Proposal & Grant Writing Textbook

Proposal/Grant Writing is a comprehensive guide designed to help students conceptualize, develop, and write effective grant proposals for government, corporate, and foundation funding sources. This textbook covers essential topics such as analyzing persuasion strategies, evaluating Requests for Proposals (RFPs), exploring funding options, and creating systematic approaches to grant writing. It also provides step-by-step guidance on writing key elements of a proposal, modifying proposal appearance, and developing persuasive letter proposals. With a focus on responsible grant stewardship, the book emphasizes post-funding activities, sustainability, and meeting grant terms and conditions. Ideal for students and professionals, this resource equips readers with the skills needed to secure funding and manage grant projects successfully.

Course Competency 1: Analyze persuasion strategies.

Identify rhetorical appeals
Distinguish sponsor values
Document applicant credibility
Apply proposal logic
Examine proposal psychology and logic

Course Competency 2: Evaluate Request for Proposals (RFPs).

Assess for relevance
Assess for feasibility
Assess for probability
Analyze evaluation criteria
Ascertain funds availability
Confirm acceptable uses for funds
Distinguish alternative terms
Identify background/problem
Establish priority funding areas
Determine methodological approaches
Analyze timelines

Course Competency 3: Explore funding options for grant projects.

Match request with appropriate grant funders
Identify sponsor priorities
Access grant directories
Distinguish between public and private funding
Compose grant appeals
Explain strategies for personal contact

Course Competency 4: Create systematic approach to writing grants.

Plan questions using PREP method
Practice requesting application forms and guidelines
Construct appropriate communication for contacting past grantees
Construct appropriate communication for contacting reviewers
Construct appropriate communication for contacting program officers

Course Competency 5: Write elements of a proposal.

Compose an introduction
Describe the need or problem
Explain methodology
Determine evaluation methods
Predict methods of dissemination
Summarize project in abstract
Compose a cover letter

Course Competency 6: Modify proposal appearance.

Modify materials to match sponsor materials
Comply with style and layout requirements
Adhere to format requirements
Prepare charts and graphs to enhance materials
Select transitions to add coherence to narrative
Use white space for readability

Course Competency 7: Develop letter proposal.

Use proper business letter format
Compare letter proposals to full grant proposals
Summarize project elements
Create ancillary materials appropriate for letter proposals

Course Competency 8: Value responsible grant stewardship.

Prepare plan for site visits
Review plans to meet grant terms and conditions
Explain publicity plan for grant award
Investigate options for developing rapport with grantee

This video walks you through our online textbook hosted on the Pressbooks website and not this website. To access this book online, click below.

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This textbook is part of the WisTech Open collection and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

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License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Funded by State of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Technical College System funding for Open Educational Resources