Right Before You Write : The Groundbreaking Planning Process Used to Win More Than $385 Million in Competitive Grant Awards

Author Jonathan O'Brien contends that the majority of grant proposals are lost before the actual writing begins. While most grant writing books launch right into the details of filling in the blanks, wording specific responses to specific questions, finding grant money and creating budgets, O'Brien first takes the reader through the process of "retooling your gray matter;" that is, reverse engineering the way one thinks about a grant proposal before the writing begins. What makes this book unique is how O'Brien mixes his 30+ years of creative experiences with his madcap teaching style to demonstrate how FUNdamental storytelling principles used by Hollywood’s top screenwriters help better applicants' writing by bettering their thinking—and better their ability to win grants for worthy causes. Because of his innovative approach, one of O'Brien's educational program designs is permanently enshrined in the Smithsonian Institution.

O'Brien made his transition from screenwriting into the nonprofit sector when he was seduced by the good side. In addition to his work in the nonprofit arena, which involves writing grants, consulting with nonprofits and conducting workshops across the country, O'Brien is also an ever-popular screenwriting instructor at Santa Barbara City College in California. Claiming a case of "EDD" (Employment Deficit Disorder) his other experience includes being a UCLA film school graduate, a former CBS network program executive, an award-winning filmmaker, creator and former co-host of NPR's "Beyond Words" and a former juvenile hall writing instructor. With his wife he founded Sandy Point Ink, an independent publishing company with a goal of publishing 10 good books for good people who do good things."