If you are planning to write a grant or are looking for resources to help you with your grant writing, you have come to the right place. I curated for you some of the best-sellers in this regard. But before we explore the collection, let us first discuss what grant writing is all about and what you need to consider to select the right grant-writing book for your needs.
What is grant writing?
As you probably know, grant writing is the process of applying for government or private funding to support research and/or other projects. Grant writing can be an intimidating task, as it requires an integrated set of skills that include research and writing skills, communication skills, collaboration skills, among others. Also, Grant writers need to have an eye for detail and be able to communicate complex ideas in concise language.
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Grant writing requires a considerable amount of research which is why it is important to have access to reliable resources. Reading grant writing books is one of the best ways to gain knowledge about this process.
Grant writing books provide you with all the necessary information, tips, and strategies to create a successful and competitive grant proposal. They will teach you about the different types of grants available, how to find potential funding sources, how to craft an effective grant proposal, and how to follow-up with funders. Grant writing books can also provide helpful templates and examples of successful grant proposals that you can use as a reference when writing your own.
How to choose the right grant writing book for your needs?
To choose the right grant writing book, you need to take into account the following considerations. First among these considerations is your level of experience in writing grants. Are you a complete beginner? If so, you may want to look into grant writing books geared towards beginners. These types of books often provide basic information, tips, and strategies for grant writing.
On the other hand, if you are an experienced grant writer, then you may want to look into grant writing books that offer more advanced topics such as advanced research methods and strategies for attracting funding.
Second consideration is the type of grant proposal you are working on. Some grant writing books specialize in specific topics such as health care grants or education grants. Finally, make sure to read reviews of grant writing books before purchasing one. This will help you determine which grant writing book is the best fit for your needs.
Recommendations for grant writing books
Here are some of my top recommendations for grant writing books:
1. Grant Writing: The Complete Workbook for Writing Grant Proposals that Win, by Mary Gladstone-Highland
“The book provides answers to many of the questions that arise during the grant writing process. From planning the project to writing the application you can find answers to questions such as:
- What is a grant?
- Who can apply?
- Where do I find grant opportunities?
- What information should I include?
- How do I craft a compelling story?
- How to write a grant budget?
- How do I connect with funders?
Grant Writing helps you to implement the suggestions through examples and thought-provoking check-ins called “Think like a Grantor.” At the end of the book, you will find helpful grant writing templates, including a grant application template, a grant budget example, and much more.”
2. Perfect Phrases for Writing Grant Proposals, by Beverly Browning
“With hundreds of ready-to-use “Perfect Phrases,” you’ll quickly know the right words to use for the three major sections of every successful grant proposal:
- How to introduce yourself, your program, and your achievements
- How to describe your goals-and what funding will accomplish
- What you should include as your supporting documents
With this comprehensive, user-friendly approach to grant writing, you’ll be able to tackle the various proposal formats, create a professional purpose statement, and back up your plan with solid data. Plus, you’ll discover some insider secrets that will really get the attention you want-and the funding you need.”
3. Winning Grants Step by Step: The Complete Workbook for Planning, Developing, and Writing Successful Proposals, by Tori O’Neal-McElrath, Lynn Kanter, Lynn Jenkins English
“From small startups to established national organizations, nonprofits large and small depend on grant funding to survive and thrive. Winning Grants Step by Step: The Complete Workbook for Planning, Developing, and Writing Successful Proposals has long been the go-to resource for individuals and organizations looking for a clear, easy-to-follow approach to tackling the grant-writing process and winning funds.
Now, in this revised Fifth Edition, changes and developments in the not-for-profit sector are integrated into the time-tested grant-writing formula that has proven effective time and again.”
4. Proposals That Work: A Guide for Planning Dissertations and Grant Proposals, by Lawrence F. Locke, Waneen W. Spirduso, Stephen Silverman
“Covering all aspects of the proposal process, from the most basic questions about form and style to the task of seeking funding, Proposals That Work offers clear advice backed up with excellent examples. In the fifth edition, the authors have included a discussion of the effects of new technologies and the Internet on the proposal process, with URLs listed where appropriate.
In addition, there are new sections covering alternative forms of proposals and dissertations and the role of academic rigor in research. The authors have also included a number of specimen proposals, two that are completely new to this edition, to help shed light on the important issues surrounding the writing of proposals.”
5. Winning Grants: How to Write Winning Grant Proposals That Will Get You Funding for Your Nonprofit, by James Ruell
In Winning Grants, you will learn:
- The Basics of Grants—from understanding what grants really are and how they work, to various types of grant proposals, it’s all covered
- Nine self-assessment questions to help you decide whether to apply for a grant or not
- Grant Writing 101—explore the 10-step process to writing an irresistible grant application (complete with samples and templates to get you started!)
- Skill-Building DIY Tasks—engage in tons of activities to help sharpen your grant-writing skills
- Practical tips and tricks to make your nonprofit stand out from the crowd
- And much more.”
6. Grant Writing for Teachers and Administrators, by Dr. Bruce Sliger
” Dr. Sliger’s ingenious “grant writing rubic” ensures that whether you’re applying for a large federal grant or a small local one, your proposal will stand out above the rest and have the best possible chance for acceptance. .. Dr. Sliger founded ECS Grants, Inc., 16 years ago. He develops and holds seminars on grant writing, and has taught his methods to thousands of individuals and numerous national organizations.
He has conducted hundreds of local, state and national grant writing sessions and authored several articles on grant writing. A Professor of Graduate Education at Mercer University with over 25 years of experience in his profession, Dr. Sliger was honored with the prestigious Excellence in Teaching Award. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia.”
7. Proposal Writing: Effective Grantsmanship for Funding, by Soraya M. Coley, Cynthia A. Scheinberg
This updated edition of Proposal Writing: Effective Grantsmanship for Funding “offers a fresh, robust presentation of the basics of program design and proposal writing for community services funding. Authors Soraya M. Coley and Cynthia A. Scheinberg help readers develop the knowledge they need to understand community agencies, identify and describe community needs, identify funding sources, develop a viable program evaluation, prepare a simple line-item budget, and write a compelling need statement. The jargon-free, step-by-step presentation makes the book as useful to students in the university classroom as to first-time grant writers in the nonprofit setting.”
8. The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing: Tips, Tools, & Templates to Write Winning Grants, by Holly Rustick
In the Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing, you will learn :
- “1.The myths and truths about grants
- 2.The different grant categories
- 3.The grant mindset
- 4.The five basic parts of writing a grant 5. The G.R.A.N.T.S. formula
- Bonuses: Resources, templates, and a video series! Are you ready to become a grant writing master?
- C’mon, what have you got to lose? Oh right, all that grant money!”
9. Grant Writing For Dummies, by Beverly A. Browning
“In Grant Writing For Dummies, Dr. Beverly Browning draws on over four decades of experience writing grant applications and training grant writers to deliver a comprehensive and easy-to-follow roadmap to drafting and submitting grant applications that get funded. You’ll learn to craft the strongest application possible, find the best sources of funding from online databases, and present a realistic project budget plan.”