Grant Writing Essentials
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You have a lot on your plate. Between annual appeals, communications, virtual event planning, and fundraising, you’re overwhelmed. And now you’ve been tasked with writing a grant, and you don’t know where to start. Our online grant writing program can help!
This interactive online professional development program will teach you the basics of seeing a grant through a full cycle—from inception to completion. You’ll learn how to get your organization ready to apply for grants, where to find funders and funding opportunities, how to write the components of a grant, and how to submit a successful application that has all the information funders want to see.
Using case studies, this program will focus on real-world grant applications. Comprehensive checklists and worksheets will guide you through every step of planning, researching, applying to, and managing a grant—without missing a thing! You’ll also develop language specific to your organization that answers common grant questions.
The only thing you won’t learn in this program is how to celebrate securing a grant proposal. We figure you’ve got that one covered.
Testimonials
Hear what previous attendees have to say about their experience.
About Grant Writing Essentials
This online grant writing certificate program is intensive, active, and results-driven. You will learn how to:
- Identify funding sources
- Write and present persuasive grants that inspire funders
- Produce high-quality grant proposals
- Increase your knowledge of the development field
- Manage a grant
- Nurture a relationship with funders
By the end of the program, you will have developed text specific to your organization that can be used in any grant application, a list of resources and concrete next steps to move forward in the grant process, and 1:1 guidance from the instructor on the grant topics most relevant to you.
In addition, you’ll get an invitation to a private Facebook group, where fellow alums of the grant writing program can support each other, share opportunities and resources, network, etc.
Week 1: The Basics
- Grant myths, misconceptions, and pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
- Components of a grant
- Understanding the different kinds of grants and funders
- RFPs
- Your responsibilities as a grant writer
Week 2: Planning & Research
- Looking critically at your capacity
- The “grant-ready” checklist
- Determining your funding priorities
- Developing your ideas
- Using online resources to find opportunities
- Profiles of grantmakers
- Vetting funding opportunities as a team
- Developing relationships with funders
Week 3: Applying for Grants
- Developing your proposal
- Gathering data and documentation
- Components of the narrative
- How to organize information
- Writing style
- Creating a budget
- Attachments
Week 4: Managing Grants & Developing Your Skills
- Application follow-up
- Managing a grant
- Completing reports
- Nurturing relationships
- Difficult situations in grant writing
Week 5: Practicing Your Grant Writing Skills
- Sharing your common application questions for feedback
- 1:1 feedback with program instructor
This program is designed to benefit people across the grant-writing spectrum, including those new to the genre, those in the midst of writing grants, and successful grant writers who are looking to refine their skills and gain new insights, particularly:
- Administrators
- Art organizations
- Aspiring freelance grant writers
- Board members
- Educators
- Executive Directors
- Nonprofit workers
- Researchers
Elizabeth Haffey
E. Haffey Grant Consulting Founder & Professional Grant Writer
Graduates of the program have the opportunity to register for Grant Writing 1:1 Help Sessions with instructor Elizabeth Haffey.
These personalized mentoring and consulting sessions are designed to provide you with the customized guidance you need to excel in the competitive world of grant writing.
- Modality: Online
- Fee: $300 for 2 hours
Microcredential Pathway
1:1 sessions may be helpful to participants completing the UMS Grant Writing Microcredential Pathway, Level 3.
Program Details
Pre-class work will be sent a week before the program starts.
Dates & Times
- October 20 & 27, November 3, 10, & 17, 2026
- 9:00 a.m.–noon
Modality
This dynamic program will be offered synchronously via Zoom—you’ll need access to a stable internet connection. There will be assignments between classes (as well as time during sessions to work on your proposals). Breakout sessions with other participants as well as one-on-one time with the instructor are built into the program.
We recommend becoming familiar with Zoom before the program begins, as tutorials are not included in our programs. You can find tutorials and other information about using Zoom at support.zoom.com.
$895
14 participants
Certificates
Certificates of Completion are available upon request.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
30 contact hours / 3 CEUs available.
If you’d like to receive CEUs for participating in this course, please note this during your registration.
Microcredential Pathway
Successful completion of this course satisfies the learning requirements for the University of Maine System Grant Writing Microcredential Pathway, Levels 1 & 2.
UMaine Professional and Continuing Education is committed to providing access to our services and programs for people with disabilities. If you need accommodation(s) to attend and/or participate in a program, please contact us.
Other Programs You May Enjoy
Request a custom program
Every organization faces different challenges, goals, and opportunities. And unique needs sometimes require a customized professional development program.
UMaine Professional and Continuing Education can help you find and develop a program tailored to your employees, team members, or organization.
Ready to create a program workshop for your team? Submit a custom program request form and get started today.
