About this Course

Executive Certificate in Grantwriting

Executive Certificate in Grantwriting is a comprehensive course in grantwriting and grants management that includes two group conference sessions with the nonprofit employee's supervisor for feedback and input.

This course is interactive and on-demand, providing reading, research, quizzes, videos, and writing assignments to help you write a grant proposal step-by-step. By the end of the course, you will have completed a grant proposal with your instructor’s individualized, guided assistance and input and review from your supervisor. 

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 write and manage grants successfully. Executive Certificate in Grantwriting is an excellent investment for nonprofit professionals seeking career development and advancement.

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Course Reviews

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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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

    • 2.1 Is Your Organization Ready?

    • 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

    • 12.8 Assignment: Organizational Information

    • 12.9 How to Check Your Word or Character Count
  • 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

    • 13.7 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

    • Copy of 14.1 Project Budget

    • 14.3 Budget Formats

    • 14.4 Budget Narrative

    • 14.5 Assignment - Project Budget

    • 14.6 Request Information

    • 14.7 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

    • Download 16

    • 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...

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