Certificate in Grant Writing
Learn to write grants and earn your Certificate in Grant Writing. Follow a step-by-step curriculum that walks you through writing each section of a grant proposal. Work with an expert grant writer as you master the art of writing effective grant proposals that bring in the funding you need.
About the Certificate in Grant Writing
The course is a blended format of online and on-demand materials combined with a series of eight live video conference meetings with a learning cohort for problem- and case-based discussions. Course topics include proposal writing, organizational readiness, grant strategy, developing budgets, building relationships with grantmakers, ethics, and reporting.
By the end, you'll have written an exemplary grant proposal for the organization or project of your choice with feedback and encouragement from your instructor and peers.
who is this certificate for?
This grant writing certificate is for professionals working in the nonprofit, government, tribal, and educational sectors and those seeking a career in these sectors. The course covers the basics of grant writing for beginners and moves quickly into advanced strategies for those with prior experience writing grants. The course is an excellent certification to add to your resume for those seeking a career change or professional advancement.
What will you learn in this grant writing program?
Certificate in Grant Writing is a comprehensive course in grant writing that will give you the experience and confidence you need to become a grant professional.
Known as “The best grant writing class I have ever taken!” You will write a complete grant proposal step-by-step and receive individualized feedback from Allison Jones, CEO and Founder, eight times during the course. Along the way, you will learn how to:
Develop a logic model to build a persuasive framework for your proposal.
Describe the organization’s expertise, experience, and governance incorporating storytelling.
Write a research-based community need statement describing why it matters.
Incorporate powerful imagery into the project description.
Demonstrate a powerful impact using evaluation and closing.
In addition, you will learn:
Prospect research, where to find grant opportunities.
Building relationships with grantmakers.
Documentation and how to submit your proposal.
The review process from the perspective of a seasoned grant reviewer.
Ethics of grant writing.
When does the certificate course begin?
You can begin the course any time and learn at your own pace, or you can take the course with a group cohort that starts and finishes simultaneously. Group courses begin quarterly - winter, spring, summer, and fall.
learn in a group or at your own pace
The group cohort courses bring together a group of professionals to move through the eight-week course together. Network as you meet weekly on Zoom and participate in peer reviews.
The self-paced course adds you to a community of students taking the course at their own pace. You will receive access to video tutorials instead of participating in live Zoom meetings and the opportunity to participate in an information peer review.
Want to start a freelance grant writing business? Take the Certificate in Grant Writing course PLUS the Business of Freelance Grant Writing course, and save $100 when you purchase the courses at the same time with the Bundle.
Grant Writing Certificate Approvals
This course has been approved by the Grant Professional Certification Institute and the Certified Fund Raising Executives.
Full participation in 2023 Certificate in Grant Writing courses are applicable for 24 points in Category 1.B – Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and recertification, including:
Winter Quarter 2024
Spring Quarter 2024
Summer Quarter 2024
Fall Quarter 2024
All Self-Paced Courses
What Students Say About the Grant Writing Certificate Course
Enjoy this informational video about the Spark the Fire Certificate in Grantwriting course.
Grow Faster with the Executive Certificate in Grant Writing
The Executive Certificate in Grant Writing is an advanced course designed specifically for professionals eager to accelerate their career growth. This exclusive program goes beyond traditional coursework to provide personalized, one-on-one mentorship that caters to your unique professional needs and aspirations. Each participant will benefit from two 45-minute individualized sessions with Allison Jones, the founder of Spark the Fire Grant Writing Classes. These sessions are a cornerstone of the program, offering a private forum to discuss course progress, career ambitions, or particular challenges you face in your grant writing endeavors.
During these strategic meetings with Allison, you will have the opportunity to dive deep into the specifics of your grant writing techniques, troubleshoot complex issues, and refine your approach based on expert feedback. Whether you're looking to sharpen your skills for an upcoming project or seeking advice on long-term career development, the time is customized to focus intensively on whatever you need. This tailored experience not only enhances your learning but also significantly boosts your professional trajectory in the field of grant writing.
Meet Your Instructor
Allison Jones, CEO and Founder
Allison Jones is the founder and CEO of Spark the Fire Grant Writing Classes, which provides experiential instruction in writing grant proposals using brain-based learning. She is one of only twenty-five approved trainers in the country for the Grant Professionals Certification Institute and is an approved trainer of the Grant Professionals Association and Certified Fundraising Executives. With two decades of experience in grant writing and nonprofit management, her classes have been rated as one of the best grant writing courses in the nation for three years running by Instrumentl. She reviews grants for foundations and government entities, giving her unique insight into the current state of fundraising. Jones has an M.Ed. in Adult Education and is a Grant Writing Professor at Evergreen College, Western Washington University, and Seattle Colleges.
Allison Jones is an experienced speaker and trainer for nonprofit conferences across the country, most recently including the Montana State Nonprofit Conference, Idaho State Nonprofit Conference, Association of Fundraising Professionals, and Grant Professionals Association conferences.
Learn more about why I started Spark the Fire Grant Writing Classes.
Course Curriculum
This is the course plan for the Certificate in Grant Writing course. The course capstone projects include a completed grant proposal using a common grant application and a project budget.
Week One: Welcome to the World of Grant Writing!
COURSE INTRO
Choosing an Organization
Discussion: Introduce Yourself
A WINNING MINDSET
History of Philanthropy
Concept of Framing
Quiz: Compelling Proposals
Role of a Grant Writer
Grant Writing Terminology & Facts
Types of Support
APPLICATION PROCESS
Application Formats
Answer the Question, Really!
Letters of Interest/Inquiry
Quiz: Tone and Style
Discussion: Sample Grant Proposals
Mapping Your Strategy
Week Two: Organizational Description
ORGANIZATIONAL READINESS
Grant Readiness Checklist
ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION
Organizational Information
Mission and Vision Statements
History, Experience, and Purpose
Governance, Staff, and Volunteers
Partnerships
More Learning Resources
Assignment: Grant Framework - Organizational Description
Assignment: Grant Proposal - Organizational Description
Discussion: Peer Review
GRANT RESEARCH: GRANT PROPOSAL STRATEGY
Subject Approach
Types of Support Approach
Geography Approach
Recipient Approach
Networking Approach
Approach Strategies Quiz
Week Three: Why it Matters: Community Needs Statement
COMPOSING THE COMMUNITY NEED STATEMENT
How to Cite Sources
Where to Find Research
Quiz - Test Your Learning
Discussion: Comparative Analysis
Citing Sources Examples
Checklist for Community Needs Statement
Assignment: Grant Framework - Community Needs Statement
Assignment: Grant Proposal - Community Needs Statement
Discussion: Peer Review
GRANT RESEARCH - FOUNDATIONS
Foundation Databases
Discussion: Foundation Research
Quiz - Test Your Learning
Week Four: Request Info and Project Budget
PROJECT BUDGET
Budget Formats
Budget Narrative
Request Information - The Ask
Assignment: Grant Proposal - Request Info
Assignment: Grant Framework - Budget
Assignment: Project Budget
Discussion: Peer Review
GRANT RESEARCH: CORPORATIONS
Overview
Corporate Giving
Research Corporate Partners
Corporate Approach Strategy
Quiz - Test Your Learning
Corporate Relationships in Action
Week Five: Project Description
PROJECT DESCRIPTION OVERVIEW
Primary Goal and SMARTIE Objectives
Examples
Project Team
Timeline and Work Plan
Assignment: Framework - Project Description
Discussion: Peer Review
GRANT RESEARCH - TRIBES
Tribal Giving
Approach Strategy
Quiz - Test Your Learning
GRANT RESEARCH - SERVICE, PROFESSIONAL, AND HOBBY CLUBS
Research and Approach Strategy
Quiz - Test Your Learning
Week Six: Project Description Part two
NEW: Trust-Based Philanthropy
NEW: ChatGPT and Grant Writing
Assignment: Grant Proposal - Project Description
Discussion: Peer Review
GRANT RESEARCH: GOVERNMENT GRANTS
Overview
Searching Grants.gov
Understanding Federal Funding Opportunities
To Apply, You Have to be Registered
Grants.gov Workplace
Local Government Grants
Quiz - Test Your Learning
Week Seven: Evaluation
Evaluation Design
Data Collection
Measurement Tools
Types of Evaluation
Process Evaluation
Outcome Evaluation
Impact Evaluation
Assignment: Framework - Evaluation
Assignment: Grant Proposal - Evaluation and Closing
Discussion: Peer Review
GRANTS RESEARCH - GRANT CALENDAR
Data Collection
Grants Calendar
Quiz - Test Your Learning
Week Eight: Documentation, Communications, Ethics
BEFORE THE GRANT APPLICATION
Communication Strategy
Building Relationship with Grantmakers
ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTATION
Overview
IRS Determination Letter
Board Roster
Key Staff Roster
Financial Statements
Balance Sheets
Sources of Income
Quiz - Financial Forms
AFTER THE APPLICATION
Review of the Proposal or Application
Site Visits
Scoring Your Proposal
Receiving the News
Grant Reports
Quiz - Test Your Learning
ETHICS OF GRANT WRITING
Ethics
Next Steps
Assignment: Final Project Submission