This slim, straightforward volume, with its large type and uncluttered language, makes it easy to grasp how a grant proposal goes from concept to success. The author, a foundation director for almost thirty years, takes readers behind the scenes of the funding process — and does so with humor, generosity, and respect. And along the way, he reminds us that "real change in the world comes not from grandiose granting guidelines, but from the perseverance and imagination of those trying to penetrate the granting process in order to do good for others."

Arranged in eight short chapters, the book's central message is that success in getting grants is linked to the ability "to constructively connect with someone already inclined to help." Author Teitel begins by explaining how to write a succinct letter of inquiry, or LOI ("foundations rival the military in their love of acronyms"), a sort of miniature grant proposal. He stresses the importance of following all LOI guidelines — or, for that matter, any other foundation-produced guidelines — before submitting materials to a foundation reviewer. And, based on his experience as self-described Curmudgeon-in-Chief, he cautions that in a batch of twenty LOIs only two or three may be set aside for follow-up. Teitel goes on to advise that when it comes to submitting actual proposals, grantseekers should go beyond the "problem statement" to a "solution statement," and should use statistics sparingly. Moreover, because boards of directors responsible for funding decisions tend to be risk- and scandal-averse, grantseekers should explain clearly why and for what funds are being sought.

In the chapter "Writing a Wonderful Proposal," Teitel reveals that although he once funded a group that submitted its request on a postcard, a funding request typically contains the following components: a summary, a vision (formerly "problem") statement, strategies and tactics, resources (money and beyond), and fundamentals (end matter). Once grantseekers have submitted their proposals, they still have work to do: there are potential in-person meetings with funders (Teitel suggests bringing any relevant material that can help you answer questions about your program), and of course there's lots of waiting — for foundations to shape their dockets, for proposals to be plowed through, for boards to meet, for decisions to be made. If a grant is awarded, Teitel recommends not behaving "like the funder's kids — you cash the check and aren't heard from again." Instead, let the foundation know how the grant turned out. It is critical, he says, to "maintain that feeling of connectedness and create the impression that you're all in this together."

The book concludes with the Grantseeker's Reality Check, which lists six things you can do to help your proposal make the first cut, and six ways to help assure repeat funding — with lists of red flags, common mistakes, and questions to ask in between.

Although beginning grantseekers will get the most out of Thank You for Submitting Your Proposal, even experienced development professionals will find value in being advised directly — and entertainingly — by someone who has spent the better part of his career as an "insider." After all, with $30 billion in private foundation money at stake and tens of thousands of nonprofits competing for foundations' attention, the difference between success and failure is too slight to leave to chance.