Session 1: An Honest Look at Who Funds What (And Whether You're Ready)

How to find grant opportunities and evaluate whether they're worth pursuing. We'll cover where to look, what funders look for, and how to assess fit before you invest time in an application. Then we dive into the first section of a grant proposal: who you are, your mission, your history, and your capacity to execute. Participants will use AI to draft an organizational description—a reusable document applicable to grant applications, loan packages, and partnership proposals.

 Learning Objectives:

•      Identify where to find grant opportunities relevant to your organization

•      Evaluate funder fit before investing time in an application

•      Articulate your organization's mission, history, and capacity to deliver

Deliverable: Organizational Description

Homework: Submit your organizational description. The first five submissions receive written feedback, and one will be reviewed live at the start of Session 2.

Session 2: Funders Invest in Solutions: Describe the Problem You're Solving

The core of grant writing: how to document community need and make a compelling case for your project. Funders invest in solutions to real problems—and they want to see evidence. We'll cover how to ground your need statement in data and clearly articulate what you're asking for. Participants will use AI to gather evidence, back up their assumptions with research, and draft a community insight statement.

Learning Objectives:

•      Document community need using credible evidence

•      Use AI tools to research and validate assumptions

•      Clearly articulate the funding request and project summary

Deliverable: Community Insight Statement

Homework: Submit your community insight statement. The first five submissions receive written feedback, and one will be reviewed live at the start of Session 3.

Session 3: The Heart of the Proposal: What You're Going to Do

A logic model connects what you do to the change you create—and it's the foundation for writing a strong project description. We'll cover goals, objectives, activities, outputs, and outcomes. Participants will use AI to build a logic model for one project or initiative and learn how to translate it into a project narrative. This session also covers practical applications of AI: what it's good for, what it's not, ethical considerations, and how to use it without losing your authentic voice.

Learning Objectives:

•      Develop measurable goals and objectives

•      Build a logic model connecting activities to outcomes

•      Apply AI tools ethically and effectively in grant writing

Deliverable: Logic Model

Homework: Submit your logic model. The first five submissions receive written feedback, and one will be reviewed live at the start of Session 4.

Session 4: Prove It: Measuring Success and Strengthening Your Proposal

How you'll measure project success and how you'll spend the money—two sections that make or break a proposal. We'll cover evaluation plans and budget narratives, including how to justify your numbers and connect spending to outcomes. Participants will learn how to use AI to review a grant proposal for strengths and weaknesses, tighten the narrative, and strengthen budget justifications.

Learning Objectives:

•      Design an evaluation plan with meaningful metrics

•      Develop a budget narrative that justifies expenses and connects spending to outcomes

•      Use AI to critique and strengthen a grant proposal

Deliverable: Evaluation Plan + Budget Narrative