This course will acquaint students with the process of grant proposal planning and writing. Students will be introduced to the nonprofit sector, and plearn about funding sources, proposal research & making the case for support for their organization. The emphasis is on writing effective grant proposals.

This course focuses on developing the skills necessary to write successful grant applications for not-for-profit organizations. Study of relevant funding sources, awareness of available research materials, ability to construct coherent proposals, and defining fundraising strategies for an arts organization are all discussed. This course is recommended for students working in or seeking to work in the not-for-profit sector.

This course is designed as an elective for graduate students and select junior and senior undergraduate students seeking careers in nonprofit management. To be strong candidates for administrative positions in the nonprofit sector, students need to know the tasks necessary for successful fundraising. Many nonprofit organizations rely on government and foundation funding to sustain operations. The ability to prepare a well-written, strong proposal is imperative.

Upon completion of this course, students will understand:

• The different types of grant funding sources that provide grants
• The role of research and cultivation in proposal writing
• The role of board involvement in proposal writing
• How to tailor proposals to meet the needs of specific funders
• The role of ethics in proposal writing

Students will be able to:

• Identify the funders who are most likely to fund their organization
• Write an effective boiler plate grant proposal
• Tailor the boiler plate proposal to meet the needs of specific funders
• Prepare a proposal budget