Author:  Waddy Thompson

ISBN:  1-59257-151-4

The following review was contributed by: Shelley Bueché:     Click Here to Read More of Shelley's Reviews

This book is an excellent nuts-and-bolts guide to writing a grant, not only volunteers and first-time fundraisers, but also for those with a background in grant writing, but desire to take their careers to the next level.  Author Waddy Thompson works for the New York Foundation for the Arts and is personally responsible for bringing in five million dollars to the arts foundation, on an annual basis.

Thompson’s book serves as a step-by-step primer for “identifying potential sources, how to actually write a proposal, and what to do after it (the proposal) has been submitted.”  After perusing this highly useful reference guide, there is a CD-Rom that has sample applications and worksheets that can be downloaded and use as a template for designing your own proposals, ‘thank you’ letters to potential funding agencies, sample budget  outlines, along with an extensive list of Internet resources.

The Idiot’s Guide to Grant Writing is divided into the following chapters, serving as ready reference for later use:

Part 1:  Getting Started

Learn the basics of grant writing, and how to start from ‘scratch,’ along with just what it takes to become a good grant writer

Part 2:  Where the Money Is

Go behind the scenes to witness what goes on inside the funding foundations, here you will learn, according to the author, “what basic emotions come into play”

Part 3:  Research, or Just How Nosy Are You?

 

This section includes everything you want to know about foundations, including:

--What makes a foundation a foundation

--How the type of foundation influences your approach

--When is a foundation not a foundation

--Venture philanthropy--friend of foe?

Part 4:  Strategies for Success

 

Philanthropy facts, plus background information on in-kind gifts            

Part 5: Writing the Proposal

 

Down to the nitty-gritty of the book, you have done your research; now find out how to turn your valuable research into dollars

Part 6:  Post-Application

 

Now you’ve done your homework and you can relax … right?  Wrong, read this section for valuable tips on sending Thank You notes, follow up on communication, and begin research for your next funding idea

Appendixes

Offline Resources

Internet Resources

Sample Foundation Grant Proposal

Sample Corporate Grant Proposal

Sample Sponsorship Proposal

Sample Government Grant Proposal

Sample Final Report

Glossary

CD-ROM

Anyone who has ever been involved in fundraising knows that grant writing can be a rather bland experience, yet author Waddy Thompson has the perfect anecdote by injecting occasional humor with plenty of concrete examples to keep the reader alert and paying rapt attention:

Excerpt from Page 21--Words to the Wise

Never underestimate the value of naming

something, anything, for a donor. You don’t

have to put up a building to cash in on

naming opportunities. The coffee machine

can be named, or how about the new

television for the recreation room? Although

a number of donors shy away from naming,

others need the extra motivation.

Read “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Grant Writing” and you are on your way to becoming an experienced grant writer!