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:
- GrantSpace, a free service of The Foundation center, offers information, training and resources to non-profits regarding finding funding and operating effective organizations.
- The Foundation Center also offers free information and training through its home page under Get Started.
Books:
- Deacon, Goodwin and Ken Ristine. Grantsmanship for the GENUS. Nashville, TN: CharityChannel Press, 2016 – Available on Amazon.com.
- Howlett, Susan and Renee Bourque. Getting Funded: the complete guide to writing grant proposals. 6th ed., completely rev. and updated. Seattle,WA: Word & Raby Pub., 2016.
Updated Resources and References
Available on Amazon.com or at SusanHowlett.com - 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.
The Foundation Center books are available in many libraries or can be purchased from the Foundation Center Marketplace.
Find books on writing style and effectiveness.
Classes and workshops:
- Check out the upcoming trainings and 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 501 Commons Featured Training & Networking Events and Washington Nonprofits’ Learning home page.
- 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. In addition to in-person workshops, The Foundation Center offers online training courses and webinars. 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 Member Network or contact PSGA office.)
- Many accredited local colleges and universities offer classes relevant to grantwriting. (The names of instructors are given if they are PSGA members. Current classes may or may not be taught by other instructors.)
- Edmonds Community College. ArtsNow/uLearn. Grantwriting for Nonprofits.
- Everett Community College. Nonprofit Management Certificate course.
- Evergreen College. Blended Online and Olympia: Intro to the Nonprofit Sector and Granwriting (taught by Allison Jones and Doreen Swetkis, fall quarter.)
- North Seattle College. Continuing education division. (See listings under “Writing and Publishing.”)
- Seattle Central College, Seattle and Online: Certificate in Grantwriting (taught by Allison Jones, Spark the Fire Grantwriting Classes, quarterly).
- University of Washington, Professional & Continuing Education. Certificate in Fundraising Management (taught by Susan Howlett and others).
- University of Washington Tacoma, Professional Development Center, Certificate in Fundraising Management.
- Western Washington University. Online: Certificate in Grantwriting (taught by Allison Jones, winter and spring quarters.)
- Some schools were not offering classes when PSGA last checked, but you may wish to verify:
- Shoreline Community College
- South Seattle 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.