Fundraising & Grants

The resources in this section provide information on fundraising and grant writing to assist patrons in locating information on how to fundraise, locate grants, and write grant proposals.

The federal government does not offer grants or "free money" to individuals to start a business or cover personal expenses. Websites or other publications claiming to offer "free money from the government" are scams and should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission.

The U.S. government does offer federal benefit programs designed to help individuals and families in need become self-efficient or lower their expenses. Information on state government benefits is available on the State Governments page of USA.gov.

The following titles on fundraising link to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Links to additional online content are included when available.

The Complete Guide to Fundraising Management by Stanley Weinstein; Pamela Barden
Call Number: HV41.9.U5 W46 2017
ISBN: 9781119289326
Published/Created: 2017-03-20
This comprehensive handbook focuses on fundraising that applies across the nonprofit sector with a focus on planning, self-assessment, continual improvement, and high-payoff strategies. Includes information on social media campaigning, internet fundraising, and crowdfunding, with timelines, checklists, and forms to assist in streamlining management tasks to focus on effective development, as well as sample reports and budget information.
Doing Good with Other People's Money by Richard Steiner
Call Number: HG177 .S74 2018
Published/Created: 2018-02-27
This book provides insight into why some proposals succeed and others fail, the difference between grants and contracts, questionnaire templates, information on establishing relationships, a grant-writing tool kit, and information on compliance.
Effective Fundraising for Nonprofits by Ilona Bray
Call Number: HG177.5.U6 B73 2019
ISBN: 9781413326635
Published/Created: 2019-08-27
Featuring advice and stories from over 50 experienced fundraisers, foundation staffers, journalists and more, this book explains how to: make a fundraising plan, work with individual donors, plan special events, solicit grants from foundations and corporations, get media coverage, and use the internet to further fundraising goal.
The Field Guide to Fundraising for Nonprofits: Fusing Creativity and Best Practices by Sarah B. Lange
Call Number: HG177 .L356 2018
ISBN: 9781440854590
Published/Created: 2017-12-01
This book focuses on fundraising strategies that generate the highest return on investment. It focuses on long-term financial planning, annual campaign development, grant writing, developing your best board, donor engagement, and communication. Includes a sample communication plan and calendar.
Functional and Funded: Securing Your Nonprofit's Assets From The Inside Out by Harvey B. Chess
ISBN: 9780996314749
Published/Created: 2019-07-15
This book provides information on grant writing and how to strengthen your nonprofit organization. It includes three proposal variations, information on the funding marketplace, and a tool kit.
A Fundraising Guide for Nonprofit Board Members by Julia I. Walker
Call Number: HG177 .W344 2012
ISBN: 1118073568
Published/Created: 2012-02-07
A practical guide to written expressly for board members, this text covers the board's leadership role in fundraising; how to organize and train your board to raise funds; building a team with board and staff; raising funds for operations, major gifts and capital campaigns; how to ask for gifts; plus a guide for conducting a board retreat that will lead to fundraising success. Demystifies the “ask” by providing a straightforward guide on how to ask for, and close, gifts. Features case studies, real life examples, and checklists in an easy to reference format. Offers sample materials for a board retreat on building the successful fundraising team.
Nonprofit Fundraising 101 by Darian Rodriguez Heyman
Call Number: HD2769.15 .H49 2016
ISBN: 9781119100461
Published/Created: 2016-01-19
This text is for nonprofit professionals, volunteers, activists, and social entrepreneurs who want to leverage best practices to promote their cause. This book provides practical, comprehensive guidance for nonprofit fundraising around the globe.
Raise More Money by Kim Klein (Editor); Stephanie Roth (Editor)
Call Number: HV41.2 .R35 2001 CABIN BRANCH
ISBN: 1890759104
Published/Created: 2001-09-01
A collection of the best articles from past 20 years of the Grassroots Fundraising Journal offering nonprofit organizations a wealth of tips, strategies, and guidance on how to raise money. This text focuses on fundraising and organizational development tools for community-based and social change organizations.

Consider looking at external websites, subscription databases, professional associations and journals for contemporary grant announcements, since most of these are available in an online format.

The following titles link to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Links to additional online content are included when available.

Annual Register of Grant Support by R.R. Bowker
Call Number: AS911.A2 A67
Published/Created: 1969-
"This exhaustive guide to approximately 3,000 grant-giving organizations offering nonrepayable support and shows you how to tap the immense funding potential of these sources. Organized by 11 major subject areas and 61 specific subcategories. It is the definitive resource for researching and uncovering a full range of available grant sources. Not only does it direct you to traditional corporate, private, and public funding programs, it also shows you the way to little known, nontraditional grant sources such as educational associations and unions. Provides information for each grant program such as: eligibility requirements and restrictions, application procedures and deadlines, grant size or range, contact information, etc."—Publisher's description.
The Grants Register 2021 by Palgrave Palgrave Macmillan (Editor)
Call Number: LB 2338 G764
ISBN: 9781349959877
Published/Created: 2020-09-04
The Grants Register 2021 is the most authoritative and comprehensive guide available of postgraduate and professional funding worldwide. It contains international coverage of grants in almost 60 countries, both English and non-English speaking; information on subject areas, level of study, eligibility and value of awards; and information on over 6,000 awards provided by over 1,300 awarding bodies. Awarding bodies are arranged alphabetically with a full list of awards to allow for comprehensive reading. The Register contains full contact details including telephone, fax, email and websites as well as details of application procedures and closing dates. It is updated annually to ensure accurate information.

The resources in this section should assist potential grant applicants with writing a proposal that addresses specific requirements, including creating a compelling statement, proposing a realistic budget, and developing a sensible timeline.

When applying for grants, it may be advisable to hire a professional grant writer. The Grant Professionals Association External is an international membership association for those working in the grants industry. Grant writers can assist you in researching and locating grants for your organization.

The following titles link to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Links to additional online content are included when available.

The Complete Book of Grant Writing by Nancy Smith; E. Gabriel Works
Call Number: HG177 .S63 2012
ISBN: 9781402267291
Published/Created: 2012-07-01
This text demonstrates how to write a grant proposal if you're seeking funding through government grants, foundation grants, and specialty grants. Provides details on core elements of grants, including: the statement of need, the evaluation plan, budgets, and the grant timetable. Includes sample proposals, letters of inquiry, support letters, and concept papers.
Creating Winning Grant Proposals: a Step-by-Step Guide by Anne L. Rothstein
Call Number: LC243.A1 R67 2019
ISBN: 9781462539093
Published/Created: 2019
This book provides steps for writing competitive grant proposals. Includes examples from actual requests for proposals (RFPs) and proposals, tools for success, and writing tips.
Funded! by Richard Hoefer
Call Number: HG177 .H635 2017
ISBN: 9780190681876
Published/Created: 2017-06-30
This text provides information to students on how to find funding opportunities through submitting the completed proposal. The book covers every essential grant writing topic: finding funding, writing needs statements, finding or developing evidence-based programs, developing logic models, writing evaluation plans, describing implantation plans, budgeting, sustainability planning, and submission to the funder.
The Grant Writer's Handbook : How to Write a Research Proposal and Succeed by Gerard M. Crawley & Eoin O'Sullivan
Call Number: Q180.55.G7 C73 2016
ISBN: 9781783267590
Published/Created: 2016
This handbook provides advice on multiple aspects of grant proposal writing such as brainstorming ideas, drafting proposals, and budgeting.
The Grant Writing and Crowdfunding Guide for Young Investigators in Science by Jean-Luc Lebrun and Justin Lebrun
Call Number: Q180.55.G7 L43 2017
ISBN: 9789813223233
Published/Created: 2017
Offers guidance on the challenges of funding research through grants. This book includes strategies for pre-proposal idea development, grant writing, and budgeting from both the perspective of the grantee and granting associations.
The How to Grants Manual by David G. Bauer
Call Number: HG177 .B38 2021
ISBN: 9781475853940
Published/Created: 2021-01-10
This book provides a proactive step-by-step process for obtaining public and private grants.
Models of Proposal Planning & Writing by Jeremy T. Miner & Kelly C. Ball-Stahl
Call Number: HG177.5.U6 M558 2016
ISBN: 9781440833892
Published/Created: 2016
This book focuses on providing tools for succeeding in the competitive grant seeking world. Includes information on private and public granting organizations as well as techniques for writing and persuasion.
Proposal Writing : Effective Grantsmanship for Funding by Soraya M. Coley, Cynthia A. Scheinberg & Yulia A. Levites Strekalova
Call Number: HV41 .C548 2022
ISBN: 9781544371535
Published/Created: 2022
"Offers a fresh, robust presentation of the basics of program design and proposal writing for community services funding [which] help readers develop the knowledge they need to understand community agencies, identify and describe community needs, identify funding sources, develop a viable program evaluation, prepare a simple line-item budget, and write a compelling need statement. The jargon-free, step-by-step presentation makes the book as useful to students in the university classroom as to first-time grant writers in the nonprofit setting. The new edition adds activities that can be done individually or in class to build students' skills and apply the chapter material."-- Provided by publisher.
The Ultimate Insider's Guide to Winning Foundation Grants by Martin Teitel
Call Number: HG177 .T45 2018
ISBN: 9781889102634
Published/Created: 2018-04-01
The author of this book was the CEO for a foundation for over forty years, during which time he read thousands of proposals and awarded millions of dollars in grants. Martin Teitel is uniquely qualified to offer expert guidance to aspiring grant seekers. This includes insights on those who open proposals, what they specifically look for, how they grade your submission, what red flags they screen for, how proposals are dissected at staff meetings and, finally, the relevant criteria the foundation's board uses to evaluate its merit.
Winning Grants Step by Step by Tori O'Neal-McElrath
Call Number: Electronic Resource. Onsite Access Only. Links available Available onsite via Stacks.
ISBN: 9781118662045
Published/Created: 2013-07-31
This practical resource provides step-by-step advice and clear examples on how to develop good grant proposals.
Writing Successful Grant Proposals from the Top Down and Bottom Up by Robert J. Sternberg
Call Number: Q180.55.P7 W75 2014
ISBN: 9781412999281
Published/Created: 2014
This text recommends methods for successful grant writing from beginning to the end. This text includes pieces from grantees and grantors as well as advice from professional researchers with grant writing expertise.

Following are links to external websites with resources on grants.

Find Funding (U.S. Health Resources & Service Administration)
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary federal agency for improving health care to people who are geographically isolated, economically or medically vulnerable. This page provides information on locating, applying to grants, and managing grants.
Foundation Directory Online (Candid) External
FDO delivers quality funding prospects and information you need to reach your fundraising goals.
Government Grants and Loans (usa.gov)
Learn about federal government grants, who qualifies, and how to get them. The federal government does not offer grants or “free money” to individuals to start a business or cover personal expenses, contrary to what you might see online or in the media. Websites or other publications claiming to offer "free money from the government" are often scams. Report them to the Federal Trade Commission. The government does offer federal benefit programs designed to help individuals and families to become self-sufficient or to lower expenses.
Grant Professionals Association (GPA) External
A leading professional association for nonprofit individuals involved in grant development. Browse the Consultant Directory by organization/consultant name or search a dropdown list of categories, including nonprofit organizations. Free articles on grant making and related issues are available in the Resource Center.
Grants (U.S. Department of Education)
This site provides information on grants and scholarships available through the U.S. Department of Education.
Grants (U.S. Small Business Administration)
SBA provides limited small business grants and grants to states and eligible community organizations to promote entrepreneurship.
Grants.gov (Department of Health and Human Services)
This centralized federal government site includes a Grants Learning Center and grant writing proposal tips. This site allows you to work on your grants.gov application in a workspace that you can share with collaborators. You can search for grants available through out the federal government here.
GuideStar (Candid) External
This national database of nonprofit organizations offers a free service on the programs and finances of charities and nonprofits, news on philanthropy, and resources for donors and volunteers. Search by name, keyword, city or state, nonprofit type (public charity, private operating foundation, or private nonoperating foundation), or income range.
Nonprofits | Rural Development (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
The USDA has a number of programs that fund nonprofits seeking to improve rural housing conditions.
The Philanthropy 50 (The Chronicle of Philanthropy) External
By Maria Di Mento, February 8, 2022.
This resource provides interactive collection of photos of the top 50 donors which can be ranked by source of wealth, age and residence in 2001-current year. Note: The site requires free registration.
Proposal Central (Altum) External
This database enables researchers to tap into funding, get credit for their contributions, and realize the potential of their scientific efforts.
Prospect Research Institute External
Provides tools and tips, research blogs, etc. for creating prospect profiles and statistics for fundraising activities on behalf of a nonprofit. Requires registration.
U.S. Department of Transportation Grants
The U.S. Department of Transportation provides grants to help build and maintain a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system for the American people.

Following are links to online resources on grants created by the Library of Congress.

The Nonprofit Sector in the United States: A Resource Guide

Fundraising & Grants