Grant Writing : Strategies for Developing Winning Proposals [Paperback]

Patrick W. Miller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2000

Grant Writing: Strategies for Developing Winning Proposals is designed to walk the funding seeker through the major phases of grant development. This book represents more than nine years of ideas and techniques used in the development of grant proposals. It includes seven chapters with more than 50 exhibits. A series of review questions and exercises are presented at the end of each chapter to reinforce the readers' learning. Exercises in this book were developed to teach proposal writing and budget development skills to new and experienced grant writers. The book also includes a glossary, selected funding resources, and comprehensive review questions.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Patrick W. Miller believes that funding seekers who win grants on a consistent basis usually follow a series of comprehensive proposal development activities. Grant Writing: Strategies for Developing Winning Proposals presents six fundamental phases of grant development: (1) activities before the RFP/RFA is released; (2) prewriting activities after the RFP/RFA is released; (3) writing, reviewing, rewriting, and editing the narrative; (4) preparing the budget; (5) producing, reproducing, packaging, and delivering the proposal; and (6) postsubmission activities.

Grant Writing: Strategies for Developing Winning Proposals focuses on organizing, writing, and submitting grant proposals and budgets. Topics include making smart bidding decisions, following appropriate bidding strategies, writing convincing themes, using compliance checklists, determining sound budgets, submitting appropriate and complete documents, and preparing for postsubmission activities such as responding to questions and negotiating with governmental personnel.

About the Author

Patrick W. Miller has worked as a Director of Grants and Contracts, Proposal Manager, and Contract Administrator. He has served as national grant reviewer and panel leader for the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, Dr. Miller has been a grant and project consultant to school districts, as well as an instructor to college and university faculty and staff on methods of completing and submitting grant applications.

Dr. Miller has been a university professor and academic administrator. He has taught professional and technical courses, supervised student teachers, advised graduate and undergraduate students, and served on numerous departmental, college, and university committees. He has authored more than 100 articles, five books, and presented papers at national, state, and regional conferences.

Patrick W. Miller is listed in Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who in America, and Who's Who in the World. Dr. Miller holds a Ph.D. in education from The Ohio State University, as well as a master's certificate in Government Contracting from The George Washington University School of Business and Public Management.

Product Details

• Paperback: 170 pages
• Publisher: Patrick W. Miller & Associates (July 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096732792X
• ISBN-13: 978-0967327921
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,612,591 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Really Like This Book!, June 11, 2001

By 

"msteinz" (IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grant Writing : Strategies for Developing Winning Proposals (Paperback)

I purchased "Grantwriting: Strategies for Developing Winning Proposals" last November. Obviously, I have waited a while and used the material in the book before coming back to write this review. I would hope that this review will be helpful to others considering to purchase it; as well as to Mr Miller who has done us all a service, and may be interested in learning how his creation is "put to work"; and to "the sales powers" Amazon who have a potential for strong sales here!

I have 33 years of experience in public/private non-profit alternative and postsecondary education, which includes instruction and administration (including state-level grant program administration which often dealt with federal grant funds); significant experience with grant writing, reading/rating/awarding; actual RFP/RFA development; and significant experience with a number of board members, educators, administrators, and "grant-hopefuls" who have "little-to-none" such knowledge or experience! I currently work at a large, dynamic community college at which tying grant acquisition methodically and constructively to the mission, goals and fiscal/programmatic "culture" is a definite priority. When I saw this author target this priority in his preface, I knew I had found a special resource. When I looked at the other freely-shared resources (books, publications, websites, and federal agencies), I was even more convinced that I had a strong resource developed by an author who "has been there" and is providing a professional service, not worrying about competition. I have not been disappointed. In fact, I am a department of "one," and this book makes me feel as though I have a resourceful colleague right here when I need one!

Mr Miller's book is certainly not the only book on grantwriting I have read and owned, but it has fast become a favorite "tool." Here is why: There is something of value for institutional development professionals who range from novice to "pro." It does not intimidate the novice or insult the intelligence of a "pro," rather, it gives the total federal grant picture in a practical, "user-friendly" format (a primer for the novice, a resource for the "pro"). It can be used developmentally, taking chapters and exhibits in sequence, and it can be used topically and "out of order" to serve specific purposes. When I have a request, it is great to be able to share information that is already organized and formatted in a way I would do (and trust) myself. With all respect to this author, I have broken my book into looseleaf form for my added convenience when working with teams and individuals (including my president and board) - who either need to understand federal grants for institutional/departmental planning or who will actually write proposals for new money, to build on an existing funded program, or to replace a grant that has either been rejected or has "sunset."

I plan to use "Grant Writing: Strategies for Developing Winning Proposals" as a resource text (as a whole, or in part) for formal grant classes and workshops I plan in the coming year(s)...adding my own continuously improving expertise and examples of successful and unsuccessful grant proposals to illustrate certain points. Thank you, Mr Miller, and thank you, Amazon!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have Book for Any Grant Writer, June 24, 2001

By 

James C. Skaine (Cedar Falls, IA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grant Writing : Strategies for Developing Winning Proposals (Paperback)

Patrick W. Miller has written an excellent book for anyone who wants to write a successful grant proposal. Grant Writing: Strategies for Developing Winning Proposals is full of useful information and is organized in the most effective way for the aspiring grant writer.

One strength of the book is its focus on having the reader LEARN grant writing. The first time grant writer can use the book to guide her/him step by step through the process and that is good, but Grant Writing enables the grant writer to understand fully the ins and outs of the process.

Patrick Miller has extensive experience as a grant writer, so what he has in Grant Writing comes after having written dozens of funded grant proposals.

Grant Writing is a must book to have for anyone who wants to write winning proposals.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource, July 16, 2001

By 

Stephen Nunes (Chicago Heights, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grant Writing : Strategies for Developing Winning Proposals (Paperback)

Grant writing is both a science and an art. It requires attention to detail as well as an intuitive grasp of what the grantor is looking for. I believe that Miller's "Grant Writing, Strategies for Developing Winning Proposals" does an excellent job of addressing both these characteristics.

There are a number of outstanding characteristics in this book. I found the highlighted material in each chapter to be extremely helpful. The material highlighted in these "exhibits" constitutes the major steps the grant writer must take in order to write a winning grant. It is a step by step walk through the essence of sucessful grant writing. Another aspect of the book I found helpful were the review questions at the end of each chapter. There questions served to provide a review of the basic knowledge necessary in writing grants. Finally, the recommended exercises at the end of each chapter provide an opportunity to the reader to practice the skills identified in the chapter.

"Grant Writing,Strategies for Developing Winning Proposals" is informative and hands-on, a unique combination that makes for an extremely valuable resource for grant writers.