Career Development   

Class Overview

The world of grant-seeking is becoming more competitive. Gain the knowledge to become a successful grant writer, whether you're a program manager, fund developer, or the head of an organization. Learn a series of essential skills, from project design to development and persuasive writing, and gain practical experience. 

Discover where to find grant opportunities, how to write grant reports, and how to build relationships with grantmakers so that you have all the information you need to get funding for something you care deeply about. Explore the ethics involved in writing proposals and reports, and receiving funds. 

Topics will include:

• Writing a grant proposal, step by step
• Where to find grant opportunities and research strategies
• Using a logic model to design your project
• Formulating goals, outcomes, and objectives
• Preparing a project work plan and timeline
• Budgeting your project
• Evaluation 
• Editing for persuasive communications
• Building relationships with grantmakers
• The ethics involved in the grantwriting process

This online course provides on-demand instruction with reading and writing assignments plus a weekly Zoom meeting with your learning cohort for problem-based discussion. You will receive one-on-one personalized feedback on your writing and grant strategy - a huge asset of this class that sets it apart from others.

To achieve the certificate, you will need to complete a grant proposal within eight weeks, following the course curriculum. Your instructor, Allison Jones Shirk, M.Ed. has more than 25 years of experience writing grants and is a certified grantwriting instructor through the Grant Professional Association and Grant Professional Certification Institute. She will guide you through this process step by step. 

This course is approved for 24 continuing education points for initial certification and renewal as a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and Grant Professional Certified (GPC). This course, in partnership with Spark the Fire Grantwriting Classes, was rated by Instrumentl as one of the best grantwriting classes of 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Learning Objectives

• Properly outline goals for grants
• Develop proposals that will help you win grants
• Utilize skills in how to present your proposal
• Develop relationships with grantmakers
• Have a finished grant proposal developed with the guidance of an expert 

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

• Professionals from government, nonprofit, tribes, and educational organizations
• Fund development consultants who are interested in honing their skills
• Freelance writers interested in expanding their available services
• Anyone interested in a career in nonprofits, government, education, tribes, fund development, or grantwriting

Free Info Session 

Meet the instructor, find out more about the class, and ask your questions!
REGISTER for the Info Session

Class Overview

The world of grant-seeking is becoming more competitive. Gain the knowledge to become a successful grant writer, whether you're a program manager, fund developer, or the head of an organization. Learn a series of essential skills, from project design to development and persuasive writing, and gain practical experience. 

Discover where to find grant opportunities, how to write grant reports, and how to build relationships with grantmakers so that you have all the information you need to get funding for something you care deeply about. Explore the ethics involved in writing proposals and reports, and receiving funds. 

Topics will include:

• Writing a grant proposal, step by step
• Where to find grant opportunities and research strategies
• Using a logic model to design your project
• Formulating goals, outcomes, and objectives
• Preparing a project work plan and timeline
• Budgeting your project
• Evaluation 
• Editing for persuasive communications
• Building relationships with grantmakers
• The ethics involved in the grantwriting process

This online course provides on-demand instruction with reading and writing assignments plus a weekly Zoom meeting with your learning cohort for problem-based discussion. You will receive one-on-one personalized feedback on your writing and grant strategy - a huge asset of this class that sets it apart from others.

To achieve the certificate, you will need to complete a grant proposal within eight weeks, following the course curriculum. Your instructor, Allison Jones Shirk, M.Ed. has more than 25 years of experience writing grants and is a certified grantwriting instructor through the Grant Professional Association and Grant Professional Certification Institute. She will guide you through this process step by step. 

This course is approved for 24 continuing education points for initial certification and renewal as a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and Grant Professional Certified (GPC). This course, in partnership with Spark the Fire Grantwriting Classes, was rated by Instrumentl as one of the best grantwriting classes of 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Learning Objectives

• Properly outline goals for grants
• Develop proposals that will help you win grants
• Utilize skills in how to present your proposal
• Develop relationships with grantmakers
• Have a finished grant proposal developed with the guidance of an expert 

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

• Professionals from government, nonprofit, tribes, and educational organizations
• Fund development consultants who are interested in honing their skills
• Freelance writers interested in expanding their available services
• Anyone interested in a career in nonprofits, government, education, tribes, fund development, or grantwriting

Free Info Session 

Meet the instructor, find out more about the class, and ask your questions!
REGISTER for the Info Session

Class Overview

Express your ideas with fashion illustration! Learn to draw the fashion figure and represent clothing on the body accurately. 

In this class, explore different techniques using various media and stylization. Fashion illustration is a great creative outlet for anyone interested in art, fashion, drawing, or just having fun in a relaxed, low-pressure environment.  If you have a more serious interest in fashion illustration, this is an opportunity to enhance your skills and portfolio. 

We will start by drawing simple shapes, then progress to drawing figures, and then clothing. You will be able to practice drawing figures in various poses. Over time, you will be able to build skills in line quality, color, and composition to create a finished drawing.

The instructor will demonstrate skills, then students will practice them with individual guidance from the instructor. The course includes hand-outs for student reference. Drawing experience is helpful but not necessary. 

Bring any kind of pencil and paper to draw on. You will receive a list of suggested materials to purchase on the first day.

Supplies Needed

Click here to see the supply list.

Learning Objectives

Upon full completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Draw a figure with classic 8 head and 9 head fashion illustration proportions
• Draw figures in various poses
• Represent key anatomical parts and facial features
• Apply line quality and value to your drawing
• Represent clothing on the body
• Apply color and background to your drawing

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

• Anyone interested in fashion or illustration. 
• Drawing experience is helpful but not necessary.