Certificate in Grantwriting

Certificate in Grantwriting is a comprehensive online, on-demand course in grantwriting and grants management for nonprofit professionals, individuals seeking a career in the nonprofit field, board members, and volunteers. This course will teach you everything you need to know to successfully help nonprofits make a positive change in our community or get funding for a project you are passionate about. The course is inspiring for beginners as well as experienced grantwriters and is an excellent certification to add to your resume for those seeking career change or development.

You will have my individualized, guided assistance in completing a grant proposal for the nonprofit of your choice. The instruction includes video, narrative, quizzes, assessments, writing assignments, worksheets, and instructor check-ins. The course will also teach you where to find grants, how to write grant reports, ethics, and how to build relationships with grantmakers so that you have all the information you need to get funding for something you care deeply about.

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Course Reviews

Jennifer Martin

5 star rating

“This is a great class. Allison is extremely knowledgeable and relishes in helping her students understand the material. She's always available for questions and further explanations. The homework assignments are relevant and rigorous, and her feed...”

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“This is a great class. Allison is extremely knowledgeable and relishes in helping her students understand the material. She's always available for questions and further explanations. The homework assignments are relevant and rigorous, and her feedback is really helpful. I highly recommend this class to anyone who is interested in grantwriting--or even to people who are just interested in learning more about how nonprofits work.”

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John Chabala

5 star rating

“I am a twenty-two year old college student who found myself with nothing to do this summer due to Covid. I took this certificate on a whim, hoping to kill some time and invest in myself a little bit. Boy was it worth it! I've looked at grant writi...”

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“I am a twenty-two year old college student who found myself with nothing to do this summer due to Covid. I took this certificate on a whim, hoping to kill some time and invest in myself a little bit. Boy was it worth it! I've looked at grant writing before and it felt daunting. Now I feel ready to climb that mountain. This course won't make you an expert grantwriter, the only way to do that is by grantwriting. It will, however, provide you a platform and tool kit necessary for any grant. And most importantly, for the newbies out there, by the time you're done you'll have written a grant! Meaning your biggest hurtle to grantwiritng, the actual writing of it, will be officially over. I highly recommend this course”

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Nicolina Miller

5 star rating

“This was a great course. Very informative and clearly outlined for ease of comprehension and simple action steps for putting into action what we learned. A great resource for the grant writing professional.”

“This was a great course. Very informative and clearly outlined for ease of comprehension and simple action steps for putting into action what we learned. A great resource for the grant writing professional.”

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April Hichens

5 star rating

“Allison is incredibly knowledgeable and has the unique ability to impart her expertise that is digestible, well-organized, and thoughtful. She's created a number of tools to use while organizing the crazy amount of information and ideas one genera...”

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“Allison is incredibly knowledgeable and has the unique ability to impart her expertise that is digestible, well-organized, and thoughtful. She's created a number of tools to use while organizing the crazy amount of information and ideas one generates while putting a proposal together. She cleared the murky waters in this writing process and armed us with the tools to tackle the work on our own. Allison is a font of wisdom. I'm looking forward to taking more classes from her! ”

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Anne Schneider

5 star rating

“This class provided me with a practical, step-by-step framework for learning what is needed in each section of a grant proposal - and Allison, the instructor, helped every step of the way. Thank you, Allison! ”

“This class provided me with a practical, step-by-step framework for learning what is needed in each section of a grant proposal - and Allison, the instructor, helped every step of the way. Thank you, Allison! ”

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Learn What Others Loved About this Course

“Spark the Fire Grantwriting class and certification gave me solid, actionable training and practice. I now feel comfortable and confident in my ability to write a grant application for submission. the personal feedback from a seasoned professional who has a long history of success receiving grant awards and ability to ask questions help me address my own challenges. This is an invaluable class with practical advice. I'd sign up for another class in a heartbeat!”

Director of Alumni Giving

Michelle Crimmins

“When I took this course, I was three days into my first job as a grantwriter. Allison helped me fill in the missing pieces in my grant applications, taught me how to stay organized, and provided a step-by-step guide to grant research and writing that I still use today.”

Grant Writer at Seattle Jobs Initiative

Adam Goldstein

“Allison's grantwriting course was thorough and well-taught. It was very organized and worth the time and effort. She is extremely knowledgeable about the subject matter.”

Fundraiser

Becky Kinney

“Thank you so much for this class! It helped give me the confidence to go out and get my dream job and I feel so much more prepared for anything grant-related that comes by way.”

Development Associate

Kara Hunter

“Allison is knowledgeable and approachable, which helps make a seemingly daunting process feel manageable and attainable. ”

Executive Director of Alexander Hamilton Scholars

Angela Hedwall

What is Included In this Course

  • 01

    1: Welcome to the World of Grantwriting!

  • 02

    2: Organizational Readiness

    • Download 2

    • 2.0 Is Your Organization Ready?

    • 2.1 Choosing an Organization

    • 2.2 Organizational Grant Readiness

    • 2.3 Organizational Grant Readiness Checklist

    • 2.4 Discussion - Organizational Lifecycle Matrix

    • 2.5 Test Your Learning - Organizational Readiness

    • 2.6 Assignment: So-That Chain
  • 03

    3: Prospect Research Strategy

    • Download 3

    • 3.0 Where is the Money?

    • 3.1 Where is the Money?

    • 3.2 Subject Approach

    • 3.3 Quiz - Subject Area

    • 3.4 Types of Support Approach

    • 3.5 Geography Approach

    • 3.6 Recipient Approach

    • 3.7 Networking Approach

    • 3.8 Quiz - Approach Strategies

    • 3.9 RFPs
  • 04

    4: Foundations

    • Download 4

    • 4.0 Foundations

    • 4.1 Foundations Background and Overview

    • 4.2 Foundation Databases

    • 4.3 Foundation Directory Online - How to Search

    • 4.4 Foundation Directory Online: Understanding Funding Profiles

    • 4.5 Test Your Learning - Foundations

    • 4.6 Discussion - Foundation Research
  • 05

    5: Corporations

    • Download 5

    • 5.0 Corporations

    • 5.1 Corporate Giving Background and Overview

    • 5.2 Researching Corporate Partners

    • 5.3 Corporate Approach Strategy

    • 5.4 Discussion: Core Values

    • 5.5 Test Your Learning - Corporations
  • 06

    6: Tribes

    • Download 6

    • 6.0 Tribes

    • 6.1 Background on Tribal Giving

    • 6.2 Tribal Map

    • 6.3 Discussion - Tribal Map

    • 6.4 Tribal Approach Strategy

    • 6.5 Test Your Learning - Tribes
  • 07

    7: Service, Professional, & Hobby Clubs

    • Download 7

    • 7.0 Clubs

    • 7.1 Background on Clubs

    • 7.2 Researching Clubs

    • 7.3 Clubs Approach Strategy

    • 7.4 Test Your Learning - Clubs

    • 7.5 Discussion - Clubs & Associations Research
  • 08

    8: Government Grants

    • Download 8

    • 8.0 Hello Uncle Sam!

    • 8.1 Federal Government Grants Overview

    • 8.2 Searching Grants.Gov

    • 8.3 Understanding Federal Funding Opportunities

    • 8.4 To Apply, You Have to be Registered

    • 8.5 Grants.gov Workspace

    • 8.6 Local Government Grants

    • 8.7 Test Your Learning - Gov't Grants
  • 09

    9: Organize Your Prospect Research

    • Download 9

    • 9.0 Organize Your Prospect Research

    • 9.1 Data Collection

    • 9.2 Grants Calendar

    • 9.3 Test Your Learning - Organizing Prospect Research

  • 10

    10: Grant Proposal Strategy

    • Download 10

    • 10.0 Creating Your Grant Proposal Strategy

    • 10.1 Mapping Your Strategy

    • 10.2 Grant Framework

    • 10.3 Grant Application or Proposal

    • 10.4 Nonconventional Tips
  • 11

    11: Application Process

    • Download 11

    • 11.0 Application Process

    • 11.1 Grantmaker Application Formats

    • 11.2 Answer the Question, Really

    • 11.3 Organizational Information Reference Sheet

    • 11.4 Sample Letter of Interest

    • 11.5 Sample Grant Proposals

    • 11.6 Test Your Learning - Tone and Style
  • 12

    12: Organizational Description

    • Download 12

    • 12.1 Organizational Information

    • 12.2 Mission/Vision Statement

    • 12.3 History, Experience, & Purpose

    • 12.4 Sample Organizational Description

    • 12.5 Governance, Staff, & Volunteers

    • 12.6 Partnerships

    • 12.7a Video Tutorial How to Upload an Assignment

    • 12.7 Assignment: Update Grant Framework

    • 12.7b How to Check Your Word or Character Count

    • 12.8 Assignment: Organizational Information
  • 13

    13: Composing the Community Need Statement

    • Download 13

    • 13.0 Composing the Community Need Statement

    • 13.1 Community Need Statement

    • 13.2 Test Your Learning - Community Need Statement

    • 13.3 How to Cite Sources

    • 13.4 Where to Find Research

    • 13.5 Test Your Learning: Where to Find Research

    • 13.6 Discussion – Comparative Analysis

    • 13.6b Citing Sources Example

    • 13.7 Checklist for Community Needs Statement

    • 13.8 Assignment - Update Grant Framework

    • 13.9 Assignment - Community Need Statement
  • 14

    14: Budgets

    • Download 14

    • 14.0 Budgets

    • 14.1 Project Budget

    • 14.2 Budget Formats

    • 14.3 Budget Narrative

    • 14.4 Assignment - Project Budget

    • 14.5 Request Information

    • 14.6 Assignment - Request Info
  • 15

    15: Project Description

    • Download 15

    • 15.0 Project Description

    • 15.1 Project Description

    • 15.2 Goal & Objectives

    • 15.3 Example Goal & Objectives Statements

    • 15.4 Project Team

    • 15.5 Timeline & Work Plan

    • 15.6 Assignment - Update Grant Framework

    • 15.7 Assignment - Project Description
  • 16

    16: Evaluation

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    • 16.0 Evaluation

    • 16.1 Design

    • 16.2 Types of Evaluation

    • 16.3 Process Evaluation

    • 16.4 Outcome Evaluation

    • 16.5 Impact Evaluation

    • 16.6 Evaluation Measurement Tools

    • 16.7 Data Collection

    • 16.8 Example Evaluation Plan

    • 16.9 Case Study of Evaluation Types and Tools

    • 16.10 Assignment - Update Grant Framework

    • 16.11 Closing

    • 16.12 Assignment - Evaluation and Closing
  • 17

    17: Organizational Documentation

    • Download 17

    • 17.0 Organizational Documentation

    • 17.1 Overview

    • 17.2 IRS Determination Letter

    • 17.3 Board Roster

    • 17.4 Key Staff Roster

    • 17.5 Financial Statements

    • 17.6 Balance Sheet

    • 17.7 Sources of Income

    • 17.8 Test Your Learning - Financial Forms
  • 18

    18: Building Relationships with Grantmakers

    • Download 18

    • 18.0 Building Relationships with Grantmakers

    • 18.1 Communication

    • 18.2 Prior to Applying

    • 18.3 Review of the Proposal or Application

    • 18.4 Scoring Your Proposal

    • 18.5 Test Your Learning

    • 18.6 After the Application

    • 18.7 Site Visits

    • 18.8 Test Your Learning - Site Visits

    • 18.9 Receiving the News

    • 18.10 Test Your Learning - Receiving the News

    • 18.11 Grant Reports

    • 18.12 Test Your Learning - Grant Reports

    • 18.13 Assignment - Final Grant Proposal
  • 19

    19: Ethics of Grantwriting

    • Download 19

    • 19.0 Ethics

    • 19.1 Ethics of Grantwriting

    • 19.2 Test Your Learning - Ethics
  • 20

    20: Next steps

    • 20.0 Congrats! Here's what's next...

    • 20.1 Before you go...

    • Submit a Review

Refund Policy

Students are welcome to participate in the first module of the course without commitment or fee. Once the course has been purchased, we do not provide refunds due to intellectual rights. 

Students are invited to participate in a learning cohort, in which a group of students moves through the course together and attend weekly live video conference meetings for group discussion. 

Students may also take the course on their own and at their own pace if preferred, so long as the student registered directly through Spark the Fire and have six months to complete the course from the date of enrollment. Students who register through a college program must complete the course within the time frame provided by the college according to the quarter schedule.


Instructor

Allison Shirk

Allison Shirk is the Executive Director of Spark the Fire Grantwriting Classes and is dedicated to helping organizations make a positive change in their community and in the world. She has more than 20 years experience writing grants for nonprofit organizations, schools, tribes, and government entities. She is an Approved Specialist in the Nonprofit Resource Directory, a vetted resource of nonprofit consultants recommended by their clients and peers. Allison specializes in grantwriting, fundraising, case statements, strategic planning, evaluation, continuous quality improvement, and nonprofit development. She has helped organization raise millions of dollars through grantwriting. She is a Columnist for the Foundation Center - New York, The Sustainable Nonprofit.

Allison Shirk

Executive Director