Schools That Teach Government Grant Writing

Federal grant money is plentiful if you know how to find it.

In 2009, the federal government received more than 300,000 applications for grant money totaling millions of dollars in grant giveaways. Government grant writers have special skills and know how to navigate the federal system, filling out grant applications that reap big checks to their organization. Here are schools and programs that can help writers learn the necessary expertise needed in tapping into free money from the federal government.

Cal State Polytechnic University

Cal State, Pomona, CA offers a grant writing certificate program in both government and foundation grant writing. Coursework includes how to research grant opportunities, where the money comes from and how develop a continual revenue stream for their organization. The target audience for the certificate is people who work as nonprofit administrators, grant writer who want a refresher course and people looking to add to their career goals. The noncredit program is two courses: Grant Income Growth and Management and Project Planning and Grant Proposal Writing, with each course costing $465.

San Diego State University

San Diego State University's professional certificate in grant writing targets professional writers looking for government and foundation monies in the greater San Diego area. Students learn the grant writing process in seven steps teaching them where to look for funding opportunities, how to write the proposal and how to stay on budget. People who work in local and state governments, nonprofits and chambers of commerce will get the most out of this certificate because the instructor gears the course to getting funding in those areas. The noncredit program is on-campus only and is two courses: Introduction to Grants and Funding Research and Grant Proposal Development.

University College, University of Massachusetts, Boston

University College, University of Massachusetts, Boston offers a professional seminar in grant writing that helps students find grant money from both private foundations and the federal government. The coursework includes what kinds of projects require a grant, developing a customized approach, writing the proposal and building a connection with funding agencies over time. The seminar is affiliated with the Advancement Institute of the Association of Fund raising Professionals and costs $275 for member and $375 for non-members. It's held one night a week.

United States Government Grants

This is not affiliated with any school, rather a traveling workshop held in cities across the United States giving people the knowledge they need to write a government grant. For those who can't attend an in-person workshop, courses are also taught online. Workshop attendees learn why most grant applications fail, how to tailor the grant to the specific needs of the organization and the "nuts and bolts" of grant writing proposals. The workshops also discuss case studies and writing a "good problem statement" to get the application noticed. United States Government Grants in accredited by the Better Business Bureau.

References

• Grants.gov: FY 2009 in Review
• Cal Poly Pomona: Certificate in Grant Writing/Management
• San Diego State University: Professional Certificate in Grant Writing
• University College, UMASS Boston: Successful Grant Writing -- From A-Z
• U.S. Government Grants: Grant Writing Seminars