Writing for a Good Cause - by Joseph Barbato & Danielle Furlich (Paperback)

About the Book

Filled with tips from writers at nonprofit agencies, this guide provides everything volunteers, staff writers, freelancers, and others need to fashion persuasive proposals and presentations for individual, foundation, and corporate donors.

Book Synopsis

Filled with tips and survival skills from writers and fund-raising officers at nonprofits of all sizes, Writing for a Good Cause is the first book to explain how to use words well to win your cause the money it needs. Whether you work for a storefront social action agency or a leading university, the authors' knowledgeable, practical advice will help you:

Write the perfect proposal--from the initial research and interviews to the final product

Draft, revise, and polish a "beguiling, exciting, can't-put-it-down and surely can't-turn-it-down" request for funds

Create case statements and other big money materials--also write, design, and print newsletters, and use the World Wide Web effectively

Survive last-minute proposals and other crises--with the Down-and-Dirty Proposal Kit!

Writing for a Good Cause provides everything fund raisers, volunteers, staff writers, freelancers, and program directors need to know to win funds from individual, foundation, and corporate donors.

Review Quotes

Allan Luks Executive Director, Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of New York City How do you convince an individual or organization not only to feel comfortable or good donating to your cause -- but eager to do it? Writing for a Good Cause shows you the essential communication and human steps that lead to this goal.

Andy Robinson author of Grassroots Grants: An Activist's Guide to Proposal Writing Practical, hands-on advice leavened with humor and attitude. The final section -- how to get your proposal out the door in a hurry -- will be warmly welcomed by all the procrastinators among us. Take heart, help is on the way.

Betty J. Marmon Director of Development, Philadelphia Museum of Art Barbato and Furlich are superb -- a dynamic development duo! They have finally managed to demystify the purpose and process of development writing. Newcomers and seasoned professionals alike can benefit from their candor and the behind-the-scenes insights found in Writing for a Good Cause.

Eric Graham President and CEO, Children's Express Worldwide This book is packed with gems about what's at the heart of fundraising -- sincerity, humor, perseverance. It should be required reading for anyone entering this field.

Peggy Dean Glenn Associate Dean for External Affairs, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University A rare find -- filled with winning strategies, practical ideas and clear examples. I am recommending it to my entire staff.

Richard Moe, President National Trust for Historic Preservation Certain to become the definitive word, and an essential tool, for those who seek to write persuasive proposals.

Sheila Dennis Director of Development, Union of Concerned Scientists Told from the trenches in a very entertaining style, Writing for a Good Cause is a terrific resource for fundraising veterans and newcomers. I laughed out loud reading it! For those of us who spend every day working to make the world a better place, this guide will help make your proposals stand out.

John Sawhill President and CEO, The Nature Conservancy The best guide I've ever read for developing effective and persuasive fund-raising materials.

About the Author

Joseph Barbato is president of Barbato Associates, which provides writing and design services to the fund-raising programs of nonprofits. He has worked with dozens of nonprofits, including New York University, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, and The United Nations Foundation.