Joel J. Orosz earned his Ph.D. in American history from Case Western Reserve University. He is the senior program
director in the Philanthropy and Volunteerism programming area of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek,
Michigan.
Review
"Joel Orosz has given us a rare gift at a critical moment. His book is a wise guide not only for the new
program officer but also for the experienced grantmaker."
--Frances Hesselbein, chairman of the board of governors, The Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management
"A book on grantmaking with the name of Joel Orosz attached to it has instant credibility in the foundation
world. Joel is an enormously creative grantmaker, exemplified by his leadership of one of the largest and most
successful programs in the history of the Kellogg Foundation: the $63-million Michigan Community Foundations' Youth
Project, which energized more than six thousand young people around the arts of fundraising and grantmaking. Every
grantmaker can learn from his example."
--Dorothy S. Ridings, president and CEO, Council on Foundations
"Foundation program officers inhabit a mysterious world that grantseekers strain constantly to understand.
Joel Orosz has finally given us a glimpse into a world that may not be as strange and distant as we thought."
--Robert K. Goodwin, president and CEO, Points of Light Foundation
"It is amazing that a book like this had not been written until now, for it has certainly been much needed.
Grantmakers and grantseekers will now have a valuable resource--written by a seasoned, effective grantmaker--that
will make their work easier and may well contribute to the improvement of relations between them."
--Sara E. Melendez, president and CEO, INDEPENDENT SECTOR
Publisher Web Site, March, 2003
Summary
Unlike many formal professions, foundation grantmaking is a calling with no training programs and little definitive
literature on the latest and best practices. Written for program officers and of considerable value to grantseekers,
this volume is the first and only practical guide to making foundation grants and developing essential skills for
effective and ethical grantmaking.
Author Joel J. Orosz not only introduces readers to the history, structure, and function of foundations in society
but also explores the complex role that program officers play in their day-to-day activities. He provides real-world
advice on a myriad of tasks--from meeting with applicants and reviewing their proposals to assisting the funded
project and managing foundation initiatives. He also asks critical questions about this growing and evolving profession,
such as "What kind of person should become a grantmaker?" and "How does one avoid the seven temptations
of philanthropy?" Throughout the book, Orosz informs his lively, thoughtful discussions with his own considerable
experience in grantmaking.
The Insider's Guide to Grantmaking allows readers to observe the world of foundations closely. It provides a useful
overview for those new to the field, helps more experienced program officers to think more deeply about their work,
and shares rich insights for the thousands of nonprofit leaders who pursue foundation grants.
Table of Contents
Making Sense of the Grantmaking Universe
Grantmaking: The Human Factor
Building Relationships with Applicants
Reviewing Proposals
Declining Proposals
Responding to Proposals
Site Visits
Writing the Funding Document
Presenting the Funding Document
Managing the Project
Closing the Project
Leveraging Impact
Influencing Policy
Intiative-Based Grantmaking
The Ethics of Grantmaking
