Professional Grant Writing

Ready to develop the skills and strategies you need to become an integral part of one of the world's fastest-growing professional certification sectors—grant writing? In the Professional Grant Writing course, you will further the ideals and goals of your career track by learning about the required competencies that can lead to an internationally recognized certification by one of the leading grant professional associations. Did you know that there's more to writing grants than finding funding and writing grant proposals? Grant professionals must also learn how to delve into supporting organizational development for grant applicants, coach them in communicating with potential funders, assist with internal and external collaborations with a successful mix of partners, and magically spin-out program design language.

In this course, you will become proficient in the proposal and case statement formats used by foundations and government grantmaking agencies. Throughout the course, you will learn about the certification process for grant professionals and write different elements of a complete grant application, culminating in a case statement for your capstone assignment with expert instructor feedback on each element. From grant funding trends to matching your course project to the right funding sources, you will be confident in differentiating yourself from a grant writer to a grant professional!

This grant writing training will also prepare you for the Grant Professional Certified (GPC) exam offered by the Grant Professionals Certification Institute (GPCI), which has minimum requirements of education and grant experience based on the level of education obtained. This course offers enrollment with or without a voucher. The voucher covers the fee to sit for the GPC exam upon eligibility, and includes a one-year professional membership to the Grant Professionals Association (GPA).

This course has been accepted in GPCI's (Grant Professionals Certification Institute) Accepted Education Program.

What you will learn

• How a certification enhances professionalism and opportunities for grant writers
• The skills needed to be a professional grant writer
• Ways current trends can impact the distribution of funds in the private and public sectors
• How to match grant funders and fundable programs
• Organizational missions, cultures, and norms, and how they impact grant readiness
• Best practices to create a logic model showing interrelationships among elements of project design
• An evaluation plan using community resources and cultural competencies
• Prepare a grant budget with appropriate costs, cash, in-kind or leveraged matches
• Describe the grant writer's role in post-award grant management and transition

How you will benefit

• Communicate effectively with grant funders for relationship cultivation
• Submit a grant proposal
• Write a persuasive case statement
• Use a professional code of ethics to guide decisions and conduct
• Qualify for a free one-year GPCI (Grant Professional Certification Institute) professional membership

1. Why Get a Grant Writing Certification
2. Being Confident in Your Grant Writing Skills
3. Grant Funding Trends
4. Grant Funding Resources and Best Matches for Programs and Projects
5. Establishing Initial and Ongoing Relationships with Funders
6. Relationship Between Organizational Development and Grant Seeking Readiness
7. Proposal Writing Preparation
8. Proposal Writing Research, Implementation Strategies, Writing Characteristics, and Incorporating Graphics
9. Writing the Boilerplate for the Grant Applicant Organization
10. Diving Deep Into Organizational Development Strategies and Funding Needs
11. Midterm Exam and Writing Prompt Response
12. Stakeholders, Partnerships, and Key Personnel Collaborations and Communications
13. Effective Program and Project Design and Development Strategies
14. Community Resources, Evaluation Designs, and Cultural Competencies
15. Proposal Budgets
16. Grant Proposal Submission Processes and Follow-up for Unfunded Submissions
17. Funded Grant Requests
18. Writing an Effective Case Statement for Fundraising Purposes
19. Capstone Assignment: Case Statement
20. Deciding to Move Forward with Certification
21. Employability Ethics
22. Bonus Lesson: Interview Pregame
23. Final Exam

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 10 or later.
• Mac: macOS 12 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Microsoft Excel (not included)
• Microsoft Word Online
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Prerequisites:

This course is intended for anyone with prior grant writing experience who is interested in enhancing their professional grant writing abilities. You will need an internet connection, be familiar with using the internet, have emailing capabilities, and have experience using a word-processing computer program (Microsoft Word is recommended) and a spreadsheet program (such as Microsoft Excel) for the budgeting portion.

Certification Requirements:

It is also aligned with the Grant Professional Certified (GPC) exam offered by the Grant Professionals Certification Institute (GPCI), which has minimum requirements of education and grant experience based on the level of education obtained. Completion of this course is applicable for 90 GPCI Education points towards acquiring or in maintaining the GPC certification. For information on GPC Exam Eligibility

Dr. Beverly A. Browning

Dr. Beverly A. Browning is a grant writing consultant and visionary who uses thought leadership to work with nonprofit organizations struggling with the woes of revenue stream imbalances. She has been researching grant funding, grantmaking trends, and board-related barriers to nonprofit capacity building for over 40 years. Together she and her team have helped her clients win over $750 million in grant awards. Dr. Browning is the founder and director of the Grant Writing Training Foundation and Bev Browning, LLC. She is the author of 44 grant writing publications, including six editions of Grant Writing for Dummies and the 6th edition of Nonprofit Kit for Dummies (to be published in 2021). Dr. Browning holds graduate and post-graduate degrees in organizational development, public administration, and business administration. She is also a Certified Strategic Planning Facilitator (CSPF), has a McNellis Compression Planning Institute Facilitation Training distinction, and is an Approved Trainer for the Grant Professionals Association (GPA), the Certified Fund Raising Executive International (CFRE, and the Grant Professionals Certification Institute (GPCI).

What is the average grant writer salary?

According to the Grant Professionals Association's 2024 Compensation Survey, the typical grant professional earns a mean salary of $83,911 or a median of $77,672.

What does a grant writer do?

Grant writers are responsible for researching, drafting, and submitting proposals to help organizations or individuals receive funding through grants. They craft proposals that seek funds from donors and play a crucial role in securing funding to support their non-profit organization and its mission. The grant writer's job involves thorough research of grants and developing compelling grant applications to the funders.

Does this course prepare you for a certification?

Yes, you will be prepared for the Grant Professional Certified (GPC) exam offered by the Grant Professionals Certification Institute (GPCI), which has minimum education and grant experience requirements based on the level of education obtained. Completion of this course is applicable for 90 GPCI Education points towards acquiring or in maintaining the GPC certification. For information on GPC Exam Eligibility

When can I start this course?

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course whenever you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

How long does it take to complete this course?

After you register, you will receive 6 months to complete the course. The time allotted for completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours.

What if I don't have enough time to complete the course within the time frame provided?

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

What kind of support will I receive?

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

What happens when I complete the course?

Upon successfully passing the final exam, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from the school or organization that you registered through.

Am I guaranteed a job?

Hope Training Academy courses will help you gain the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. However, you should always research the job market in your area before enrolling.

Can I get financial assistance?

Hope Training Academy courses are non-credit, so they do not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA, and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards may provide funding to take our courses. Additionally, you may qualify for financial assistance if you meet certain requirements. Learn more about financial assistance.

How can I get more information about this course?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available by phone. You can also call us at 1-855-532-7642 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us."

This was a great experience and very easy to navigate.

Thank you for all of your very helpful assistance, guidance, and instructions over the period that I took the course. It is an immensely informative course. I just joined the GPA and will gather all the materials for the eligibility packet to take the test. I truly appreciate your help and just wanted you to know that.

Greetings! I just received my certificate and wanted to thank you for a well-designed and informative class! I learned so much and am excited to carry forward everything that I've learned.