Too often in non-profit services we try to do everything on our own.  Because we are so used to operating with limited resources, when resources are available we may fail to utilize them.  Rather than "re-inventing the wheel" of grant writing, for example program administrators should utilize the compiled expertise of other successful grant writers.  There are numerous books and websites available to help us with our grant-writing and funding efforts.  One book, for example, "Getting Funded: The Complete Guide to Writing Grant Proposals" is relatively inexpensive but contains a great deal of grant writing expertise.  It is ranked very high by customers on Amazon.com.

      Even if only one piece of advice was taken from the book, but that piece made the difference between a failing and successful grant application, it would be well worth the list price.  Perhaps by sharing our expertise, and learning from others, we will be better able to obtain funding for our mission-critical programs.

Check out our reading list for Grants & Fundraising!