Book description
Grantwriters often have little or no training in the practical task of grantseeking. Many feel intimidated by the act of writing, and some don't enjoy writing. In Storytelling for Grantseekers, Second Edition, Cheryl Clarke presents an organic approach to grantseeking, one that views the process through the lens of the pleasures and rewards of crafting a good story. Grantseekers who approach the process as one in which they are connecting with an audience (grantmakers) and writing a narrative (complete with settings, characters, antagonists and resolutions) find greater success with funders. The writing process becomes a rewarding way to tell the organization's tale, rather than a chore, and their passion and creativity lead to winning proposals.
This book walks readers through all the main phases of the proposal, highlighting the creative elements that link components to each other and unify the entire proposal. The book contains resources on crafting an effective synopsis, overcoming grantwriter's block, packaging the story, and the best ways to approach the "short stories" (inquiry and cover letters) that support the larger 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. In Storytelling for Grantseekers, new and experienced grantseekers alike will discover how to write and support successful proposals with humor and passion.
New edition features:
- Overall updates as well as both refreshed and new examples
- Workshop exercises for using the storytelling approach
- New chapters on the application of the storytelling method to other fundraising communications like appeal letters and case statements, as well as the importance of site visits
- Example of a full narrative proposal
Table of contents
- Praise
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Foreword
- Dedication
- PREFACE
- Acknowledgements
- THE AUTHOR
- Introduction
- chapter ONE - First Steps
- chapter TWO - Research and Relationships
- chapter THREE - The Short Story
- chapter FOUR - The Proposal Narrative
-
chapter FIVE - The Need or Problem
- UNDERSTANDING THE STORY ARC
- WHO IS THE ANTAGONIST?
- HOW LONG SHOULD THE NEEDS SECTION BE?
- APPLYING THE STORYTELLING METHOD
- JOINING FORCES WITH OTHER HEROIC AGENCIES
- USING DATA AND STATISTICS EFFECTIVELY
- PUTTING A HUMAN FACE ON THE PROBLEM
- GIVING THE LEAD CHARACTERS A VOICE
- WHOSE NEED IS IT ANYWAY?
- PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER
- SUMMARY
- chapter SIX - Goals, Objectives, and Methods
- chapter SEVEN - Evaluation and Future Funding
-
chapter EIGHT - The Budget
- WHO TRANSLATES THE NARRATIVE TO NUMBERS?
- WHAT THE BUDGET IS
- HOW TO BUDGET FOR CONTINUING PROGRAMS
- HOW TO BUDGET FOR NEW PROGRAMS
- A NOTE ABOUT BUDGET NOTES
- EXPECTED REVENUES: MORE DETAIL
- EXPECTED EXPENSES: MORE DETAIL
- OTHER COSTS THAT CAN BE ALLOCATED IN A PROGRAM BUDGET
- TAKE ONLY ONE BITE OF THE APPLE
- INCLUDING IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS
- CASH FLOW ANALYSIS
- FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- SUMMARY
- chapter NINE - The Summary, Titles, and Headings
- chapter TEN - Packaging
- chapter ELEVEN - Site Visits and Beyond
- chapter TWELVE - Beyond Grants
- AFTERWORD
- appendix - The Final Manuscript: Two Letter Proposal Samples
- INDEX
Product information
- Title: Storytelling for Grantseekers: A Guide to Creative Nonprofit Fundraising
- Author(s):
- Release date: January 2009
- Publisher(s): Jossey-Bass
- ISBN: 9780470381229
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