CARA certificate program coursework is predicated on the assumption that students are currently supporting a Principal Investigator (PI) on a grant-funded project. While instructors provide workarounds for those of us who do not yet work in research, it would nevertheless be wise to amass a small library of handy tools to equip one with a knowledge base for that day when we shall assist project teams in garnering funding support for its initiatives.
One item to fit in our toolkit is a workbook intended for non-profit organizations, which has been expanded, in the 5th edition, to include public funding. Although its sources are based for the United States market, its principles for assessing and establishing a quality application to secure grants are in line with the CARA program's curriculum.
Winning Grants Step by Step: The Complete Workbook for Planning, Developing, and Writing Successful Proposals is an affordable, well-laid out book that is sure to complement course texts. Authors Tori O'Neal-McElrath, Lynn Kanter, and Lynn Jenkins English bear similarities to CARA program instructors, in that they have direct experience in the field (the authors specialize in non-profits), whether as consultants or instructors. Their relevant backgrounds are visible in sample test cases, template worksheets, and important tips throughout.
Chapter topics are arranged in "Steps", which include:
- Proposal ideas
- Letters of inquiry
- Problem statement
- Goals and objectives
- Timeline strategies
- Evaluation planning
- Sustainability
- Budget justification
- Organizational background
This book is sure to be one shortcut that can be easily referenced when building a successful, strategic grant application for your PI.
To promote Canadian businesses, this book is available on the Indigo website:
Winning Grants Step by Step: The Complete Workbook for Planning, Developing, and Writing Successful Proposals. By: Tori O'Neal-McElrath, Lynn Kanter, and Lynn Jenkins English
Paperback: July 30 2019