(Online) Essentials of Grant Writing
You have a lot on your plate. Between annual appeals, communications, virtual event planning and fundraising, you’re overwhelmed. And now you’ve been tasked with writing a grant and you don’t know where to start. Our online grant writing program can help!
This interactive online professional development program will teach you the basics of seeing a grant through a full cycle—from inception to completion. You’ll learn how to get your organization ready to apply for grants, where to find funders and funding opportunities, how to write the components of a grant and how to submit a successful application that has all the information funders want to see.
Using case studies, this program will focus on real-world grant applications. Comprehensive checklists and worksheets will guide you through every step of planning, researching, applying to and managing a grant—without missing a thing! You’ll also develop language specific to your organization that answers common grant questions.
The only thing you won’t learn in this program is how to celebrate securing a grant proposal. We figure you’ve got that one covered. 🙂
DATES & TIMES
Fridays, 9:00 a.m.–noon
January 29, February 5, 12, 19, 26
Pre-class work will be sent a week before the class starts.
Register here.
MODALITY
This dynamic program will be offered synchronously via Zoom—you’ll need access to a stable internet connection. There will be assignments between classes (as well as time during sessions to work on your proposals). Breakout sessions with other participants as well as one on one time with the instructor are built into the program.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
This online grant writing certificate program is intensive, active and results-driven. You will learn how to:
- Identify funding sources
- Write and present persuasive grants that inspire funders
- Produce high-quality grant proposals
- Increase your knowledge of the development field
- Manage a grant
- Nurture a relationship with funders
By the end of the program, you will have developed text specific to your organization that can be used in any grant application, a list of resources and concrete next steps to move forward in the grant process, and 1:1 guidance from the instructor on the grant topics most relevant to you.
TOPICS COVERED
WEEK ONE: THE BASICS
- Grant myths, misconceptions and pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
- Components of a grant
- Understanding the different kinds of grants and funders
- RFPs
- Your responsibilities as a grant writer
WEEK TWO: PLANNING & RESEARCH
- Looking critically at your capacity
- The “grant-ready” checklist
- Determining your funding priorities
- Developing your ideas
- Using online resources to find opportunities
- Profiles of grantmakers
- Vetting funding opportunities as a team
- Developing relationships with funders
WEEK THREE: APPLYING FOR GRANTS
- Developing your proposal
- Gathering data and documentation
- Components of the narrative
- How to organize information
- Writing style
- Creating a budget
- Attachments
WEEK FOUR: MANAGING GRANTS & DEVELOPING YOUR SKILLS
- Application follow up
- Managing a grant
- Completing reports
- Nurturing relationships
- Difficult situations in grant writing
WEEK FIVE: PRACTICING YOUR GRANT WRITING SKILLS
- 1:1 feedback with program instructor
- Sharing your common application questions for feedback
WHO SHOULD ENROLL
This program is designed to benefit people across the grant-writing spectrum, including those new to the genre, those in the midst of writing grants and successful grant writers who are looking to refine their skills and gain new insights, particularly:
- Administrators
- Artists
- Aspiring freelance grant writers
- Board members
- Educators
- Executive Directors
- Nonprofit workers
- Researchers
INSTRUCTOR
Elizabeth Haffey is a Maine-based professional grant writer. Through her business, E. Haffey Grant Consulting, she helps clients develop and write proposals, researches opportunities, and trains staff and volunteers to apply for grants. Haffey received her Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University and is currently working on her Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Southern Maine.
PROGRAM FEE
$850
Need-based scholarships are available for people who live or work in Knox or Waldo County who plan to use the skills gained in the course to benefit their community. More information about need-based scholarships is here.
Current UMaine students are eligible for a 20% discount. Use code STUDENT20 at checkout.
CLASS CAPACITY
15 Participants
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS
- 3.0 CEUs/30 contact hours
- Certificate of completion
For more information or to request an accommodation contact Michelle Patten, Conference and Professional Development Coordinator, um.fhc.pd@maine.edu; 207.338.8002.
