Grant writing is one of those topics that seems very technical and esoteric, yet you probably already know more about it than you think you do. But before I go any further, let’s be clear about just what grant writing is and isn’t.

Grant writing is the skill or practice of asking for money in the form of a grant from a foundation, corporation, or government agency by crafting a well-considered document (the proposal) that outlines how the money will be used, what receiving the money will accomplish, and who will undertake the tasks described in the proposal.

Grant writing is not about writing a group of friends to get each of them to give $25 for the local library. (That sort of fundraising is called direct mail or unsolicited third-class mail, but never junk mail if you are in the business of raising money.)

Grant writing is about creating a proposal, which you can send to local corporations or foundations asking for several thousand dollars for the local library. On occasion, proposals will be written to individuals when a four- to seven-figure gift is being sought, and I cover that in this book, too. But for the most part, you’ll be concerned with getting largish sums of money from some kind of institution or another. Grant writing is an important part of any fundraising program, which would likely include at least direct mail and special events as well.

I start off with what I think you already know and finish this chapter with the key things you need to know about the practice of grant writing. Then I show you how to pursue the technical aspects in the remaining chapters of the book.