Picture this: Your nonprofit is doing incredible work, but funding is tight. You know grants could be the answer, but every application feels like throwing spaghetti at the wall.

Enter Writing Winning Grants, which promises to reveal the “secrets” most organizations never learn. After reviewing dozens of grant guides (and writing plenty of proposals myself), I put this one to the test. Here’s what you actually get.

What’s Inside (The Good, The Bad, and The “Meh”)

The Strongest Sections

1. The “Reviewer Mindset” Chapter
   • Explains exactly what happens when your application hits a reviewer’s desk
   • Shows real examples of “first round cuts” (and how to avoid them)
2. The Budget Breakdown
   • Goes beyond basic templates to explain why certain line items raise red flags
   • Includes a sneaky trick for “matching funds” requirements
3. The Follow-Up Playbook
   • Most books say “follow up”—this gives actual scripts for calls/emails that work

Where It Falls Short

• The “Secret Sauce” Isn’t So Secret
  • Much of the advice is solid but not revolutionary (great for beginners, less so for veterans)
• Light on Digital Grants
  • Focuses heavily on traditional foundations, less on newer online opportunities
• Few Real-World Samples
  • Uses hypotheticals instead of showing actual winning proposals

Who’s This Actually For?

✅ You’ll Love It If:

• You’re new to grant writing or keep getting rejected
• You need help with foundation grants (not government RFPs)
• You want specific phrases and templates (not just theory)

❌ Skip It If:

• You’ve won multiple grants already
• You’re focused on government/corporate grants
• You want cutting-edge AI-assisted strategies

The Verdict: Worth It?

This isn’t a magic bullet, but it does condense years of trial-and-error into actionable steps. For the price, it’s a solid 7/10—just don’t expect earth-shattering “secrets.”

Best For: Small nonprofits or first-time grant writers who want to avoid rookie mistakes.

Pro Tip: Use this alongside the Foundation Directory Online (most libraries offer free access) to find the best-fit grants.