Reviews
A review of Proven Strategies on CharityChannel's / We Review /
"A refreshing new entry in the growing field of books on grantseeking!
Proven Strategies is solidly grounded in Michael's years of experience as a successful
grants professional. There's no fluff here, just sound, realistic, honest advice and
how- tos for beginners and veterans alike who are willing to work to succeed in this
competitive and challenging field. Michael's writing is lively and energetic, and
loaded with stories and examples that bring his teaching points to life. I especially
appreciate the focus on program design and management, rather than merely 'writing a
proposal.' The chapter on logic models may well be a first for a book in this field
and is, all by itself, worth investment for serious grantseekers."
Maryn Boess
President/Founder
GrantsUSA LLC
"As a grantwriter for many years, I find Wells' Grantwriting Beyond the Basics amazingly helpful. It updates the experienced - perhaps occasional - grantwriter to the new technologies of research, offering excellent counsel supported by real-life examples of how to do a comprehensive and effective job of evaluation. It provides practical steps for achieving that sometimes elusive element of accountability. Perhaps what I like best about Michael Wells' book is that it is easy to read, as practical and straightforward as you could ask, and replete with examples that can help grantwriters approach a variety of different funding sources.
Thanks for writing a terrific and much needed book!"
Suzanne C. Feeney
Faculty and Director
The Institute for Nonprofit Management
Hatfield School of Government
Portland State University
"The grantwriting profession has seen much growth over the years, and many books have been written for the grant professional, but never with such a down-to-earth portrayal of a sometimes complicated process. Michael Wells tells us right up front that there is not a "one size fits all" method for grant development, and offers excellent examples of how to think through the issues, like digging down for the REAL need, not the "want" in grant development.
Michael has written a thorough handbook for the active grant professional by providing and explaining the use of organizational tools such as the logic model. His method is straightforward and sets in motion a strategic approach to grant development and management, allowing all of us some insights that will better prepare us for the application as well as the management of proposals.
When I finished reading the book, I didn't know whether to write a grant proposal, prepare a grant workshop, or review a proposal - but I did know that I was inspired.
Write on..."
Phyllis Renninger, President
The American Association of Grant Professionals
"Strategic Grantwriting by Michael Wells is an outstanding resource for grant professionals. A better title for this book would have been, "The Grant Professional's Bible." This is the first book I've seen or read that encompasses the entire grants process in total harmony with the latest techniques successfully employed by those in the forefront of securing extramural funding. Interesting and poignant, Michael's approach of blending the personal and the technical through the use of Logic Models is the grant professional's equivalent of Einstein's Theory of Relativity . . . a total breakthrough that puts research and grant development in a new and refreshing realm. Though written from the grants perspective, this is a book on designing and refining strategy that can be used to secure funds from virtually any source.
As the national editor-in-chief of CharityChannel's Grants and Foundation
Review, I firmly endorse Proven Strategies as a must in any grant professional's
library."
Lawrence G. Gallery
Editor-in-Chief
Grants and Foundation Review
CharityChannel
"In today's competitive world of grant-seeking, most applicants to
foundations continue to lack the most rudimentary skills in preparing a compelling
request to philanthropic institutions. Proven Strategies shows them how, using
a basic, yet comprehensive step-by-step approach, to successfully present a
strategic case for grant support. It is a well-written, simple to follow, and
informative book on the topic of grantwriting, and will prepare even the most
inexperienced person to write a competitive grant."
Victor Merced
Program Officer
Meyer Memorial Trust
