You need funding for your nonprofit, startup, or community project. Maybe you’ve stared at grant applications, overwhelmed by the jargon, and wondered: “How do people actually get approved for these things?”

This book claims to break it all down—no fluff, just straight-to-the-point advice. But after reading my fair share of “simple” guides that were anything but, I was skeptical. So I put it to the test.

---

What’s Actually Inside?

The book is split into three main sections:

1. The Basics (Where Most Beginners Get Stuck)
   • Explains grant types (government, corporate, foundation) in plain English
   • Covers the “why rejections happen” (spoiler: it’s usually avoidable mistakes)
   • Walks through a real grant application step-by-step
2. The Proposal Writing Section (The Meat of the Book)
   • How to write a need statement that doesn’t sound generic
   • Budget breakdowns that actually make sense to reviewers
   • The “follow-up email” trick that increases your chances of approval
3. Where It Falls Short
   • Light on where to find grants (just a basic list of databases)
   • No real case studies—just hypothetical examples
   • Some sections feel rushed (like the sustainability plan part)

---

The Good Stuff (What Actually Helps)

✅ The “Killer Opening Line” Formula

• Most grant reviewers skim. This book shows how to hook them in the first sentence.

✅ The Budget Template

• Turns the scariest part of grant writing into a fill-in-the-blank exercise.

✅ It’s Short (Under 200 Pages)

• No 50-page detour into “the history of philanthropy.”

---

The Not-So-Great Parts

🚫 Too Basic for Experienced Writers

• If you’ve won grants before, you’ll skim half of it.

🚫 Missing the “Secret Sauce”

• Doesn’t explain how to stand out when 100+ orgs apply for the same grant.

🚫 Dated References

• A few links/resources are outdated (it was published in 2013).

---

Who’s This Really For?

✔ Perfect if:

• You’re a total beginner (think: “What’s an RFP?”)
• You need a quick, no-nonsense reference guide
• You’re applying for small local grants (not $1M+ federal grants)

✖ Skip if:

• You’re a seasoned grant writer looking for advanced tactics
• You want cutting-edge strategies (this is traditional grant writing)
• You prefer interactive tools (it’s text-only)

---

Final Verdict

For under $10? It’s a solid “Grant Writing 101” guide—just don’t expect magic.

Rating: 6.5/10 – Good for basics, but you’ll need to supplement with newer resources.

---

Pro Tip: Pair this with a current grant database (like Grants.gov or Instrumentl) for best results.