WRITING   

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. 

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 and 2023.

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 -- Tuesday, June 6; 6-7 pm

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. 

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 and 2023.

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 -- Tuesday, June 6; 6-7 pm

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

Class Overview

Start telling your life story! In this class, gain the support and motivation to get started, and continue to move forward, writing the story of your life. 

From ideas to notes, to messy first drafts and the final polish, we'll cover the basics of writing. Learn how to find and develop your own unique voice, and how to discover your story through writing. Explore the tools of the trade, some of which memoirists borrow from fiction writers, others from journalists, and still others from poets.

This class will provide you with time and focus for writing together in class. You will also be expected to write between classes, in order to develop your practice, although there will be no fixed amount of writing required. Sharing will be encouraged but is always optional. Learn and practice the art of giving and receiving supportive, insightful feedback.

There will be handouts and/or reading suggestions offered in class.

Learning Objectives

• Overcome fears about writing and get started
• Find your voice and learn to write comfortably and confidently as yourself
• Discover your story through writing
• Learn to treat your writing seriously and with respect
• Think, observe, interview, and read as a writer
• Become comfortable sharing your writing with others

Who Might Enjoy This Class

• This class is for anyone who wants to write about their lives
• Open to writers at all levels
• No experience is needed; everyone is welcome!

Class Overview

In part two of this two-part series, work towards the remaining steps needed to publish your book. Focus on finishing the content of your book, and explore options for promotion, publication, and distribution.
 

This course is taught by Georgetta Gancarz who has written and published over 20 books to date and also teaches art classes for Continuing Education.

Georgetta shares a bit about her motivation: "I created this class because after writing my 20th book, I wanted to give back to the community, helping others to achieve publication, like I have.”

Learning Objectives

Who Might Enjoy This Class

Writers, artists, photographers, and anyone interested in publishing a book.

Class Overview

Whether you’re struggling at the beginning, middle, or the end of your story, this class will spark fresh ideas, strengthen your skills, and offer encouragement. Master the practices that strong writers employ so that you, too, can write riveting fiction or memoir.

Throughout the class, we’ll read short pieces, do practice exercises, and share our work in a safe, supportive environment. Learn to write powerful settings, memorable characters, and authentic dialogue in window pane glass clear prose.

The atmosphere of the class will promote discussion and positive feedback and, through small breakout rooms on Zoom, students will connect much more than in a typical online class.

Write Your Masterpiece is an engaging class for writers of fiction and memoir, and promises to be fun, captivating, and informative.

Supplies Needed

Access to a computer and email to write and send documents.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the difference between writing for yourself and writing for readers
• Identify elements of strong writing and learn to employ them
• Work through fear of writing emotionally difficult scenes
• Understand the power of revision
• Be inspired to finish a written piece, whether fiction or memoir
• Connect with other writers and enjoy the support of a community

Who Might Enjoy This Class

• Anyone who considered writing creatively at any time in their life
• People who have begun a story (fiction or memoir) but haven’t finished it
• All levels of writers are welcome!

Optional Textbooks & Resources

Bird by Bird by Ann Lamont may prove helpful; an essay you can read from that book is The Shitty First Draft.