Oftentimes, people charged with the task of writing grant proposals have little or no training in the process, and many actually feel intimidated by the act of writing. In Storytelling for Grantseekers, consultant and trainer Cheryl A. Clarke helps fundraisers overcome these hurdles by presenting an organic approach to proposal writing. Grantseekers who have used this unique process discover that telling the organization's story in narrative form (complete with settings, characters, antagonists, and resolutions), can help them connect with grantmakers and ultimately have greater success with funders.
This fresh and creative guide contains the resources needed to help you craft a persuasive synopsis, package a compelling story, and create a short story approach to the inquiry and cover letters that support the larger proposal. Clarke walks grantseekers through all the phases of developing an effective proposal and highlights the creative elements that link components to each other and unify the entire proposal. Clarke also stresses the need to see proposal writing as part of a larger grantseeking effort, one that emphasizes preparation, working with the entire development staff, and maintaining good relations with funders.
Using the suggestions outlined in Storytelling for Grantseekers, new and seasoned grantseekers will discover how to channel their passion to tell their organization's tale and create winning proposals.
Grantwriters, it turns out, have plenty in common with fiction and nonfiction storytellers. Like these other writers, says Cheryl A. Clarke in Storytelling for Grantseekers, grantseekers need to "transport readers to another location and teach them about people they may know nothing about." Grantwriting is often a tedious experience. Make it creative, says Clarke. To better capture the imagination (and wallet) of your audience, observe your agency in action as would a reporter, then craft what you see into a narrative as would a novelist. Your nonprofit agency is your hero; your story is about "people being helped, and their lives possibly being changed forever" because of the services provided by your agency. This is a passionate, clear, knowledgeable guidebook, sure to "put the joy and creativity back into the grantseeking process." With additional chapters on finding and cultivating appropriate grantmakers, forming a budget, and packaging your proposal. --Jane Steinberg
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A Innovative Approach to Grant Writing:
Cheryl Clark inspires the potential grant seeker with a thoughtful and innovative process for fundraising. A fundraising consultant, trainer and short story author, Clark argues persuasively that fundraising -- and specifically proposal writing -- should incorporate the techniques of storytelling. A story sets a scene, has characters, and builds tension. A good proposal does the same. Most people recognize a great story. Grant makers are not unique. By crafting your proposal as an opportunity to... more info
Superb Proposal Writing Resource Takes You Beyond Traditional ...:
Most grantwriting books cover the basics which, if you know how to read and apply grant application guidelines, you already have down. Imagine yourself, for a moment, on the other side of the table, sifting through tens of hundreds of grant proposals to determine which ones your foundation will fund - and every proposal as tedious as the last. BUT, if you want to craft truly compelling FUNDED proposals that ENGAGE the reader, "Storytelling for Grantseekers: The Guide to Creative Nonprofit... more info
Storytelling Is Helpful:
Sarah S. Brophy Storytelling for Grantseekers: The Guide to Creative Nonprofit Fundraising is a solid basic proposal-writing book with a twist on how to develop a compelling narrative. Clarke writes in the Preface "I believe that grant seekers will be more enthusiastic about writing proposals, and that their proposals will be more passionate and consequently more effective, when grant seekers begin using the storytelling techniques described in this book." Sometimes the author works a bit hard at... more info
The BEST BOOK on Grantwriting!!!!:
I've been involved with fundraising for over 25 years (from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston to the Bermuda Biological Station for Research in Bermuda) and this is, without a doubt THE BEST BOOK on nonprofit grantwriting I have ever had the pleasure of reading! It has everything - it's intelligently written with clear concise, step by step directions on how to bring passion, creativity and success to any fundraising/grantwriting effort! It is "short" - just a little over 100... more info
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