The Only Grant-Writing Book You'll Ever Need

As a student with little grant writing experience, this book helped me understand EVERYTHING about grant writing, what it means to be a grant writer (and how to do so PROPERLY), and what it is like to be a grantor from the other perspective. It is a very digestible, easy to read book. I will forever value this book and go back to it for when I have to write grants. What an amazing find (and hidden gem) of a book.

Many small businesses, non-profits, individual researchers, and larger institutions depend on grants to fund their activities and livelihoods. Whether from private foundations or governmental entities, these funds are given through a competitive process. Through market forces, this process seeks to align funders’ desires with projects that achieve results. This book seeks to demystify this process and provide readers with a “leg up” to write better grant proposals.Karsh and Fox’s work is primarily geared towards writers of socially oriented grants. Its examples include primarily social causes, not basic research. I work in the sciences, and this book does not include many examples of these kind of projects. However, it’s guiding advice and principles certainly can apply to those type of projects, too. I’m just going to have to read another book geared towards scientific grant-writing, too.I honestly lack the experience to judge the trustworthiness of this Karsh and Fox’s advice. Like many potential readers, I am more in need of insight than able to judge reliability. Nonetheless, the communication style is clear and expressive. Obviously, this book, now in its fifth edition, has gone through many rounds of editing. Its voice is mature, and its points, well-thought-out.Of special note, the authors have consulted grant givers extensively in the preparation of this book. As such, this book offers useful, practical tips towards garnering a favorable response. They even include several chapters of “roundtable” advice that explore relevant topics. For decades, Karsh was a grant giver in a prior career, and Fox, a grant writer. Their powerful combination produces much insight. Especially for projects aligned for social impact, this book provides a healthy repository of advice that should be consulted before any proposal words are written.

Jam-packed with Advice on Writing Stories into Your ProposalIn the fourth edition of The Only Grant Writing Book You’ll Ever Need, I found the authors’ general opinions to be skeptical but realistic. As a PhD student requirement (and useful function to learn) in many doctoral programs, I enrolled in Pepperdine University’s grant writing course. I chose to review this book as a way to familiarize myself with the process. As someone without any background in grants, I found this book to be of great service to me in preparing an applied research proposal for funding. Most suggestively, I found it useful to read the Table of Contents first and plan to read over the most relevant sections first (for my uses) before reading the whole book. These included the Appendices 1-4 which I found quite practical, some in list format and sample grant proposals were also provided.Significant aspects of this edition were the meaningful inclusion of purpose and storytelling. Even if you cannot digest or read this entire book, read Lesson 1 (and maybe Lesson 2), and then skip to page 74 on Individual Grant Seekers. Lesson 1 highlights the importance of knowing who you are and why you want a grant. What are you doing in the world? Think big picture. How’s the grant going to help the funder? Why are you unique? What will your project do for humanity? How are you affiliated with the university or organization that is actually receiving the grant? What’re your driving passions?In Lesson 4’s section on Individual Grant Seekers, there is practical information for people who do not intend on setting up a non-profit organization. For students, in particular, this is a must-read component. The authors say that you must prepare the following documents if you’re an individual grant seeker: (1) resume or curriculum vitae, (2) a portfolio, (3) reviews, (4) list of partners or clients.Another useful tip was to write as you speak. There is no need for academic language or big words. Be clear and concise without over using verbiage that will lose your audience. Acronyms and jargon must be avoided.One thing I didn’t like was the pop quiz sections at the end of each lesson. Answers are hidden in the back of the book. I would have preferred simple chapter summaries instead.You can expect easy readability and high applicability of the text with examples throughout. My favorite part was Part 1: Prerequisites. The authors kept a fun and light attitude throughout the book, often using humor to keep me reading further, for example, “[m]y car was totaled; can I get a grant? No” (Fox and Fox,2014).I would highly recommend this book to students in a similar position of needing funding for research because there are many useful and concrete lessons I will bring with me to that process, as learned from this book.Karsh, E., & Fox, A. S. (2014). The Only Grant-Writing Book You’ll Ever Need. Basic Books a Member of Perseus Books Group.

All the basics are there

Really excited to read this book, but disappointed in the shape it was in when I got it...

Thank you

Unfortunately it is american not canadian

Excellent condition as expected