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. 

Social proof: reviews

Cora Davidson

5 star rating

“If you are thinking about starting a grantwriting consulting business or are already running one, this course is well worth the time, money, and effort. Allison shares many useful tools and resources, addressing many of the issues we've been facin...”

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“If you are thinking about starting a grantwriting consulting business or are already running one, this course is well worth the time, money, and effort. Allison shares many useful tools and resources, addressing many of the issues we've been facing, and stimulating further thought and conversation. Many thanks to Allison for creating this wonderful resource.”

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Christy Pierce

5 star rating

“Allison uses relevant examples, tips, resources, and stories, giving a clear roadmap for building a grantwriting business. This course gave me the confidence and direction I needed to go out on my own and successfully engage and manage clients, wh...”

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“Allison uses relevant examples, tips, resources, and stories, giving a clear roadmap for building a grantwriting business. This course gave me the confidence and direction I needed to go out on my own and successfully engage and manage clients, while raising money for their important causes. ”

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Ruby Gooley

5 star rating

“The course was excellent. Allison offers practical information from a professional view. Each chapter builds on the other with comprehensive content presented for applications to grant writing. It's impressive that Allison can effectively cover so...”

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“The course was excellent. Allison offers practical information from a professional view. Each chapter builds on the other with comprehensive content presented for applications to grant writing. It's impressive that Allison can effectively cover so much ground in a single course.”

→Read Less

Social proof: testimonials

“The course allowed me to get a solid foundation and the tools to launch. Allison inspires us all to go out and raise money for the causes we care about in a high-quality manner sure to get results.”

Former Student, Executive Director of Issaquah Highlands Counci,l & Founder of Issaqauah Highlands Community Fund

Christy Garrard

“Allison helped me pinpoint the missing links I needed to focus on as I prepare myself to move from a few part-time clients to pursuing a full-time freelance business. I now feel like the missing link has been pointed out and I know what I need to focus on to move forward. ”

Former Student, Development Director at Velocity Dance Center

Colleen Borst

“Whether you're getting started as a grantwriter, or looking for a career refresher course, Allison's workshops are fun, relevant, and educational! Framing of the business process was especially useful, as was the great presentation of materials and content.”

Former Student, Executive Director at MAMCHES

Brad Cerenzia

Course Curriculum

  • 01

    Welcome to the Course!

  • 02

    Chapter One: Setting Up Your Business

  • 03

    Chapter Two: Your Business Plan

    • 2.1 Quick Start Business Plan
  • 04

    Chapter Three: Calculating Your Startup Costs

    • 3.1 Calculate Your Startup Costs Overview

    • 3.2 Set Up Your Office

    • 3.3 Consider Your Office Equipment

    • 3.4 Get Efficient with Software & Apps

    • 3.5 Save Money with Tax Deductions

    • 3.6 Keep Close Tabs on Receipts

    • 3.7 Plan Ahead for Self-Employment Taxes

    • 3.8 Use Tax-Filing Software

    • 3.9 Hire Family Members to Work for You

    • 3.10 Determine How Much to Charge

    • 3.11 Why We Don't Work On Commission

    • 3.12 Test Your Learning

    • 3.13 Upload Your Business Start Up Budget
  • 05

    Chapter Four: Getting Clients

    • 4.0 A Quick Story

    • 4.1 Determine Your Marketing Strategy

    • 4.2 Freelance Grantwriter Listings

    • 4.3 Word of Mouth

    • 4.4 Networking

    • 4.5 Website

    • 4.6 Sponsorships

    • 4.7 Social Media

    • 4.8 Job Ads

    • 4.9 Volunteering

    • 4.10 Marketing Assets

    • 4.11 Test Your Learning

    • 4.12 Assignment: Business Plan
  • 06

    Chapter Five - Engaging Clients

    • 5.0 A Quick Story

    • 5.1 Prepare for Your First Interview

    • 5.2 Fee Schedule

    • 5.3 Resume

    • 5.4 Recent Grants List

    • 5.5 List of Services

    • 5.6 W-9 Form

    • 5.7 Writing Samples

    • 5.8 Survey - What will you do?
  • 07

    Chapter Six - The Interview

    • 6.0 Quick Story

    • 6.1 Initial Phone Call

    • 6.2 Initial Meeting

    • 6.3 Client Checklist

    • 6.4 Client Intake Form

    • 6.5 Survey - What do you think?
  • 08

    Chapter Seven - New Client Intake

    • 7.1 Freelancer Checklist

    • 7.2 Contracts

    • 7.3 Dropbox or Share File

    • 7.4 Key Staff Contact Info

    • 7.5 Social Media & Newsletter

    • 7.6 Make a Donation

    • 7.7 Personal Note

    • 7.8 Accounting Set Up

    • 7.9 Stationary

    • 7.10 Communication

    • 7.11 Invoice Your Client

    • 7.12 Status Report

    • 7.13 Grant Calendar & Prospect Research Tracking

    • 7.14 Survey - What do you think?
  • 09

    Chapter Eight - Managing Clients

    • 8.1 Managing Clients

    • 8.2 Tracking Hours and Billing

    • 8.3 Other Strategies to Save Time

    • 8.4 Growing Your Business

    • 8.5 Average Hours to Complete Grants

    • 8.6 Communicating with Grantmakers

    • 8.7 Survey - What do you think?
  • 10

    Chapter Nine - Sticky Situations

    • 9.1 Sticky Situations

    • 9.2 Ethics and Protecting Yourself

    • 9.3 Final Fun Tips

    • 9.4 Survey - What do you think?

    • 9.5 Video: Work Life Balance (TED Talk)
  • 11

    Next steps

    • 10.1 More Resources for You

    • 10.2 Before you go...

    • 10.3 Submit a Review

    • 10.4 Download for Future Reference

Allison Shirk Instructor

Instructor Bio:

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