Customer Reviews

Grant Writing : Strategies for Developing Winning Proposals

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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!

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.

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.

This book was what we have been searching for. Easy to follow and understand. An extremely good value for what we anticipate we will generate in grant funding. We would highly recommend this book definitely for beginning grant writers and also for the more experienced grant seekers.

Mr. Miller clears the air about grant writing! I especially appreciated the exhibits for creating your own communications, reports, and documents. If someone was getting into grant writing, I'd make this required reading.

This is a great textbook for a class in grant preparation. The book presents major strategies in a clear and understandable manner. The exercises help students to apply the material they have read. Good quizzes at the back of each chapter as well as a comprehensive final exam to test students' knowledge. The selected references, especially the Web sites, are very helpful. If you are teaching "grant writing," this might be the book for your students.

Patrick W. Miller indeed provides strategies for winning grants in his second edition entitled, "Grant Writing: Strategies for Developing Winning Proposals." Throughout this easy to read book are limitless well-written definitions and descriptions, often in a sample format. Well thought out appendices and glossary of terms further strengthen the book.

The exercises at the end of each chapter are excellent for the beginner, as well as a wonderful review for those with experience. Within the exercises, the reader has opportunities to locate, review, and analyze solicitations; writing activities before and after call for proposals; writing and editing of narrative; budget spreadsheets; and a simulated proposal process with examples. The sample exhibits throughout the book present realistic directions so that even the most timid grant writer could approach the process with confidence.

Few details are left out of this book. For example, on page 73, the author not only emphasizes the various skills necessary to write a narrative, but he also includes the importance of "a place to write, tools for writing, time to write and a comfortable atmosphere away from distractions." It is the details that make it possible for this book to be an individual self-help course or for classroom use. If I were teaching a grant development class to community college instructors or non-profits, this book could be utilized for both settings.

Federal grants can be confusing and often present themselves as a maze. Patrick W. Miller, PhD., eliminates the confusion through a thorough exploration of each topic area. Particularly helpful are the explanations of the various federal agencies that offer solicitations and the author has included details of websites and how to navigate those websites.

In the preface, Patrick W. Miller, PhD., indicates that the book is designed "to walk funding seekers through the major phases of grant development." This is a true statement along with a variety of ideas and techniques that he presents to assist individuals and groups with developing a grant proposal. "Grant Writing: Strategies for Developing Winning Proposals" is an excellent resource and would serve multiple purposes for individuals and institutions that purchase the book.

Linda Narum, MS, Grants Development Specialist, North Dakota State University Extension Service, Fargo, ND, and North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton, ND.

Miller's second edition systematically covers the entire competitive grant writing process from identifying funding sources to the planning that organizations must undertake before making applications to the writing of actual proposals to following up after submissions. He goes beyond the mechanics in each section, providing advice as to key factors to be considered at each stage of the process.

Numerous exhibits will help the reader, particularly the new grant writer, in planning and preparing applications. For example, a planning chapter includes exhibits that advise how to structure requests for information from funding sources and how to obtain copies of previous winning proposals. Other chapters provide numerous samples and explanations of the various parts of a grant proposal, with an entire chapter devoted to budget preparation.

The authur includes a glossary, list of additional resources, and exercises with each chapter. The exercise solutions illustrate good planning practices and model proposal outlines, cover letters, and proposals. Individuals responsible for grant writing may find this a good text for workshops held for administrators and professionals within their organizations.

As an educator, I appreciated the concise format Dr. Miller used in his explanation of the complex process of grant writing. The organization of the book and detailed explanations of the phases involved in proposal writing helped the reader gain a clear understanding of the grant writing process. Especially useful were the numerous exhibits used to illustrate sample letters, graphs, flowcharts, budgets, etc. involved in the grant writing process.
The chapter reviews and practice activities actively engaged the reader into a guided practice of required components at each phase. The numerous tips and strategies from an experienced grant writer will help this inexperienced educator procur funds for my school district. Many thanks, Dr. Miller!

Grant Writing: Strategies for Developing Winning Proposals, is a comprehensive guide to writing winning grant proposals. It takes the reader through the entire grant process, including researching funding sources, steps to develop a proposal before and after the RFP is released, writing and editing, preparing budgets, reproducing and delivering proposals, and postsubmission activities. It prepares the grant writer not only to write good proposals, it instructs how to write winning proposals. It is easy to read and includes charts, graphs, samples, and review questions and exercises.I highly recommend this book to anyone aspriring to win large federal grants, but it can be useful to those seeking smaller State or private grants as well.