Basic Grant Writing
Presented over six sessions, Basic Grant Writing introduces participants to the real-world, proactive approach to grant writing. Professional grant writer Dr. Erin E. Portland will guide participants through the grant writing process from her unique and seasoned perspective as a writer and grant reviewer. Basic Grant Writing is a precursor to Intermediate Grant Writing.
Course Level: Beginner
Who this course is for:
- Members of nonprofit or other types of community serving organizations and individuals interested in learning the proactive approach to grants and the grant writing process
- Members of nonprofit or other types of community serving organizations and individuals interested in learning grant writing fundamentals in order to participate in Grant Writing.
As a result of this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify and understand misconceptions about grants and the grant writing process
- Define a grant and other common terms and acronyms, like RFP, RFA and UGG
- Identify the steps necessary to become "grant ready"
- Identify the basic components of grant applications
- Find grants
- Analyze programs and announcements to determine whether or not the grant is a good match
- Identify the elements of compelling Letters of Inquiry, Letters of Intent, support letters, and other grant funder communications
- Prepare for an engage in post-grant award best-practices
Session Titles:
- Grant Writing Myths and Terminology
- Organizational Grant Readiness
- Basic Grant Application Components
- Researching Grants
- Letters of Inquiry, Letters of Intent, & Other Funder Communications
- Post-Award Best Practices
Each session will include presentations, discussion, real-world examples, "stories from the field," practical strategies, tips, resources and supplemental materials.
Delivery: Online instructor-led videoconferencing via Zoom
Dates: TBD
Days and Times: TBD
Registration Deadline: TBD
Investment: TBD
To be notified when enrollment opens or obtain more information, please complete this form.
Discounted rates are available for Penn State alumni, staff, and faculty and for members of the Consortium of Co-Op Employers, Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, and Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce. Contact [email protected] for discount codes.
Intermediate Grant Writing
Expertise matters, and grant writing skills are more important than ever! Whether you're an individual wanting to explore the world of grant writing or a member of an organization seeking funding, grant writing courses will help you gain knowledge of the fundamentals.
Course Overview
Presented over six sessions, Intermediate Grant Writing is a follow-up course to Grant Writing Fundamentals. This intermediate-level course goes beyond exploring grant writing basics. The course instructs participants in the application of the proactive approach to grant writing while practicing proposal development activities. The course is designed to deepen participants' knowledge of the real-world, proactive approach to grant writing. Professional grant writer Erin E. Portland, Ed.D., will guide participants through the grant writing process from her unique and seasoned perspective as a grant writer and reviewer.
Course Details
Each session will include presentations, discussion, real-world examples, "stories from the field," practical strategies, tips, resources and supplemental materials (supplemental materials are to be provided to each participant in an electronic format [PDF] via email prior to each session).
- Session 1: Grant Writing Fundamentals Refresher
- Session 2: Preparing Your Proposal Summary and Organizational Narrative
- Session 3: Preparing Your Purpose and Need Statements
- Session 4: Designing Basic Evaluation Plans (Non-Scientific) and Effective Timelines
- Session 5: Preparing a Basic Budget and Other Required Attachments (e.g. Proposal Abstract, Cover Letters, Support Letters, etc.)
- Session 6: Grant Application Submission and Post-Award Best Practices
Course Level: Intermediate
Who should attend
- Members of nonprofit or other types of community serving organizations (e.g. human service, social service, healthcare) and individuals with basic grant writing experience interested in enhancing grant writing skills
- Members of nonprofit or other types of community serving organizations interested in pursuing future advance level courses
- Any individual (e.g. organization volunteers, board members, community advocates) with basic grant writing experience seeking to refresh or enhance their grant writing skills
As a result of the course, participants will be able to:
- Apply the proactive approach to grant writing using a basic proposal outline
- Prepare basic grant application content for their organization
- Gain a fundamental understanding of a typical competitive grant review process
- Identify and implement grant writing best-practices
Prerequisites/other participant requirements
Completion of the Grant Writing Fundamentals course or other similar courses, or basic level grant writing knowledge gained through other types of experiences.
Schedule and registration
Registration details coming soon!
To be notified when enrollment opens or obtain more information, please complete this form.
Instructed by Erin E. Portland, Ed.D.
Erin E. Portland, Ed.D. is a skilled grant writer with over 20 years experience. Dr. Portland is a grant writer with the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit and Schuylkill Technology Centers and is the owner of Schuylkill GrantWorks, LLC.
During her career, Dr. Portland successfully secured over 18 million dollars in competitive grant awards. Dr. Portland has experience in developing successful federal and state governmental competitive grant applications. She has facilitated grant applications that resulted in funding awards from several national charitable foundations. Having previously worked in one of the executive offices under the jurisdiction of the governor, Dr. Portland has the experience of being a grant reviewer within state government.
She is a graduate of Penn State University with a Master’s of Public Administration and Immaculata University with a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration. Dr. Portland is also a member of the Grant Professionals Association. When she is not grant writing, Dr. Portland enjoys spending time with her family fossil hunting, hiking nature trails, and touring historical sites.
