Individual Courses
Proposal Writing Boot Camp
Learn the essential knowledge and skills to develop effective foundation grant proposals. In this interactive course, you will connect with expert CEND trainers and your peers to learn the practical skills needed to:
- build the key components of a competitive grant proposal to a foundation
- develop a well-organized budget
- identify a targeted list of foundation funding prospects
You will be encouraged to approach your proposal from the funder’s perspective and to think critically about what makes a compelling pitch. To accommodate diversity in learning styles, the course is grounded in project-based learning and include individual writing time, self-paced eLearning, live virtual lectures, and small group discussions and peer activities.
Preparing for the course
We encourage you to prepare for class by identifying a project for which you would like to seek foundation funding. The workshop will include opportunities to draft a logic model and letter of inquiry that you can use to pursue funding for this project.
Course at-a-glance
Week 1: Intro, need statement and analysis
Learn the structure of a grant proposal and develop a need statement. Draft a need statement for review.
Week 2: Logic model and Letter of Inquiry
Get an overview of using the logic model framework to craft a project description and evaluation plan. This week will also include an introduction to and review of the letter of inquiry format.
Week 3: Letter of Inquiry questions and budget
Receive intensive training on developing a project budget. Review the essential components of a full proposal and letter of inquiry. Draft and submit a 1-page letter of inquiry for Week 4’s peer-review exercise.
Week 4: Relationship building and LOI review
Learn how to research, approach, and cultivate relationships with funders. Engage in expert and peer review of your submitted letter of inquiry. Wrap up with summary exercises and evaluation.