Gain Specialized Skills to Secure Nonprofit Funding
Strategic grant writing effectively aligns a nonprofit's needs with available funding sources, including foundations, government agencies, corporations and individuals. In Introduction to Grant Writing, this course guides students through the basics of grant writing, exploring its relationship with an organization's fundraising strategy. It outlines the six stages of grant writing and emphasizes best practices.
Building on the foundational skills, the Advanced Grant Writing course pushes students to enhance their grant proposals. By focusing on iterative questioning, it helps refine proposals to stand out. The course also demonstrates how a logic model can strengthen proposals at each key stage, improving planning, evaluation, and budgeting from good to great.
Together, these courses equip participants with the knowledge and tools to excel in grant writing and secure essential funding for their organizations.
Required Courses For Certificate
Courses may be taken individually and in any order unless otherwise noted. If pursuing the certificate, all courses in the certificate program must be completed with a C/pass or better.
Why take this program?
After successful completion of this program, you will be able to:
- Learn the basic principles of grant writing, including its role within an organization's overall fundraising strategy.
- Gain proficiency in the six stages of grant writing, from identifying funding sources to submitting the final proposal, while adhering to best practices.
- Develop the skills to strategically match a nonprofit's mission and needs with appropriate funding opportunities from foundations, government agencies, corporations, and individuals.
- Utilize iterative questioning techniques to critically evaluate and refine grant proposals, ensuring they stand out to potential funders.
- Implement advanced strategies, such as using a logic model, to improve planning, evaluation, and budgeting aspects of grant proposals, thereby increasing the likelihood of securing funding.
Program benefits
Completing a grant writing certificate program prepares you for a career in securing funding for nonprofit organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, and other entities that rely on grants to support their missions. As a grant writer or related professional, you will be responsible for researching potential funding sources, crafting compelling proposals, and managing the grant application process.
Your work will be critical in helping organizations achieve their goals by securing the necessary financial resources. The skills you acquire will also be transferable to various roles within development, fundraising, and program management, offering a wide range of career opportunities in the nonprofit and public sectors.
Types of positions for a grant writer
- Grant Writer
- Development Coordinator
- Fundraising Manager
- Nonprofit Program Manager
- Grant Consultant
Career Insights for Development Managers
Development managers play a crucial role in driving organizational growth by overseeing project development and execution. These professionals manage teams, identify growth opportunities, and provide strategic direction to achieve business goals. On average, development manager positions offer a median annual salary of $114,096.
Source: Indeed, 2025
Have a question about this program?
We’re here to help! Whether you want to explore your options or need help finding the right fit, our team is always ready to chat.
Give us a call at (541) 737-1500 or send us an email at cpe@oregonstate.edu. We’d love to hear from you!
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