Grantwritingonline Course

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Tags: Grant Writing

Build your resume or freelance, learn grant writing skills and discover creative ways to fund your project or program.

Last updated 2022-01-10 | 4.2

- Learn basic principles of effective grant writing.
- Discover how to use databases and conduct Internet research.
- Learn a simple eight step process for writing an effective grant.

What you'll learn

Learn basic principles of effective grant writing.
Discover how to use databases and conduct Internet research.
Learn a simple eight step process for writing an effective grant.

* Requirements

* No prerequisites
* all materials are provided.

Description

"Used the sample grant as a guide to write a grant proposal. Just found out last week that we won the the grant to the tune of $1.9 million dollars. I am so happy and excited. The sample grant proposals are awesome! I highly recommend this course!" - Sheila Savage

Course Summary

Learning how to write a grant is a great way to build your resume and learn valuable skills. Hiring a grant writer can cost anywhere between $35 to $150 an hour. Regardless if you work for an organization that needs funding or if you are looking to freelance, don't hire someone else when in just over two hours you can learn how to write an effective grant on your own.

The course is self-paced and can be taken from the comfort of your home, office, or on the go. The course consists of a series of short lectures and a quiz, focused on three main learning objectives;

  • Grant Writing Basics

  • How to Write a Grant Proposal

  • Searching for Funding

            The course includes grant writing myths, how to focus on the funder, a simple eight step process for developing your proposal, where to look for funding, how to conduct research and how to keep informed about grant opportunities offered by both foundations and government programs. Certificate of completion available. 

Who this course is for:

  • For anyone looking to write a grant, whether for an organization or freelance.

Course content

5 sections • 23 lectures

Welcome! 2 lectures

Welcome! Preview 02:19

In this lecture I briefly welcome you to the course, explain why it is a great time to be a grant writer and end the lecture by asking you a question. Make sure to download the course Handout.

Getting the Most out of the Course Preview 01:16

In this lecture I explain how to get the most out of the course as you navigate the Udemy platform. More than video lectures, I encourage you to check for downloadable material, engage in discussions and by all means send me a message.

Grant Writing Basics 3 lectures

The System Preview 05:00

Discusses the grant writing system along with differences between grants provided by governments and non-governmental organizations (NGO's) as well as two main strategies for pursuing each type of organization.

Basic Principles Preview 11:37

Provides several basic concepts that can be applied regardless if you are writing a proposal for a foundation, corporation or government grant. Concepts include;

  • Aligning your needs with the funder.
  • Forming partnerships.
  • Follow instructions.
  • Be concise.
  • Avoid jargon and define technical terms.
  • Balance facts with stories, the head and the heart.
  • Stay positive.
  • Avoid procrastination.
  • Embrace change.

Grant Writing Myths Preview 05:33

This lecture discusses several common myths about writing grants, including;

  • Grant writing fees being paid from the grant.

  • Money available for personal use.

  • Only major institutions receive funding.

  • A single well-crafted proposal can effectively be sent to hundreds of funders.

  • Grants only go to those with the greatest need.

  • A grant not funded is the fault of the grant writer.

How to Write a Grant Proposal 10 lectures

Overview - The Grant Writing Process Preview 05:43

Provides an introduction and brief five minute overview of the eight steps of the grant writing process, including;

  • Summary
  • Introduction to Applicant Organization.
  • The Problem Statement.
  • Methods.
  • Program Outcomes.
  • Evaluation Plan.
  • Future Support.
  • Budget.

Common Terms and Acronyms Preview 02:54

A list of common terms and acronyms used in the grant writing community. Take a quick a look to familiarize yourself with these terms before going through the course.

Introduction to Applicant Organization Preview 03:38

How to introduce your organization to a potential funder when writing a grant, including;

  • Focusing on the funder.
  • Making a connection.
  • Establishing credibility.

The Problem Statement Preview 07:51

Breaks down the problem statement into three major components; 
  • Description of the problem.
  • Impacts.
  • Root causes.

Methods Preview 08:39

Discusses various aspects of writing a strong methods section when applying for a grant, including;

  • Methods driving outcomes.
  • Using a specific step-by-step plan.
  • How to include a margin of error.

Program Outcomes Preview 10:08

Learn about defining your program outcomes using the acronym SMART;


  • Specific

  • Measurable

  • Actionable

  • Relevant

  • Time Bound


Evaluation Plan Preview 04:35

Discusses what you need in an evaluation plan including;

  • A process evaluation
  • Developing benchmarks
  • An outcomes evaluation

Future Support Preview 03:19

Future support discusses what funders expect when it comes to sustaining your program after the funding they have provided runs out. Topics include;

  • How to give the funder confidence in your program
  • "Fund Hopping"

Budget Preview 14:07

This lecture discusses how to use the budget not only to demonstrate costs, but to help develop your story beyond the numbers. The lecture includes;
  • How to create a line item budget.
  • How to write a budget narrative.
  • How to estimate an indirect cost rate.

Writing the Summary Preview 03:37

The summary is the last section you will write. The lecture discusses;

  • Tips for writing the summary.
  • Finalizing your proposal.

Searching for Funds 4 lectures

Private Funders Preview 10:57

Discusses how to conduct research on foundations including;
  • Using a research database.
  • How to review a 990-PF.

Government Funds Preview 09:15

This lecture covers using the Internet to find funding including;

  • The federal government search engine, grants.gov.
  • A local agency website.

Social Media Preview 04:24

Learn about funding organizations using social media to get their message out including;
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Using Alerts Preview 07:11

This lecture discusses how to set up alerts on grants.gov and how to set up both alerts and conduct research using Google alerts.

Course Wrap Up 4 lectures

Getting Started - Letters of Intent Preview 2 pages

Now that you are done with the course, how do you get started writing your first grant? This lecture discusses how to write a letter of intent.

Learning From Rejection Preview 1 page

Being rejected is a normal part of being a grant writer. This lecture provides five tips for learning from rejection.

Congratulations! Preview 1 page

Course Review

Twenty multiple choice questions.