Course Description:
This project-based course covers the complete process of grant proposal development: identification of an achievable and fundable project, research and assessment of viable funding sources, funder relations, proposal writing, budget development, preparation of a full proposal package for submission, and post-award or rejection follow-up with funders. Participants will gain an understanding of the nonprofit philanthropic environment and become familiar with tools and resources available to assist them as they seek funds for their projects, institutions, or causes.
Prerequisites: Participants must have completed the first course – Foundation Course in Grant Writing, a specific project or a fairly well-developed idea that they build upon as the basis for their coursework and final grant proposal. This project or idea cannot be for a for-profit business. Solid writing skills and experience or coursework in nonprofit sector/management highly recommended. (4 credits)
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Course Methodology and Objectives:
This course is the second component in the three (3) part Grant Writing/Donor Grants Funding and Project Proposal Writing course. The course seeks to improve writing and research skills within the context of a broader understanding of the grantseeking and philanthropic world. On a practical level, it emphasizes reader-based prose, revising skills, and the “Five C’s” of effective writing, and reinforces these qualities through in-class peer review. On a more theoretical level, the class discusses several philanthropic case studies in order to illuminate strategic questions involved in developing projects and writing grant proposals. Likewise, the course focuses not only on the practical structure of proposals, but also on theory of change methodology and issues such as project sustainability and evaluation.
Upon completion of the course, participants will have had the opportunity to:
- Approach grantseeking, proposal writing, and fundraising positively and confidently;
- Identify and approach funding sources;
- Draft a letter of inquiry and effective emails;
- Produce a proposal with introduction, problem statement, objectives, project description,
evaluation plan, and budget.
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Readings, Resources, and Expectations:
- Ellen Karsh and Arlen Sue Fox, The Only Grant-Writing Book You’ll Ever Need. Fourth Edition, Basic Books. ISBN- 978-0-465-05893-8
- Articles, Websites, Reports, and Case Studies
- Foundation Center Directory Online
- Participants must actively participate in class discussions.
- Assignments must be turned in on time (just as with funders’ deadlines). All posted deadline dates and times are according to the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
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Course Grading and Participation:
Participants are expected to complete all course requirements as follows:
| • | Introductory Essay | 5% | • | Letter of Inquiry | 20% |
| • | Preliminary Project Description | 5% | • | Grant Proposal | 25% |
| • | Prospect Research Report | 15% | • | Participation | 30% |
| A | 94-100 | B– | 80-83 | D+ | 67-69 | ||||
| A– | 90-93 | C+ | 77-79 | D | 64-66 | ||||
| B+ | 87-89 | C | 74-76 | D– | 61-63 | ||||
| B | 84-86 | C– | 70-73 | E | 0-60 |
IMPORTANT: This course has an enrollment limit and usually has a wait list. During the registration period, online attendance is required in order to remain in the course or be admitted into it. Therefore, if you are registered or are on the wait list, you must participate in the first week of class, which means you must introduce yourself in the Week 1 Gathering Discussion Forum, which is accessible via the course’s site. If you do not attend/participate in this way, you will be dropped from the course.
COURSE SCHEDULE:
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Introduction Week #1: November 2- 7, 2020
- Lecture: Definitions and Terminologies
- Lecture: Readings
- Discussion: Introductions
Assignments due in Weeks 1-2:
- Appendices 1-3, Lessons 1-4
- Introductory Essay
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Components of the Project Proposal Week #2: November 9-14, 2020
- Lecture: Specific Components
- Lecture: Generic Components
- Discussion: What Does a Successful Grant Proposal Look Like?
Assignments due in Week 3:
- Lessons 5-7
- Draft Preliminary Project Description (PPD)
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Critical Components to Focus on Week #3: November 16-21, 2020
- Lecture: The Proposal Process and LOIs
- Situation Analysis: “Your One Project”
Assignments due in Week 4:
- Group Work: “Your One Project”
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Critical Component – Letter of Inquiry Week #4: November 23-28, 2020
Peer Review Discussion: Letters of Inquiry
Assignments due in Week 4:
- Final LOI
- Case Study: “Your One Project”