Learning to Write Grants

There are many ways and places to learn to write grants, especially here in the Northwest. You can read material on websites, register for web courses, read books, or attend classes.

Websites and online training:

• The Foundation Center is the leading source of information about philanthropy. If you are new to the website, Get Started
• GrantSpace, a website of The Foundation Center, assists people searching for information regarding securing funding and for most nonprofit topics.
  

Books:

• Howlett, Susan and Renee Bourque.  Getting Funded: the complete guide to writing grant proposals.  5th ed., completely rev. and updated.  Seattle,WA: Word & Raby Pub., 2011.
  Updated Resources and References
  
• Clarke, Cheryl A.  Storytelling for grantseekers: a guide to creative nonprofit fundraising. 2nd ed.  San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2009.
• Geever, Jane C.  The Foundation Center’s guide to proposal writing.  6th ed.  New York: The Foundation Center, 2012.
• Margolin, Judith B.  Grantseeker’s guide to winning proposals.  New York: The Foundation Center, 2008.
  
• Payne, Mary Ann.  Grant writing demystified.  Dubuque, IA: McGraw-Hill, 2011.
• The Grantsmanship Center, "Program Planning and Proposal Writing"  (pamphlet)

The Foundation Center books are available in many libraries or can be purchased from the Foundation Center Marketplace. Condensed versions are available online for free for some publications.

For books on writing style and effectiveness, click here.

Classes and workshops:

• Check this page for training events offered by PSGA.
• For current listings of trainings and classes on grantwriting, fundraising and nonprofit topics from colleges, professional associations, consultants and others, monitor the Nonprofit Calendar of the Nonprofit & Philanthropy Resource Center.
• The Foundation Center and The Grantsmanship Center offer very good workshops that come to Washington several times a year. We know these two are high quality. Other organizations (both non-profit and for-profit) frequently offer training, but check out their credentials before signing up. (If you are a PSGA member, you may check with your colleagues through the PSGA Listserv or contact PSGA office.)
• Many accredited local colleges and universities offer classes relevant to grantwriting. The following schools are offering classes in 2012-13. (The names of instructors are given if they are PSGA members.)
  
• Bellevue College: Grantwriting and nonprofit management courses. (Click on "Nonprofit Management" from Business & Professional Development.)
• Edmonds Community College.  ArtsNow/uLearn. Grantwriting for Nonprofits (taught by Joyce Mork-O'Brien).
  
• Green River Community College: Several courses on grantwriting. (Click on "Writing" from Business & Professional Development.)
• Evergreen State College, Olympia: Grantwriting Essentials (taught by Sylvie Mcgee in the summer) and Grant Writing and Fundraising (taught by Don Chalmers from fall to spring).
• Seattle Central Community College.  Grant Writing Certificate Program (Search Continuing Education catalog with keyword Grantwriting).
• University of Washington, Professional & Continuing Education.  Certificate in Fundraising Management (taught by Susan Howlett, Renee Bourque, and others).
  
• University of Washington Tacoma, Professional Development Center, Certificate in Fundraising Management.
• Some schools may not be offering classes at this time, but you might check availability in the future:
• Highline Community College
• Shoreline Community College
• South Seattle Community College
• Other colleges: If you would like to find out about colleges outside the Puget Sound area, a list of colleges is available from Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
• If you are interested in taking classes in the future, you may be able to sign up for email alerts from each school.