Fall 2007

RHE 328 • Writing for Non-Profits-W

Course Description

Do you feel passionately about a causes such as protecting the environment, ending world hunger, or ensuring civil rights for all people living in Texas? Can you see yourself working for an organization whose main purpose is to raise awareness about that issue and make a difference in people's lives? If so, Writing for Nonprofits is for you.
Nonprofits do a lot of good in their communities, but their survival depends on how well they do two things: 1) promote their mission and 2) create opportunities for people to support it. In this class, you'll learn about the crucial role writing plays in achieving these goals. Each of you will write a feature article and work with a group to research and write a grant directed at a particular foundation. You will also design a term project of your own that meets the needs of one of our nonprofit partner organizations or a nonprofit you already work for. This self-designed project might include newsletter copy, radio-and-tv spots, news releases, a letter of intent, a letter of solicitation, web copy, or other materials that will aid an existing nonprofit in carrying out its mission.

Grading Policy

Discussion Board/Short Assignments: 10%
Feature article: 20%
Foundation analysis: 10%
Grant Proposal: 30%
Term Project: 30%

Texts

Public Relations Writing by Thomas Bivens (McGraw Hill, 2005)
SF Writer by John Ruszkiewicz, et. al. (Pearson-Prentice Hall, 2006)
Grant Seeking in an Electronic Age by Victoria Mikelonis, et. al. (Allyn & Bacon-Pearson, 2004)

back