Grant Writing For Dummies

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Provider

Coursera
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Certificate Available
Effort

25 weeks, 1 hour a week
Sessions

Self-Paced
Level

Beginner
Subtitles

English

Found in

Grant Writing Courses

Overview

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Get expert advice on sourcing, writing, and winning grants. Learn to navigate government portals, structure compelling proposals, and write persuasive narratives with real-world examples and proven templates. This resource provides a comprehensive guide to mastering the grant writing process, from identifying funders to crafting compelling proposals. It equips learners with practical strategies for navigating both federal and private-sector funding opportunities. The content emphasizes long-term success, including sustaining relationships and growing a career in grant consulting. This resource is ideal for nonprofit professionals, small business owners, academics, and aspiring grant writers. A basic understanding of organizational structure and project planning is recommended, along with comfort in research and writing. This course takes a practical, example-driven approach to teaching grant writing. From researching funders to submitting a complete proposal, it emphasizes clarity, readiness, and strategy. Real samples, expert insights, and online tools support both beginners and working professionals. This course is based on Grant Writing For Dummies, by Beverly A. Browning. From Grant Writing For Dummies Copyright © 2022 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Syllabus

Grantwriting Basics for Beginners
- This module provides an introductory overview of grantwriting, covering essential topics such as grant types, eligibility criteria, planning processes, and strategies for approaching private-sector funders. Learners will gain practical knowledge on how to research and approach potential funding sources effectively.
Preparing for Successful Grantseeking
- This module equips learners with the essential strategies for assessing and enhancing nonprofit readiness for grant fundraising. It covers how to build board capacity, develop realistic funding plans, and effectively research and engage with potential funders. Learners will gain practical skills to improve their organization's grant success rates.
Understanding Grantmaking Entities Expectations
- This module provides insights into aligning grant proposals with funder expectations, structuring project descriptions, and using effective storytelling techniques. Learners will gain skills in understanding grant guidelines, crafting compliant applications, and presenting compelling narratives to increase funding success.
Venturing into Public-Sector Grants
- This module covers the process of accessing public-sector grants, including how to navigate federal and state-level funding streams, identify eligible applicants, and engage with political advocates to enhance grant success. Learners will gain practical knowledge on tracking and applying for grants at various governmental levels.
Navigating the Federal Grant Submission Portals
- This module provides learners with a comprehensive overview of how to navigate the federal grant submission process. It covers essential topics such as registering on Grants.gov, understanding eligibility criteria, and completing required application forms. Learners will gain the skills needed to effectively access and apply for federal funding opportunities.
Researching Potential Private-Sector Funders
- This module equips learners with strategies to identify and evaluate private-sector funders, including foundations and corporations. It covers the use of research tools like GuideStar and other grant-research platforms to align proposal goals with funder priorities. Learners will gain practical skills in matching their projects with potential financial supporters.
Finding Legitimate Grants for Individuals and Businesses
- This module equips learners with strategies to locate and evaluate legitimate grant opportunities for startups and small businesses. It covers how to identify credible funding sources and understand eligibility criteria for programs like SBIR and STTR. Learners will also gain insights into navigating the complex application and compliance processes.
Finding Grants for Academia and Fellowships
- This module provides learners with essential skills in identifying and accessing grant opportunities for academic and research purposes. It covers key terminology, strategies for locating federal and corporate funding, and how to use institutional and external databases effectively.
Identifying Funds for Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs)
- This module equips learners with the skills to navigate international grant opportunities for NGOs. It covers how to identify global funding sources, understand eligibility criteria, and adapt financial proposals for non-U.S. standards.
Finding Federal Grant Opportunities That Fit Your Needs
- This module equips learners with the skills to navigate federal grant opportunities, understand key requirements, and assess organizational readiness for successful grant applications. It guides through the process of identifying suitable grants, analyzing guidelines, and evaluating criteria to improve application outcomes.
Winning with Peer Review Scoring Factors
- This module equips learners with the knowledge and skills to align grant narratives with review criteria, understand peer review processes, and develop strong evaluation plans to increase funding success. It covers strategies for demonstrating accountability, validating needs, and leveraging third-party evaluators to strengthen applications.
Resuscitating Your Writing
- This module focuses on modernizing grant writing techniques by emphasizing clarity, storytelling, and alignment with funder priorities. Learners will gain skills in crafting compelling need statements, integrating case studies, and structuring SMART objectives to increase the effectiveness of their proposals.
Preparing Preliminary Documents
- This module provides an in-depth look at the essential documents and formatting requirements needed for successful grant applications. Learners will gain an understanding of mandatory forms, information-gathering processes, and strategies for effectively structuring grant narratives.
Developing the Organizational History and Capability Boilerplate Narrative
- This module focuses on crafting effective organizational narratives for grant applications, including how to present current programs, capabilities, and partnerships in a compelling and credible manner. Learners will gain skills in structuring consistent and relevant content to strengthen their grant proposals.
Validating Your Needs with a Compelling Narrative
- This module teaches learners how to create persuasive grant narratives by combining storytelling, data, and visuals. It covers techniques for effectively communicating problems, using real-life examples, and incorporating graphics to maintain reader interest and clarity.
Incorporating Best Practices to Build the Program Design Narrative
- This module provides learners with the skills to craft effective program design narratives for grant proposals. It covers how to develop clear goals and objectives, create implementation plans, and design evaluation strategies. Learners will gain practical knowledge on aligning their proposals with funder expectations.
Preparing Project Management Plans and Sustainability Narratives
- This module teaches learners how to effectively prepare project management plans and sustainability narratives, focusing on staffing, resource allocation, and grant-writing strategies to secure funding and ensure responsible financial management.
Creating a Budget That Includes All the Funding You Need
- This module guides learners through the process of developing comprehensive and realistic budgets for grant proposals. It covers key areas such as aligning budgets with project goals, identifying personnel and equipment costs, and securing matching funds. Learners will also gain insights into ethical spending and long-term financial planning.
Checking Off the Mandatory Requirements for Compliance
- This module guides learners through the essential steps to finalize a grant application, including verifying components, adhering to formatting guidelines, and organizing attachments for submission. It emphasizes the importance of attention to detail and clarity in the final stages of the application process.
Knowing What to Do after Submitting Your Application
- This module equips learners with essential post-submission strategies, including effective document storage, stakeholder communication, and tracking grant application status. It also covers how to follow up with funders and access relevant information to ensure a smooth post-application process.
Winning or Losing: What's Next?
- This module guides learners through the critical steps after submitting a grant application, including managing grant outcomes, developing communication strategies, and handling multiple funding sources. It provides practical insights into maintaining compliance and optimizing financial reporting in grant management.
Requesting Matching Funds and Other Goodies from Corporate Grantmakers
- This module covers strategies for building relationships with corporate grantmakers, identifying funding opportunities, and crafting effective proposal letters. Learners will gain skills in accessing corporate philanthropy and structuring compelling requests for financial and in-kind support.
Ten e-Grant Tips
- This module provides essential guidance on navigating e-grant applications, including setup, template usage, and file management. Learners will gain practical skills to efficiently handle the e-grant process and avoid common pitfalls.
Ten Steps to Making Grant Writing Your Career
- This module guides learners through the process of transitioning into a freelance grantwriting career by covering strategies for training, salary research, and fee planning, as well as the importance of staying updated on industry trends.
Ten Ways to Continue Being Viewed as a Grant Professional
- This module provides learners with actionable strategies to enhance their grantwriting skills, focusing on research, peer review, and professional development. It equips participants with the knowledge to position themselves as expert grant professionals and improve their ability to secure funding. Learners will gain practical insights into developing and refining their grant proposal skills.