (800) 225-5945; fax (800) 597-3299; http://www.wiley.com; 241 pages; $26.95; I.S.B.N. 0-7879-5650-3.
