Writing Grants, Building Care: A Community-Centered Approach

Abstract

Proposals make arguments about what matters, emphasize community representation, and consider futures worth investing in. “How-to” guides don’t normally emphasize these things well. When it comes to grant writing, reading between the lines to make strategic choices is critical. The writing requires more than learning how to assemble a proposal; it involves how we look at projects rhetorically. Readers will not find step-by-step instructions in this book, or sample language designed to be used in the grant writing process. Instead, the purpose of this book is to offer rhetorical frameworks to help nonprofit practitioners, instructors, and students build care and navigate real funding conditions. And to do so ethically. The book is written for teachers and instructors; nonprofit practitioners; and students in writing studies, technical communication, and nonprofit management. The chapters here are designed for flexible use in workshops, professional settings, and classrooms that allow readers to move through these ideas. And we present it knowing that more details or templates and tools that keep up with emerging technological affordances may be needed; check out the companion website, perhaps frequently. There are three parts in the book, and while most people read from start to finish, users may study them in sections or in whatever order makes sense for their needs.