Grant Writing For Dummies, 5th Edition

I had the third edition of this book, from 2009, and thought that it would be helpful to upgrade to the 5th edition. I'm an experienced grant-writer, having secured federal and state grants for economic development, research and the arts.This book is a comprehensive overview of the grant-writing process. Dr. Browning takes the you through the complex process of applying for federal grants, and includes topics such as registering for the government databases (SAM), and the question of how to budget for administrative and facilities costs. Since federal grants are probably the most complicated of all funding requests, it is really helpful to map out that process. Corporate and foundation grant applications will tend to be less involved.If anything, the book emphasizes that you really have to have your act together *before* applying for a grant. Figure out your partners, your real costs of delivery, the demographics of those who will benefit from a grant, and be able to articulate the background and mission of your organization and the purpose for which you are seek funding.The book has substantial advice on program planning, data gathering and how to evaluate your funded program.Edition 5, from 2014 identifies an upcoming trend. Many foundations and corporate funders now request a "letter of inquiry" or concept letter as the initial contact. They will review such letters and and if interested will invite the applicant to submit a full proposal. And, almost all submissions are done online these days.The book suggests that a good grant writer is able to be successful at least 75% of the time (i.e. 3 out of 4 applications will be funded). That will happen only if you have successfully identified relevant funders, and have all of the prerequisites in place before submitting your application. Thankfully, Grant Writing for Dummies will give you much of what is needed to have everything in place for your next successful proposal.

This book is quite helpful, and I am impressed by its comprehensiveness and detail. For many persons, it is a one-stop-shop for information on how to write grants successfully. I am especially impressed by the section on “Digging Up Grant Funding Opportunities” which provides lots of information on how to do just that. The chapter on exploring Grants.gov is particularly notable, as many books on grants barely touch on this important government website. But while the book will be helpful for many persons, this does not include faculty working in college and university settings. Little information is provided that would be helpful to faculty seeking grant awards. For faculty, Cynthia Carr’s “The Nuts & Bolts of Grant Writing” provides detailed and very helpful guidance for successfully writing grants in college and university contexts (including navigating Grants.gov). Take my word for it, writing successful academic grants is a specialty area that requires a book focused on the subject, which Carr’s book does outstandingly. So if your faculty, Carr’s book is the way to go.

This book is a good resource for those who are trying to write grants.

Dr. Bev is a sweetheart in person, and a grant writing guru overall! Every new grant writer should purchase this book and give it a read. It was the first grant writing book I read when I was new to the sector, and it helped me tremendously along the way. I still keep my personal copy on my desk, not very far from reach.

I bought this book to learn about grant writing and to see if this was something I wanted to do. The format of the book makes it easy to understand the step by step guide to finding and obtaining grant monies. There are also many references in the book to online resources. I found that it made the overwhelming task of researching how to write grants, less scary and stressful.

Good information for part of my Human Service Delivery and Administration major in my university pertaining to Nonprofit Grant Writing. It's new and clean, but just don't like that it's paperback, because I have it about two week and the binding already torn

Has all the information a newbie to the Grant Writing world needs to get started, and more. Information in this manual is helpful for other applications, such as writing business proposals. Information is cataloged in such a manner it makes this a valuable reference book long after the initial reading.

Dr. Browning's work is impeccable. She is a comfortable and practical read. I was quickly able to make application of her directions and best practice recommendations. She is truly the Grant Writer's teacher. Thank you Dr. Bev!

This is an outstanding book and I also bought the kindle version, I would recommend this book.