Getting Funded: The Complete Guide to Writing Grant Proposals (Paperback)

by Mary S. Hall (Author), Susan Howlett (Author) "This chapter discuss how to begin planning a proposal by developing a profile to guide the assessment of capability, analysis of need, and search for..." (more)
Key Phrases: program logic model, most funding sources, applicant organization, Foundation Center, The Complete Guide, Getting Funded (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"...a must-read for anyone who seeks grant support." -- Eugene R. Wilson, Sr. Vice President, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

"I have always found Getting Funded to be the most complete resource in its field." -- Martha Golensky, Professor, Grand Valley State University

"This book needs to be on every grantwriter's desk." -- Peter F. Donnelly, President and CEO, Corporate Council for the Arts/ArtsFund

Product Description
Compete Successfully for Shrinking Funding Dollars

In the existing climate of increased competition for reduced funding dollars, writing a winning grant proposal is essential.

Get the answers to your most troublesome questions. Drawing on over 60 years of experience in the field, authors Dr. Mary Hall, and Susan Howlett take you step by step, through this complex and sometimes frustrating process. Everything is covered, from current trends in funding to all the nuts and bolts necessary for writing a successful proposal.

By illustrating points with clear examples, incorporating checklists, a teaching guide for instructors, and other useful tools to keep you on track, the 4th Edition of Getting Funded continues to be the definitive reference on writing grant proposals available today.

You will learn how to:

Test the appeal of your idea
Measure your organization's capability to carry out what it proposes
Research and develop your idea
Select the most promising funding sources
Construct your proposal from abstract to budget, using proven management planning procedures.
Present and negotiate your proposal
Prepare for a subsequent round of funding

Who Should Use Getting Funded?

Everyone responsible for raising funds:
Researchers
Scientists
Social service program personnel
Educators
Health Professionals
Nonprofit organization development personnel
Graduate students involved in dissertation planning
Everyone who oversees organizations involved in fundraising:
Elected and appointed officials
Nonprofit organization board members and executives
University administrators
Research and project directors

Everyone who plans and seeks support for new programs or ventures:

Public sector administrators proposing new programs
Private sector managers proposing new ideas or initiatives

What's new in this edition?

Web resources and numerous helpful checklists
A brand new section for instructors teaching proposal writing including a sample syllabus for 11-week and 3-week courses and suggested assignments for each chapter
More guidance and examples for small organizations in addition to larger, more sophisticated applicants

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Continuing Education Press; 4 edition (July 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876780710
• ISBN-13: 978-0876780718
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #141,894 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It Is a Complete Guide, August 30, 2004

By	Jan Tunnell (Orlando, FL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Getting Funded
The complete Guide to Writing Grant Proposals
Mary Hall, PhD. & Susan Howlett
Portland State University
Portland, Oregon
174 pages including appendices

Reviewed by
Jan Tunnell
Tunnell & Associates
Orlando, Florida

I found this book intriguing. As an experienced (25+ years) professional, I approached this assignment with an "I will see if they did it right" attitude. Not only do they do it right, but I enjoyed the content, arrangement of information, and style of presentation. I found myself mentally noting things I have tried to share with clients or peers - and wishing I could underline passages and stick the book under a few noses. Validation is wonderful, but I also learned new techniques and viewpoints and got an update on several topics.
The book is divided into parts:
Part One: Essential Planning Steps
Chapter 1 Getting Started
Chapter 2 Assessing Your Capability
Chapter 3 Developing the Idea
Chapter 4 Selecting the Funding Source
Considerable space is given to guiding an agency through the process of planning to prepare an application - how I wish this step was the norm instead of the exception! The first four chapters are devoted to this crucial step - and they are the chapters I want more agencies to use. So often the attitude is "we need money, write a grant", not knowing or caring that you can only write applications. The planning step is mostly unknown or ignored. Hopefully, these four chapters will encourage new applicants to start off on the right foot and actually think before they leap. This information will also be appreciated by experienced grant writers - they know this but can't get their administration to listen. Here is support for their unheeded cries.
The nine chapters on preparing the application are thorough, well presented, clear, and concrete.
Part Two: Writing and Submitting the Proposal
Chapter 5 Writing the Proposal
Chapter 6 Title Page, Abstract, and Accompanying Documents
Chapter 7 Writing the Purpose Statement
Chapter 8 Writing the Statement of Need
Chapter 9 Procedures
Chapter 10 Evaluation
Chapter 11 Qualifications and Personnel
Chapter 12 The Budget
Chapter 13 Review, Submission, Notification, and Renewal
Every possible section and subsection of an application is covered in easy to understand language. Samples of standard pages and suggested formats are included in the body of the text, where they are most relevant. Charts provide summary and detail of specific topics in an easy to understand format. Differences among government, private foundation, corporate, and research applications are explained and the components of each are listed, including required attachments.
One of my favorite sections is a working timeline. All too often someone in an agency notices that there is funding available, gets all excited about applying, and then casually mentions that the deadline is next week. The planning timetable shows the uninitiated exactly how long each process takes, and what the working order should be.
The information is current; time lines, PERT charts, and logic models are included and explained. An entire chapter is devoted to evaluation methodology, a relatively recent requirement many are still uncomfortable dealing with and preparing. The authors even include an overview of the review process, and a list of the Seven Deadly Sins of Proposal Writing.
Appendix A Proposal Development Checklist
Appendix B Resources for Teachers
Appendix A is a summary of each chapter, with a check list of salient points and tasks. It will serve as a handy review and reminder when you get down to the wire and the group starts to lose focus. I probably won't use the syllabus for a nine-week course in Appendix B, but I am most interested in the outline for a one-day seminar. For the truly serious, there is a section of assignments for each chapter, these are handy for a curriculum, but could also be used by an agency as an on-going group project to focus and integrate the grant writing team.
This is a resource for both beginning and experienced applicants. Every page has something new and/or interesting. As I went through the chapters, I kept wanting to add to this review, calling attention to this topic or that technique. I can't go on forever, so go get the book. I'm not sharing my copy.

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best "how to" for grantwriters, May 28, 2004

By	Cynthia J. Haruyama (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Grant writing is one of those activities for which there are many "how to" books. The real dilemma for novices-or even those of us with a few grants under our belt-is which book to adopt as our handy desk reference, its well-thumbed pages peppered with hi-liter and sticky notes. Getting Funded:The Complete Guide to Writing Grant Proposals by Mary Hall and Susan Howlett fits this role perfectly.

The latest update of a classic on the subject, this 2003 edition provides an excellent overview of all aspects of grantwriting, beginning with the most important steps of assessing the grant-applying organization's readiness and capacity for taking on the project and securing the necessary funding. Each of the 13 chapters are well-written and organized by sub-headings that assist the grantwriter to quickly locate and digest guidance at the applicable step in the long process of developing and writing a fundable grant application. Most of the chapters include a checklist that serves as a summary of the chapter as well as a handy reference tool for assuring all issues have been addressed

What I especially appreciated about this book was its continual reminder that the process of developing a project and writing a grant proposal is in itself a valuable learning experience. If it weren't so difficult to write a winning proposal, if funders didn't require such a high showing of competence and commitment, money would surely be easier to come by, but there is no guarantee that we would be spending it wisely. The process of grant development and writing, from budgets to case statements for our organizations, drives us in the non-profit world to ensure that our projects are the best and highest use of grantor funds to serve the needs of our communities. I highly recommend Getting Funded as the best resource available to help achieve this goal.

Cynthia Haruyama, Executive Director of Hoyt Arboretum Friends, Portland, Oregon

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grantwriting Strategies for Immediate Use, May 23, 2004

By	Katie Davis (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

The straightforward guidance offered by Susan Howlett and Mary Hall in "Getting Funded: The Complete Guide to Writing Grant Proposals" led to almost immediate profit for my organization. Accessible to grant writers at any level, the strategies in this book can be put to direct and immediate use. A range of grant makers have praised my proposals for their effectiveness -- and many have been funded! The ideas from Susan and Mary significantly enhance the chance for success of any proposal.