Getting Started in Grant Writing
Curious about how to secure funding for your organization, project, or idea? Join us for an engaging, hands-on introduction to the grant development process—perfect for community members, nonprofit leaders, educators, and aspiring grant writers alike. You'll learn how to search for grants, develop compelling needs statements, identify funders, craft persuasive proposals, and even use AI to streamline your work. This class also covers how to build lasting relationships with funders beyond the application. Walk away with practical tools and insights to turn your ideas into well-supported proposals that make a real impact. Textbook Optional: "Getting Funded: The Complete Guide to Writing Grant Proposals", ISBN#: 0984277250.
Instructor: Jenn Sparks
Jenn has spent over ten years writing and directing both private and public grants in the non-profit and education realms, along with other types of business writing including mission and vision development, continuous improvement planning, annual reports, and business plans. She also has seven years of experience in instruction in the K-12 and community college settings.
Participant Learning Objectives/Outcomes
Understand the Grant Writing Process
- Identify key components of a grant proposal and understand the steps involved in researching, writing, and submitting grants.
Research Funding Opportunities
- Learn how to identify and evaluate potential funders, including government, foundation, and corporate grant sources.
Develop Core Proposal Elements
- Gain skills in writing essential grant sections such as the needs statement, goals and objectives, budget, and evaluation plan.
Tailor Proposals to Funders
- Understand how to align proposals with funder priorities and tailor language and content accordingly.
Build Basic Budgeting Skills
- Learn how to create a simple project budget that clearly supports proposal activities and aligns with funding requirements.
Develop a Stewardship Program
- Create an individualized plan to cultivate relationships with funders as a means of ongoing support