Most of my nonprofit projects have been grant proposals for human-services agencies, but as a Shakespeare fan, I enjoyed the opportunity to write press releases and public-service announcements for Silicon Valley Shakespeare (formerly Shady Shakespeare Theatre Company) for several years. Free Shakespeare in the Park Will Have You Seeing Double Double Get ready for quadruple …
Seven safety-net agencies spanning the length of Santa Clara County, California, came together to apply for a $3.3 million grant from Destination: Home, which was seeking innovative solutions to prevent families from losing their housing. The seven agencies—known collectively as the Emergency Assistance Network—had worked together informally for a couple of years, but they had …
Community Services Agency operates several safety-net programs in Mountain View and Los Altos, California. Their Senior Case Management program brings together a range of services to help older residents keep living in their own homes and avoid institutionalization. For several years now, I have been the primary grantwriter for CSA’s applications for funding from Santa …
I was a broadcast engineer at one point in my life, so I’ve long been familiar with the public-service announcements that nonprofit groups send to radio stations. It was fun to write PSAs for Silicon Valley Shakespeare, especially when the subject was a comedy. 20″ You’ll be seeing double double when Silicon Valley Shakespeare presents …
This proposal for The Health Trust in San Jose, California, was sent to a family foundation that didn’t have a specific application format, so I wrote a three-page piece that described the organization, its Meals on Wheels program, the need for funding, and the expected results of the desired funding. The Health Trust applauds the …
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation is one of the largest family foundations in the United States, with investments all over the world. I wrote a brochure primarily for potential investment managers, but without specifically mentioning them so that Packard Foundation personnel could give it to other audiences as well. What We Fund The David …
The Yosemite Conservancy works with the National Park Service to carry out projects that can’t be funded solely from the NPS budget. By soliciting funding from donors, the Conservancy helps the park with vital environmental, historical, scientific, and visitor education efforts. Back when the group was known as the Yosemite Fund, I wrote a booklet …
Breast Cancer Connections was a place for women to get the support they needed after a breast-cancer diagnosis. (The organization subsequently expanded to address ovarian cancer and is now called Bay Area Cancer Connections.) As I wrote the copy for this website, I wanted to emphasize the warmth and strength of the staff and volunteers. …
Based in Berkeley, California, Pacific Horticulture Society has members all along the West Coast. I’ve worked on many different projects for them, including this membership renewal letter. It’s time to renew your membership Thank you for being a member of Pacific Horticulture Society this past year! You’re an important part of our team. Without you, …
Oftentimes, a potential funder wants an applicant to start with a brief letter of inquiry (LOI). If that piece fits the funder’s priorities, they’ll then ask the nonprofit to submit a full grant proposal. The excerpt below is from an LOI that I wrote for The Health Trust’s AIDS Services program. The Health Trust is …
