Grant Writing: Strategies for Developing Winning Proposals (2nd Edition) [Paperback]

Patrick W. Miller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2002

Grant Writing: Strategies for Developing Winning Proposals (Second Edition) walks you through the major phases of grant development—from finding potential funds to preparing successful proposals. In this comprehensive book, author Patrick W. Miller, Ph.D. shares tips and tricks of grant writing and budget development while providing concise guidelines, ideas, and techniques for preparing grant applications.

The book includes:

- 8 chapters with clear methods for developing grant applications

- 270 pages with more than 75 illustrations and examples

- 130 review questions and answers to stimulate learning

- 13 exercises on proposal writing and budget development

- 95 glossary terms for quick reference

- 70 up-to-date resources, including Web sites

The intent of this book is to help you win competitive grants. If you are seeking private and foundation funds, you will also find the techniques in this book useful.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Grant Writing: Strategies for Developing Winning Proposals (Second Edition) represents a complete revision and update of the first edition. With 270 pages of content, Grant Writing begins with a new chapter on funding sources, which references numerous Web sites and other sources to assist readers in locating potential funding opportunities. The remaining seven chapters include dozens of new and revised charts, tables, figures, and sample letters that illustrate key points made throughout the book. All chapters use review questions to reinforce key content (answers are located in the appendix) and end with grant proposal and budget development exercises—pre-tested by hundreds of grant seminar participants—that reinforce grant concepts necessary to develop winning grant applications. These helpful exercises represent a key difference between this and other grant books on the market.

Chapter exercises provide writers with hands-on experiences, including:

- Locating and reviewing grant solicitations

- Analyzing grant solicitations

- Listing winning grant proposal characteristics

- Describing grant planning activities

- Preparing compliance checklists

- Developing proposal outlines and schedules

- Preparing grant applications

- Editing grant narrative

- Preparing proposal budgets

- Describing strategies for reproducing, packaging, and delivering grant proposals

- Evaluating grant proposals

A glossary, list of resources, and comprehensive review questions are presented at the end of the book. Chapter and comprehensive review answers, as well as exercise answers, are located in the appendix.

About the Author

Patrick W. Miller, Ph.D., 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, Miller has been a grant and project consultant to school districts and a mentor to college and university faculty and staff on methods of completing and submitting grant applications.

Miller has been a university professor and academic administrator teaching professional and technical courses, advising graduate and undergraduate students and serving on numerous departmental, college, and university committees. He has written more than 100 articles and authored five books.

Miller frequently speaks about grant writing at conferences for professional associations. He teaches grant writing classes to faculty and graduate students at several universities and conducts proposal development workshops throughout the United States for members of nonprofit organizations.

Patrick W. Miller is listed in Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the World. 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: 270 pages
• Publisher: Patrick W Miller & Associates; 2nd edition (August 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967327954
• ISBN-13: 978-0967327952
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,461,461 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.