Online Grant Writing Classes and Education

Online grant writing classes, which impart the information and training necessary to help almost any group or cause, are available from a number of institutions. Most of these courses are offered as non-credit, stand-alone continuing education classes. However, some schools offer online grant writing courses as part of a certificate program or as fulfillment of ongoing professional certification requirements.

Overview of Online Grant Writing Courses

Online grant writing courses teach the essential technical skills for preparing a professional, viable and persuasive grant proposal. These online courses reveal the proven step-by-step process for submitting a competitive grant proposal to a private, public or governmental donor. Classes offered include grant writing for non-profit organizations, academic research programs or Native American causes. Students interested in grant writing courses do it for a variety of reasons, such as seeking funds for a personal cause, as required professional development credit or as a precursor to starting a business as a grant writing consultant.

Course Requirements

Participants need access to the Internet and must be familiar with web browsers, such as Netscape, Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox, to access the online classroom, acquire the course materials and have direct interaction with fellow students. They may also be required to have specific computer software installed, such as Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash or Apple's QuickTime. Some courses require students to use Windows-based PC computers only.

List of Popular Online Grant Writing Courses

Basic Grant Writing Course

This beginning step-by-step course provides students with the basic skills needed to prepare a persuasive and professionally written grant proposal to benefit an organization, such as a non-profit school or religious institution. Students discover what makes a particular project attractive to a funding group, such as a corporate or governmental donor and how to create a compelling case. The course explores valuable ways to raise funding through carefully targeting, networking and developing partnerships with appropriate potential funding agencies.

Effective Grant Writing Course

This grant-writing course takes students through the process of submitting a viable grant proposal to a potential donor, which requires careful research, preparation and skillful writing. The course also examines common errors to avoid that often lead to a worthy proposal being rejected. To be an effective grant writer, students are instructed to be fully aware of the culture and background of the cause or project for which they are requesting financial help.

Advanced Grant Writing Course

Students in this course learn to delve deeper and gather germane information about their own organization's structure, administration and finances. The course explains how to use this information to create an effective cover letter and proposal narrative as well as provide the potential donor with useful background and financial needs information. Students also learn a variety of formatting techniques and buzzwords to include along with discovering which type of paper, font style and graphics work effectively.

Research Grant Proposal Writing Course

Participants in this course are guided through the basic steps of writing a successful research grant proposal through peer reviews and hands-on writing exercises. The course examines current trends and issues in the academic grant writing field as well as where to seek funding. Students benefit from direct access to experienced guest presenters, academicians and scientists from other educational institutions.

Native American Grant Writing Course

This course is specifically for tribal administrators, health and human services providers and educators interested in writing grant proposals that directly benefit Native American causes. Participants learn to employ library and online research avenues to develop objective action planning and community needs assessments to target private or public grant-making agencies.

Grant Writing Consultant Course

For individuals who already possess a firm understanding of successful grant writing, this advanced course explores the skills needed to be a professional in the grant-consulting industry. Students learn how to start a home-based business, find clients, set fees and decide what services to offer.