Grant Writing Workshops

Writing grants is one of the most essential skills in the community action space. Being able to write a clear, compelling grant application can be the difference between getting your initiative off the ground and getting stuck in development.

While you can learn a lot about grant writing through online guides and practice, founders tend to make the biggest leap through grant writing workshops where they can receive direct feedback from an experienced professional. To demystify the process of finding a good workshop, here is our breakdown of some of the most popular ones.

Free workshops

Free workshops are a great way to get started with writing grants. They allow newcomers to learn the basics and avoid the hefty price tag of most paid courses.

Nonprofit ready

Nonprofit Ready has a variety of workshops available, covering the basics of grant applications, finding government funding, and crafting a compelling proposal. Their resources are available online and come with the opportunity to secure a certification.

Instrumentl

Similarly, the website Instrumentl offers several free pre-recorded workshops geared towards new grant writers. These courses provide a helpful overview of topics like selecting funders, planning your goal timeline, and developing your grant prospects.

This is a particularly good place to start if you are looking for an introduction to the field but don’t want to commit to a single, long-term class or workshop yet.

Candid

Candid has a similar set of resources, including both free, prerecorded guides and live webinars. They offer grant-writing courses in addition to a broader spectrum of community action educational opportunities.

LinkedIn Learning 

LinkedIn Learning offers a free online grant-writing workshop that provides a basic overview of the grant-writing process. 

OWL

OWL runs an online course that introduces users to the world of grant writing. You can learn more about their backstory here.

Paid workshops

Paid workshops can be riskier and require careful evaluation, but tend to offer a deeper experience and may include the possibility of earning a certification.

Grant Writing USA

Grant Writing USA has a mixed catalogue of in-person and online courses for participants with a variety of backgrounds and skill levels.

Coursera

The online education company Coursera offers a range of different grant writing courses for learners of all skill levels and areas of interest.

Udemy

Udemy offers a broad range of paid courses, mostly under 20.00, for aspiring grant writers, ranging from beginner to advanced. 

Local colleges and universities

Another important avenue for in-person grant writing is local workshops. Many grant writers recommend checking out small colleges and universities for affordable but reputable options. 

Here in New York City, New York University and New York City College of Technology have workshops covering different aspects of grant writing. Doing research is a key component here. Look for workshops that meet your criteria in the following areas:

• Instructor Background - Look for an experienced grant writer who has a strong background in your field and a good reputation as an instructor (reviews and testimonials can be helpful here).
• Time Commitment - Seek out workshops that match the level of commitment you are looking for, whether that is a feedback-heavy, in-depth course or a more casual introduction to the subject.
• Cost - Consider cost in relation to what you are hoping to gain from a workshop. Once again, a more detailed course that offers a certification will be more costly than a one-off beginner’s class.
• Location - Convenience is a significant driver for action. You are much more likely to regularly attend a class that is fifteen minutes from your home than one that is an hour away. As mentioned above, you can search for grant-writing classes at your local libraries, colleges, and universities, or look to state nonprofit and community action groups, like this one, for grant-writing resources.

Getting started can be the hardest part in the community action space, but with these resources, you will learn how to take a pivotal step in the journey. Just remember to select the workshop that best suits your background, expertise, and needs. With grant funding, you can start making your community action a reality.

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Are you seeking funding for your community project and are currently ineligible for funding due to not having a 501(C)(3) status? Click here to learn more about other forms of funding that you should seek for your community effort.