Before you can get funding, you need to build a solid foundation of grant writing skills. What better way to gain a solid understanding of how to be a successful grant writer than by reading the best grant writing books written by experts?
Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced grant writer, there’s always something to learn from the experts in the field. Here, we’ll feature several grant writing books broken down by skill level, why they’re quality resources, and other helpful materials created by the authors listed.
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best grant writing books for beginning grant writers
If you’re new to the art of writing grant applications, you’re probably wondering where to start. As a beginner grant writer, you must first develop a fundamental understanding of how grants work. Once you understand the grant application process, the information needed to apply, and the timeline, you can create a system to better approach grant writing.
However, with a wealth of knowledge available online and a plethora of books on the subject, how can you analyze all of that to identify the best books to read? don’t worry, we’ve done it for you.
Here is a list of some beginner books to help you build a solid foundation as a grant writer (in alphabetical order).
1. writing grant for dummies by dr. beverly a. golden
Arguably the most recognizable grant writing title on this list, The Grant Writing Guide For Dummies does what it says on the tin: it breaks down the grant writing process into digestible chunks and records everything in an extensive table of contents. A prolific grant writing teacher, Dr. browning breaks down the basics with sample applications to guide you through the process.
It is often referred to as the “go-to source” for grant writers. grant writing for dummies is what you’re looking for if you want to find the right grants, understand how to craft a compelling statement of need, stay compliant with federal grant regulations, and more.
dr. beverly a. Browning conducted a one-hour workshop to write compelling project objectives. If you need help writing goals that include smart goals and grant research keywords, this on-demand webinar is for you.
2. how to write a grant: become a grant writing unicorn by meredith noble
As you can tell from the title, this book offers a refreshingly fun take on grant writing. The second edition was released in May 2021 after the first edition was a #1 bestseller in grant writing and nonprofit fundraising.
This book will help you develop foundational skills and a basic understanding of grants, and then continue to build on your new knowledge by answering questions like what to do if a grant application is unsuccessful.
By reading this book, you’ll learn how to manage your time effectively so you don’t end up rushing an application, and you’ll get step-by-step instructions for the seven steps involved in writing a grant application. You’ll also learn how to submit a grant budget and even get a free spreadsheet template to make it easy.
Instead of applying for hundreds of grants and hoping for the best, Meredith Noble explains the importance of narrowing your search and selecting the key grants you’re most likely to win in this free grant workshop. Watch meredith’s on-demand webinar to learn how to calculate the competitiveness of a grant, understand the stages of the grant funnel, and more.
3. The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing: Tips, Tools & writing templates by holly rustick
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The beginning of this book’s blurb says, “grant writing shouldn’t feel like a trip to the dentist.” If you’re looking for a book to help you learn how to write a grant, this step-by-step guide might be for you.
As you read this book, you will learn how to delineate grant categories, grants. formula for writing strong grant applications and how to write a narrative, strategic budget, and budget narrative.
At just 163 pages, this guide is packed with instructions on how to write grants. With an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon, one reviewer calls this book the “gold standard for learning to write grant proposals.”
rustick is an instrumentl partner and has held a free grant workshop, 7 Tips for Writing Grants Like a Pro, which you may enjoy if his book piqued your interest. In the webinar, he can get key tips so he can clearly articulate his grant goals, submit grants on time, outline an accurate budget, and more.
4. The Complete Book of Grant Writing by Nancy Burke Smith and E. Gabriel works
As a beginner, you probably have a million questions, like “what are all the parts of a grant application?” and “how long should I wait for a response?” Nancy Burke Smith’s Guide to Grant Writing breaks down the basics and answers all your burning questions about grant writing.
With a list of the “five building blocks” of every grant application, a grant response timeline, and tips on how to become a professional grant writer, this book will give you the foundation you need as a beginner.
The best grant writing books for intermediate and advanced grant writers
many books on how to write grant applications describe only the basics of what you need to know. But when you’ve excelled past that point as an intermediate or even advanced grant writer, how do you find guidance? here are some of the best books you could read as an intermediate or advanced grant writer to help you hone your skills after you learn the basics.
1. write to influence by Carla D. low
Not just about grants, this book underscores the importance of well-written writing. From resumes to reviews to marketing and yes, even grants, write to influence! It will help you hone your writing skills to be as persuasive as possible.
As a finalist for the best book and product awards for retired US air force colonel carla d. bass, this book presents writing as a necessary skill to improve your life. By reading this book, you will learn how to write strong, detailed grant proposals. You’ll also learn that compelling writing is essential in every line you write, so you’ll write every part of your grant application accurately.
2. The Only Grant Writing Book You’ll Ever Need: The Best Grant Writers and Grantmakers Share Their Secrets by Ellen Karsh and Arlen Sue Fox
Originally published in 2003 and now in its fifth edition, this book has been marketed as an “insider’s guide” to the grant writing process. was written by grant writing experts who, according to the book’s blurb, have won millions of dollars in grants on behalf of government organizations and foundations.
Not only does this book provide strategic ways to present information to improve your grant application, but it also provides interviews from nonprofit leaders and grant funders, up-to-date tips for writing grants based on the social and economic climate current, and drills for practicing your skills until they’re rock solid.
Best Grant Writing Books for Nonprofit CEOs
As the leader of a nonprofit organization, CEOs may have a different relationship with grant applications than the typical grant writer. By overseeing every department in the organization, he’s trying to push the numbers and think strategically about the funding his team applies for.
These books have been selected for nonprofit CEOs to help you understand the grant writing process and the strategy behind it.
1. how to write a nonprofit grant proposal: writing winning proposals to fund your programs and projects by robin devereaux-nelson
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With an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon, Devereaux-Nelson’s book outlines the key steps involved in obtaining a grant. With chapters like “laying the groundwork” with tips for developing a strong business strategy and researching grants to “steps on how to develop a grant proposal,” this book not only provides an overview for understanding the high level of grant writing for organizations nonprofit, but then goes deeper into the details you need to pay attention to in writing a winning grant proposal.
If you’re looking for an accessible book that’s easy for beginners to understand and doesn’t include too much technical jargon, this book might be for you. In fact, one Amazon reviewer said that Devereaux-Nelson’s “casual tone makes grant writing accessible to everyone.”
2. the nonprofit marketing guide: high-impact, low-cost ways to build support for your cause by kivi leroux miller
This book helps you think about the strategy behind your nonprofit.
marketing and messaging. You may be wondering how a marketing strategy relates to grant applications. Developing a marketing strategy will help you identify the key messages to use to gain support for your grant application.
When you’ve finished reading this book, you’ll know how to refine your marketing goals, strategies, objectives, and tactics for nonprofit organizations. You’ll also get a detailed chapter on the key differences to point out between a theoretical nonprofit marketing plan and a plan you can put into practice in your real-world nonprofit.
You’ll get a descriptive breakdown of the five levels of marketing effectiveness, from beginner to expert, with essential tips for paying attention to the world around you and including it in your nonprofit marketing plan. By the end of this book, you should know how to segment your community, conduct online surveys, understand media kits, websites, email, and social media – all essential pieces of a truly effective marketing plan for nonprofits. for profit.
3. Nonprofit Hero: Five Easy Steps to Successful Board Fundraising by Valerie M. jones
written by valeria m. Jones who, according to her book blurb, secured $175 million in funding for nonprofits, this book takes the route of growing as a leader before asking for funding. To become a successful fundraiser, leaders must first understand their “asking personality” and cultivate a yes instead of “preparing” for a no.
Just 192 pages long, this book earned a 4.9 out of 5 rating on amazon. Five-star reviews have been left by many organization leaders, from directors of development to the chairman of a nonprofit board. Reviewer Lauren says that Jones’ “use of the Myers Briggs Personality Test, creation of a fundraising toolkit, and emphasis on specific steps in the fundraising cycle make this book stand out.” accessible and feasible.”
Summarizing: The Best Books on Grant Applications
Hopefully, this guide to nine of the best grant writing books will give you the guidance and knowledge you need to become a successful grant writer for your organization.
Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced grant writer or want to learn about the process as a leader in your organization, these books will give you key insights into the art of grant writing.
If you’d like to learn more about proposal writing, join instrumentl for our free proposal writing classes. Available on demand and taught by experts in the field, you can choose from a variety of grant writing topics.
With topics like How to Go From Zero to Hero with Your Grant-Writing Strategy to 5 Ways Your Association Builds More Grant Success, Faster, you can find classes by authors and other grant-writing experts to build your foundational skills.
If you liked this post, check out our grant writing resource guide, which reviews the best grant writing resources (both free and paid).
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