Grant Writing Fundamentals for Non-Profit Organizations

Course Name

Grant Writing Fundamentals for Non-Profit Organizations

Contact Hours: 16 (an estimated time frame devoted to a course of study from start to finish that can vary from student to student)

Course Description

This self-paced class will give you the tools you need to efficiently and effectively prepare grant proposals to seek funding for non-profit organizations. 

Outcome

The student will know how to:

• Understand the non-profit organization`s funding requirements
• Prepare and send out grant proposals and letters of inquiry
• Research prospective funding sources
• Contact and follow-up with funding sources 
• Maintain proper record of contacts for future needs
  

Assessment

The student will be asked to do the actual writing and research throughout the class. If the student does not currently work with a real organization they will be asked to create a fictional one to use for the exercises. At the end of the class the student should be prepared to actually mail out letters of inquiry and grant proposals.

Outline

Week 1:  Preparation and Organization

Student self-evaluation to understand personal motivation and relationship to the grant seeking organization. There are differences in being a freelancer or being a part of an organization.

The Organization

Looking at the organizational structure, the financial situation of the organization and the specific needs that will be addressed in the grant proposal. It is vital to the success of your grant proposal that you understand the larger organizational picture as well as the details of the project requiring funding.

Week 2: The Grant Proposal and Letter of Inquiry

Depending on the size of the organization, division, department or project, preparing the grant proposal and letter of inquiry can be a daunting task! Cooperation and understanding are essential skills in successfully negotiating the steps from initial draft to final product, especially when customized versions are required.

The Packet

There is more to send to potential funders than just the grant proposal! Supporting documentation, pamphlets, brochures, requested information for customized applications, there is an art to deciding what is enough, but not too much, to send in your packet.


Week 3: The Funders Research

• What you will need to know for your research.
• Where to go for information on Funders.
• How to screen that information to create your list of potential Funders to contact.
• Why this research is the most important part of the entire grant approval process.
• Contact and information gathering telephone calls
• Culling the list after receiving applications from Funders.
• Creating your tracking system; There is an art to contacting the Funders from the initial request for an application or more information until the mailing of the proposal packet.

Week 4: Putting it all Together Mailing

Organization and presentation are important in any company mailing, with grant proposals and letters of inquiry they are essential. From mail merging your tracking system information into your letters for personalization to dropping the envelopes into the mailbox, every step in a successful mailing project is covered.

Now What? -- What to do once the envelopes are sent out and the waiting has begun.