Grants are a staple of the nonprofit world—in spite of everything, a good grant proposal offers you the chance to usher in critical money from respected funders. So if you wish to be taught the language of grant writing, then investing in grant writing programs is a no brainer!
Questioning easy methods to discover the most effective grant writing programs?
Try our useful information, full with suggestions from the consultants on easy methods to apply what you be taught in your programs! Plus, we’ve acquired a listing of our 15 favourite choices—together with 4 of the most effective free on-line grant writing programs on the market.
What’s a Grant?
A grant is a monetary award that’s given to a person or group to assist fund a particular aim. Grants could be awarded by the federal government, a basis or a non-public firm—and are given with zero expectation for it to be paid again! Usually, they’re used to both assist operations or fund a particular undertaking.
Step one in grant writing is placing collectively a grant proposal. That is the doc the place you introduce the funding physique’s jurors to your group, pitch your undertaking and clarify the way you’d use the grant to realize your objectives.
Whereas the time period “grant writing” is often used, it’s really a little bit of a misnomer! The proposal is what you write, and the grant is the award you really obtain.
How You Can Profit From Grants
Researching granting our bodies and writing out proposals may appear to be a number of work, however it’s effectively price doing!
Nonprofit grants might help you:
- Begin your nonprofit. Whenever you’re simply beginning a nonprofit, it pays to have some funding behind you. 30% of nonprofits find yourself shutting down after 10 years—successful grants early can cowl these start-up prices, and allow you to bounce into the trade on secure footing.
- Advance your mission. With a view to advance your mission, you’re going to want to spend money on program and operations prices, membership administration software program and extra. Grants cowl the prices of assembly your objectives and supporting your beneficiaries.
- Broaden your sources of income. Having various income streams retains your nonprofit operating even if you happen to lose members or don’t attain your fundraising objectives. Grants convey you one stream nearer to monetary stability!
- Launch new initiatives or initiatives. Together with common working grants, there are TONS of project-specific grants on the market so that you can discover. With the best grant, you may cowl the bills required to make your latest initiative doable—with out dipping into the coffers.
Whether or not you’re simply beginning a nonprofit or seeking to advance your mission, automation might help you scale up sooner. When you’re on the lookout for software program to assist hold you organized, attempt a 60-day free trial of WildApricot.
How You Can Profit From Grant Writing Programs
So now you recognize why grant writing is useful—right here’s what the most effective grant writing programs can do for you:
- Discover ways to analysis and discover grant alternatives. Realizing the place to seek out related and invaluable grants is simply as essential as figuring out easy methods to write them!
- Enhance your writing abilities. When you don’t need to rent a grant author, grant writing programs can certify you for the job. Not solely can you employ these abilities in your nonprofit—you may also receives a commission as a grant author for different organizations.
- Perceive what funders search for. An enormous a part of grant writing is studying the language. An important grant writing course will train you what’s going to impress funders and herald that non-dues income.
- Write compelling cowl letters. There will probably be a number of candidates getting in for a similar grant as you! A compelling cowl letter is what’ll make you actually stand out from the remaining.
- Successfully establish issues and strategize options. Typically the work of grant writing can spotlight gaps in your proposal. A course gives you tips about managing these moments and tightening issues up with out an excessive amount of fuss.
- Discover ways to create SMART objectives. Ah, who doesn’t love SMART Targets? When you may perceive the framework, grant writing programs can present you easy methods to apply it. For instance, you may be taught what content material is definitely related to your grant proposal!
- Create a funds plan and narrative. Regardless of how nice your cowl letter is, your funds is what sells the way you’ll use the cash itself. It’s important to be taught what prices are affordable, applicable and related to your grant proposal.
- Meet grant deadlines. Deadlines sneak up on all of us! With grant writing programs and a little bit of apply, you may be taught to handle your time and write proposals with out speeding.
How A lot Do Grant Writing Programs Price?
Whenever you’re beginning a nonprofit with no cash, you need to ensure that each single funding is price it. Fortunately, there are many free on-line grant writing programs that cowl the need-to-knows of successful grants.
Paid programs typically price wherever from $100-$500 {dollars}, although you’ll find some within the $20-$50 vary right here and there. (We’ve acquired an incredible checklist beneath!)
Grant writing certifications, which construct your credibility as knowledgeable grant author, sometimes price nearer to $500-$2000 to obtain. Is a grant writing certificates price it? In the USA, the typical wage for grant writers is round $50k—so we’d say you can also make that funding again fairly rapidly!
10 Ideas for Methods to Write Grants—From Actual Grant Writers!
If you wish to discover ways to write grant proposals, the most effective factor you are able to do is seek the advice of individuals who’ve received grants!
Listed here are some phrases of knowledge from a nonprofit fundraiser, an government director and a artistic author who received a grant for a solo undertaking:
1. Communicate to others who’ve written grants
Connecting with individuals who have expertise writing and successful grants may give you an thought of in case your undertaking is an efficient match. They will information you thru the method, set expectations and enable you keep away from widespread pitfalls.
Avi Silver, who received a Canada Council for the Arts Council New Creations grant in 2021, says:
“How did I be taught to put in writing a grant? I requested! I linked with associates and colleagues who beforehand acquired grants (and even labored as jurors in earlier years!), and their perception was invaluable. I received a 25k grant on my first attempt!”
2. Search for examples and steerage
Take Avi’s recommendation from above and apply it right here as effectively—if you recognize previous grant winners, ask them if you happen to can try their previous proposals. Relying on the kind of grant you’re making use of for, there are sometimes helps out there from the granting our bodies themselves.
These organizations need to offer individuals cash. It’s not dishonest to ask questions that may assist your utility be stronger!
3. Give your self loads of time
Your proposal goes to take a couple of drafts to get proper. Find time for revisions and suggestions from others, in addition to the area it’s essential simply suppose issues via. With time and apply, grant writing will change into simpler and really feel extra formulaic!
Take some recommendation from this nice interview with Stachen Frederick, Govt Director of Frontlines:
“One of many issues I inform individuals is to be taught the widespread parts of a grant. When you’ve got a undertaking thought, put your undertaking thought and your framework below these widespread parts. When grants come up, it’ll be simple to repeat and paste [certain common elements]. I’ve written a grant in a single night time as a result of I already know what funders are going to ask.”
4. Learn the rules & be taught in regards to the granting physique!
The quickest method to lose a grant is to disregard the rules. Ensure you really qualify for the grant in query, and do a little analysis on if the group you’re approaching is an efficient match with your individual nonprofit.
Rebecca Simkin labored as a fundraiser for twenty-six years, efficiently successful quite a few grants from charitable foundations and governmental packages. Earlier than retiring, she spent 13 years fundraising for Evergreen Hospice in Markham.
She suggests: “Don’t overlook to do your analysis and be sure that your letter is addressed by title, to somebody on the granting group, ideally the chairperson or secretary.”
5. Focus in your mission, imaginative and prescient and objectives
You based your group based mostly on a mission and set of values. Let these be the framework of your grant writing. In some ways, writing a grant proposal is just like turning a supporter right into a member!
“Actually present the granting our bodies why funding you is price it! Honing in on the center of your group—or in my case,the undertaking—not solely reaches the jurors, however it might additionally hold you targeted on what you actually need.” – Avi Silver
“Additionally I’d recommend if you happen to get a rejection, apply once more in a number of successive years. The individuals reviewing the functions get to know your group and see that you simply’re critical.” – Rebecca Simkin
6. Differentiate your self and inform a compelling story
Whereas writing grants is completely different from writing fiction, everybody loves an excellent story. Get the jurors invested in your group’s story—that’ll encourage them to need to be part of its blissful ending.
“One of many issues I’d say as effectively is that individuals don’t suppose lots about how they stand out.
After I take into consideration BrAIDS for AIDS, for instance, I may confidently say there’s no group on the planet using hair as a instrument for HIV engagement.
So when I’ve funders ask me why they need to give me funding when there are different Black-led organizations doing HIV and AIDS work, we will say we now have a very completely different demographic as a result of we’re targeted on people who find themselves into glam—they need to get their hair completed and whatnot. And we introduce the HIV, AIDS, and sexual well being items inside that.
So ask your self: How are you distinctive? How are you completely different? That’s one thing that it’s important to put ahead in your worth proposition.”
– Stachen Frederick
7. Write clearly, merely and immediately
Don’t make issues overly difficult! The parents who work for granting our bodies are going to learn via a number of functions—getting proper to the purpose will save them time and assist them focus.
“I’ve at all times tried to assist others perceive that grant writing is a human interplay. Sure, you’re writing a doc, however this reaches an individual on the opposite facet of the desk.
What I do after I train is ask: if any person knocked at your door and requested you for $1,000, what questions are you going to ask this individual?
Then consider that individual—who’s on the receiving finish of your grant utility—because the one asking these questions.”
– Stachen Frederick
8. Define an motion plan
Similar to a fundraising plan is important to reaching your objectives throughout a fundraising marketing campaign, an motion plan is what proves you need to use your grant successfully. This is a chance to construct some belief!
“I’d recommend that some content material exhibiting your group’s monitor report and a few numbers will present you’ve what it takes to perform this system’s goals, in addition to exhibiting how your group’s goals match and this system match.” – Rebecca Simkin
9. Create a practical funds
Whenever you put collectively your funds, be sure that the place the cash goes really is sensible! The thesis of your proposal isn’t “it is a good undertaking”, it’s “this undertaking will profit from being funded by this particular grant.”
“Some issues to contemplate when doing a funds: It’s legit to incorporate a portion of your group’s rental and administrative prices in addition to any promotional prices, printing for flyers and such, in addition to employee hours. Consider all the things you will want to make this system work, even snacks!” – Rebecca Simkin
10. Get suggestions
When you’ve written your grant proposal, join with these earlier winners once more. They might help you iron out any final minute kinks—and likewise construct up your confidence!
“I used to be fortunate sufficient to get suggestions from 4 completely different associates who had received grants, one in all which had received the identical grant I used to be making use of for! The suggestions they gave me wasn’t on the undertaking itself, however on how the proposal itself was structured and introduced. Grant writing actually is its personal medium, and suggestions from those that perceive it makes all of the distinction.” – Avi Silver
11. Proofread and have somebody evaluation
Proofread, proofread, proofread—after which ship it to another person to seek out any final tiny belongings you’ve missed! Test in along with your crew or board members for assist. Your secretary is used to cleansing up assembly minutes and being attentive to element, in order that they is perhaps an incredible individual to method.
The 15 Greatest Grant Writing Programs
Now that you know the way invaluable grant writing programs could be, you is perhaps questioning which of them to decide on. There are LOTS of choices on the market, so we’ve narrowed it right down to our 15 favorites.
The 4 finest free (on-line) grant writing programs
When you’re on a funds, taking free grant writing programs gives you the fundamental data you want with out going overboard!
Grant Writing Fundamentals for Novices: What You Should Know Earlier than You Begin Writing Grants
Skillshare is a web-based studying neighborhood based mostly in the USA for individuals who need to be taught from academic movies. Via a paid subscription, all programs can be found without cost. These programs aren’t accredited, however they enable you construct the abilities it’s essential attempt one thing new!
Teresa Huff’s Skillshare course is 50 minutes lengthy, and designed for individuals who have by no means written grants earlier than. She’s knowledgeable grant guide, and breaks the data down into 10 classes. And if you happen to like what you be taught, she additionally affords different grant writing webinars!
Worth: Free
Instrumentl
Instrumentl has an entire library of free grant writing programs, plus common dwell webinars! These webinars occur roughly on a weekly foundation, and include time for questions. When you take pleasure in working with them, you may also try their grant administration software program.
Worth: Free
Grant Writing and Crowdfunding for Public Libraries – College of Michigan
The College of Michigan permits you to audit this free grant writing course without cost, with the choice to pay $49 for a certificates. It’s self-paced, 4 weeks lengthy and about 2-3 hours per week of labor. Public libraries are vastly essential to native communities—if that’s your group, this isn’t a chance to cross up!
And if you happen to run a unique group that’s linked to literacy or neighborhood area, the audit may nonetheless be price it for you. There’s a number of overlap in grant writing abilities, and all data is nice data.
Worth: Free
Learngrantwriting.org
Learngrantwriting.org is a web site devoted to—you guessed it!—studying about grant writing. They’ve a number of programs, teaching alternatives and certifications, however if you happen to’re simply getting began, their free 7 step class is an effective way to go.
When you discover the course invaluable and need to be taught extra, they’ve an entire ebook devoted to turning into a grant writing grasp.
Worth: Free
The 4 finest reasonably priced grant writing programs
When you’re on the lookout for reasonably priced on-line grant writing programs, Udemy has ongoing gross sales which can be price making the most of. Just like Skillshare, Udemy has 210,000 on-line video programs about quite a lot of topics, plus new additions revealed each month. Plus, there’s a 30 day a reimbursement assure.
4 of our favorites are:
Grant Writing Grasp Class
Stephanie Tanner’s course is designed particularly for writing grants for nonprofit organizations. It has 9 classes and 27 lectures, and is simply over an hour in size. Plus, it comes with 11 articles to learn and 18 downloadable sources!
Lastly, you get a certification of completion to point out off your credentials.
Worth: $40, typically 50% off
Primary Grant Proposal Writing for Nonprofits
Ken Goldstein has over 15 years of expertise instructing grant writing proposals, and his course has been taken by over 1000 college students. It comes with 3 hours of on demand video, assignments to check your data and 15 downloadable sources.
This grant writing class additionally comes with a certificates of completion.
Worth: $90, has been as much as 78% off
Superior Grant Writing: Understanding What A Funder Needs
Professor James Smith Chairs various funding panels and is definitely liable for making grant funding choices! His course is about 3 hours lengthy, with 17 lectures, particular assignments and three downloadable sources.
Worth: $35, typically 43% off
Grant Writing: Keys to a Profitable Proposal
With almost 1500 scores with a mean rating of 4.4 / 5 stars, Richard Feenstra’s course is a star on Udemy. It’s a bit over 2 hours lengthy, has 3 downloadable sources and teaches you the abilities it’s essential conduct high quality web analysis on grants.
Worth: $140, has been 83% off
The three finest grant writing certifications
Is a grant writing certificates price it? When you’re on the lookout for easy methods to change into a grant author, or just easy methods to increase your credentials, we’d say sure!
Listed here are 3 of the most effective grant writing certifications:
Nonprofit Prepared
Nonprofit Prepared affords a free certificates program that can be utilized for CFRE Persevering with Training Credit. Its programs cowl all the grant cycle, so you will get all the things you want in a single simple place—with out ever spending a penny!
Worth: Free
Learngrantingwriting.org
Keep in mind Learngrantwriting.org? Not solely have they got free programs, however in addition they have paid certificates designed that will help you arrange a profession as a grant author. These certifications are on the pricier facet, but additionally include solo and group trainings, writing lessons and an entire community of grant writers to entry.
It’s marketed as being “cheaper than a graduate diploma and infinitely simpler”!
Worth: Fee plan of $500/mo. for 12 months OR $6000/12 months up entrance
AGWA Licensed Grant Author Sequence
The American Grant Writers Affiliation has a Licensed Grant Author Sequence that comes with:
- Program Growth and Proposal Writing (PDPW) On-line Course
- Licensed Grant Author® Overview On-line
- Licensed Grant Author® Examination On-line
- Annual Particular person Membership in American Grant Writers’ Affiliation
The credible affiliation has over 1200 lively members, and tons of sources if you happen to’re seeking to change into knowledgeable grant author.
Worth: $999.00 USD
The 4 finest on-line grant lessons
One of the best grant writing programs are ones that may be taken from the consolation of dwelling!
Our favorites are:
Nonprofit Prepared
Yup, these people once more! A free program that comes with a legit certificates that you may get completely on-line is simply too good to cross up. All you want is a Nonprofit Prepared account, and also you’re set to get began.
Worth: Free
Introduction to Grant Writing – College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
If you wish to take a web-based faculty course, the College of Wisconsin has open enrollment for his or her grant writing class. You don’t must be a pupil, however in case you are, passing efficiently may give you a credit score in direction of your Persevering with Training Certificates.
Worth: $150
AGWA: Grant Writing for Nonprofit Organizations for Basis and Company Grants
This on-line grant writing class from the American Grant Writers’ Affiliation is as thorough as they arrive. It covers researching grant alternatives, making ready a proposal and Letter of Inquiry (LOI), in addition to making ready budgets for Basis and Company Grants for undertaking/program assist.
It’s designed for workers, board members, and volunteers at charitable 501c3 Nonprofits Organizations and Personal Instructional Establishments. Usually, it takes as much as 30 days to finish.
Worth: $499
Grant Writing & Funding – Grant Writing Grasp Course
Grant Writing & Funding affords a grasp course in all the things grant writing associated! The category is taught by world-renowned grant writing skilled, Holly Rustick, who has secured thousands and thousands of {dollars} for nonprofit organizations around the globe.
It comes with 39 movies, 30 checklists and templates, pattern basis and federal grants, a grant writing certificates and extra!
Worth: $697
Methods to Write Grants that Shine
We hope this information has proven you why grants are such a key a part of non-dues income! With the assistance of the best grant writing programs, you may change into the skilled your group wants in your subsequent large undertaking to return to life.
