Weekly sessions starting Friday, March 14th (Noon to 1:30pm), will be live via Zoom and recorded.
(It’s not too late to sign up! You can sign up any time and get all of the recordings)
If you already know you want to join us register here! https://square.link/u/MkGaOoXm
The need for skilled grant writers has never been greater. As competition for funding intensifies, nonprofits rely on experts who can create persuasive proposals to secure essential resources. A great grant writer possesses a mix of research, storytelling, and technical writing skills, along with a strategic mindset. Gaining top-tier training is crucial for making a lasting impact.
Who should join us? This course is valuable for a range of individuals and professionals looking to develop or refine their grant-writing skills including nonprofit and government staff responsible for securing funding; aspiring/freelance grant writers looking to start or advance a career in grant writing; small business owners/entrepreneurs wanting to seek funding through grants; leaders of grassroots organizations or community initiatives seeking funding; and university faculty or students seeking research grants.
Register now to gain the skills to become a successful grant writer, attract clients, and build a thriving business in this high-demand field!
Weekly sessions starting Friday, March 14th (Noon to 1:30pm), will be live via Zoom and recorded. Register here: https://square.link/u/MkGaOoXm
What we’ll learn:
Grant Writing Training Curriculum / 10 Zoom Sessions 90 Minutes Each (recorded)
Session 1: Introduction to Grant Writing & Funding Landscape
Understanding grants: types and sources (government, foundation, corporate)
Key terminology and the grant writing process
Researching grant opportunities
In this session, we will cover the various types of grants available, how to find them, and fundamentals of the process/how things needed are talked about so you’ll feel comfortable with the basics. We’ll also talk about all manner of ways to find funding opportunities (there are so many!).
Assignment: Find and analyze a grant opportunity relevant to the work of an organization whose mission speaks to your heart.
Session 2: Understanding the Funder’s Perspective
What funders look for in applications
Common reasons for rejection
Reviewing successful grant proposals
In this session, you will learn how to view grant applications from a funder’s perspective, understand key factors that influence funding decisions, identify common reasons for rejection, and analyze successful grant proposals to strengthen your own submissions.
Assignment: Draft a summary of your project using a funder’s criteria.
Session 3: Crafting a Compelling Narrative
Defining your problem statement and needs assessment
Writing clear goals, objectives, and outcomes
Storytelling techniques for grant proposals
In this session, you will learn how to craft a compelling grant narrative by defining a strong problem statement and needs assessment, demonstrating clear goals and outcomes, and using storytelling techniques to engage funders.
Assignment: Write a compelling problem statement and needs assessment for your project.
Session 4: Building a Strong Project Design
Developing a clear logic model & SMART Goals
Outlining key activities, timelines, and deliverables
Creating evaluation plans to measure impact
In this session, you will learn how to design a strong, fundable project by developing a clear logic model (don’t worry if you don’t know what that is!), setting SMART goals (these too!), outlining key activities and timelines, and creating an evaluation plan to measure impact.
Assignment: Draft a basic logic model & SMART Goals for your project.
Session 5: Budgeting & Financial Justification
Understanding budget categories and allowable costs
Writing a budget narrative that aligns with your proposal
Common budgeting mistakes and how to avoid them
In this session, you will learn how to develop a clear and fundable budget by understanding budget categories and allowable costs, writing a budget narrative that aligns with your proposal, and avoiding common budgeting mistakes.
Assignment: Create a simple budget and financial narrative for your project.
Session 6: Writing and Editing the Full Proposal
Integrating all elements into a strong proposal
Ensuring clarity, conciseness, and alignment with funder guidelines
Peer review and self-editing strategies
Post-award responsibilities: reporting, compliance, and relationship-building
In this session, you will learn how to integrate all components into a strong, cohesive grant proposal, ensure clarity and alignment with funder guidelines, and apply review and editing strategies to refine your final submission.
Assignment: Finalize and prepare a proposal for submission.
Session 7: Grant Submission & Management
Navigating online application portals / Following submission requirements and deadlines
Post-award responsibilities: reporting, compliance, and relationship-building / Calendaring your year of grants
Assignment: Create a tracking system for portal logins, deadlines/submission dates, and planning for a full year.
Session 8: Mock Review Panel & Q&A
Review and critique a few proposals (sharing yours is optional)
Group discussion on lessons learned and next steps
Q&A and resource-sharing for ongoing support
Session 9: Becoming a professional Grant Writer
Services provided by a Grant Writer
Skills and Knowledge that help you succeed
Networking with others
Resources for continued learning
Assignment: Create a monthly calendar for grant submissions/tracking & reportingSession 10: Starting Your Own Grant Writing Business
Starting your own consultancy – business structures & tax considerations
How to get your first client
Client Contracts
Tracking & billing your time
Assignment: Assess entity types for your own situation (ie LLC taxed as an S corporation)
Assignment: Draft a client contract
Assignment: Create a time/billing tracking system
Additional Assistance:
- Office Hours: Two optional group 30-minute Q&A sessions between classes for extra support.
- Templates & Resources: Access to sample grant proposals, SMART Goals/Logic Models, & budget templates.