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Home » Best Proposal Writing Certification Courses

Best Proposal Writing Certification Courses

Become a Certified Proposal Writer

We rated Technical Writer HQ as having the #1 proposal writing certification course.

Become a Certified HR Manager

Table of contents.

Think proposal writing is the skill you want to invest in with a proposal writing certification course?

That’s a smart career move.

After all, proposal writing is an emerging skill, and companies worldwide are looking for professional writers. You can build your knowledge and benefit from many opportunities by taking proposal writing courses and certifications.

Proposal Writing Certification Course Benefits

Proposal writing certification courses come with their set of benefits. The prominent ones are:

Better Earning Opportunities: Including a proposal writing certification in your resume will help establish the knowledge and experience you need to negotiate a higher salary.
Improved Language Skills: Certifications will enhance your communication abilities.
Develop Leadership Abilities: Certifications focusing on proposal writing involve significant theory about adopting a mindset of pitching and leading projects.
Professional Growth: By completing and getting certifications, you can apply for better jobs and progress your career.
Improve Existing Writing Skills: Proposal writing courses help sharpen your writing abilities.

However, it can be challenging to pick a suitable proposal writing certification. Not all courses available on the market will deliver the same quality. Thankfully, we have curated a list of the best options so you can choose the suitable one and start your proposal writing journey.

Top Best Proposal Writing Certification Courses

Listed in order starting with our favorite:

1. Technical Writer HQ Proposal Writing Course

Technical Writer HQ’s Proposal Writing Certification Course takes first place on our list of top courses.

The main appeal of this certification lies in the balance between theory and practice. It offers you more than 70 lectures to build your understanding of proposal writing. Additionally, it gives you loads of exercises to practice everything you learn. You also get proposal writing templates that guide you on structuring your proposals masterfully for every possible scenario.

The course is designed with updated content and strategies so you can implement what you learn. Most importantly, you get instructor feedback on your proposal writing and access to a supportive community.

Some of the main concepts you’ll learn:

Structuring Your Proposal For Better Persuasion
Setting Your Document’s Scope And Purpose
Analyzing Your Target Audience
Carrying Out Proper Research
Creating a Compelling Proposal Layout
Brainstorming and Creating the Right Outlines

Such topics ensure you know the ins and outs of proposal writing and start creating impressive proposals.

You can learn more about the course by visiting Technical Writer HQ’s Proposal Writing webpage.

How Much Does the Technical Writer HQ Proposal Writing Course Cost?

Technical Writer HQ’s Proposal Writing Certification costs a very economical price of $300. It is affordable to reach a wider audience who wants to master proposal writing.

Who Should Take the Technical Writer HQ Proposal Writing Course?

This is an excellent course for creating your proposal writing foundation. Experienced proposal writers can also benefit from this course to brush up their skills and master more advanced concepts.

View the course here.

2. APMP Practitioner-level Certification

There is hardly any certification more recognized within the proposal writing industry than the Association Of Proposal Management Professionals certificate. Its eligibility criteria list that candidates should have a minimum of three years of professional experience in the proposal field.

This certification mainly involves an online 2.5-hour-long exam. You receive scenarios and questions testing your knowledge of APMP best practices relevant to the scenario. The exam assesses your understanding gathered through professional experience and APMP’s Body of Knowledge.

APMP provides a dedicated Practitioner OTE Preparation Guide to help you prepare for the certification exam. You need to go through it to have a better chance of succeeding with the assessment.

You can also take a practice exam in the same setting and of the same duration as the actual exam. However, it’s best to dedicate enough time to prepare for this certification since it’s for senior professionals.

How Much Does the APMP Practitioner-level Certification Cost?

The cost of the APMP certification is different for different locations around the world. It shows it as 250£ which translates to around $336. There is an additional fee for shifting the exam to a different date.

Who Should Take the APMP Practitioner-level Certification?

Since this certification requires significant professional experience, you should expect a certain difficulty level. Therefore, we suggest gaining relevant professional experience before getting this certification. Additionally, you need to be an APMP member and have done an earlier, much more fundamental certification.

Nevertheless, advanced certification from such a prestigious organization adds value to your resume. Since it requires you to be an APMP member, you get the added benefit of practice material and resources. Find out more here .

3. APMP Foundation-level Certification

This is the better choice if you want the credibility and reputation of an organization like APMP but with less demanding prerequisites.

APMP’s Foundation-Level certification is for less experienced professionals. It assesses your fundamental knowledge and understanding of proposal writing and bid management. Additionally, it will prepare you for more advanced certifications that proceed and give you a flavor of more complex assignments.

This certification’s eligibility criteria only require a year of professional experience in the industry. Even this required experience doesn’t need to be continuous, and candidates don’t have to be APMP members. Such requirements open the doors for many aspiring individuals to gain a highly sought-after certification.

Like its more advanced counterpart, this certification also includes preparatory material and exams. You can read the Foundation Study Guide and even take self-paced courses. You can also practice online before taking the actual exam.

Such certification has a lot to offer, and you don’t have to worry about stringent requirements.

How Much Does the APMP Foundation-level Certification Cost?

The APMP Foundation-level certification costs $550 and does not include withholding tax based on your location. You can also take just the exam for $400.

Who Should Take the APMP Foundation-level Certification?

This certification is a terrific starting point for beginners or slightly experienced proposal writers to gain critical exposure. Additionally, you will need to pass this course to earn certifications intended for more experienced professionals.

With this certification as part of your professional knowledge, you are eligible to start handling important proposal writing responsibilities. You can manage different proposal strategies and even draft quality proposals and bid documents yourself. Find out more here .

4. The Grant Development: State and Foundation Proposals Certificate

Arizona State University offers this course from their department dedicated to researching and teaching philanthropy and nonprofit innovation. It is a seven-week-long certification program that intends to be fast-paced and interactive.

The course requires advanced writing skills and previous experience writing grant proposals. However, this requirement is flexible, and you can also be eligible if you have previously taken a college-level course about grant proposal writing. Any experience of working with NGOs and writing grant proposals also counts.

The certification is challenging, and there is an expected coursework load of 12-15 hours.

There are different topics in this certification:

Foundations of Grant Development and Proposal Writing: This introductory course will take you through the basics and build your foundational concepts. You submit a successful grant proposal to pass the course and move ahead.
Grant Development – Proposal Exploration: This course mainly focuses on building your proposal writing style and presentation and creating a sense of what successful grants and proposals look like. This course will build on the foundations you learned in the previous section and take you one step further.
Grant Development – Proposal Application and Grant Management: The most advanced course in the certification provides expert-guided practice and professional mentorship so you can create skillfully drafted proposals. This course’s completion will require researching and working on challenging grant proposal scenarios.

Such a certification aims to prepare you for serious grant proposal writing. You can move on to further advanced courses on grant development and writing federal-level proposals.

How Much Does the Grant Development: State And Foundation Proposals Certificate Cost?

The Grant Development: State And Foundation Proposals Certificate costs $1,050. The more advanced course is $1,175. Completing the foundation course gets you a 25% discount on the advanced class. The cancellation fee depends on when you cancel the course.

Who Should Take the Grant Development: State And Foundation Proposals Certificate?

Individuals looking for a more university-oriented approach to learning grant proposal writing. By the end, you can expect to develop solid language and persuasion skills and write grant proposals for different needs of an NGO. Find out more here .

5. Grant Writing Certificate By University Of Massachusetts Boston

This is another popular certification offered by a prestigious university. It is for beginners and solidifies the basics of compelling proposal writing. You can take the full certificate or a particular course according to your experience level.

The certification has two courses and is one of the more accessible certifications on the list. Both courses focus on the following topics:

Proposal writing foundation
Collaboration when drafting grant proposals
Identifying the needs and requirements for crafting better grant proposals

Since it is a university course, you can expect to receive in-class sessions, supplemental readings, and assessments. The lessons also involve writing projects to get ample practice as you build solid proposal writing capabilities.

How Much Does the Grant Writing Certificate Cost?

Each course costs 600$, so the certification in total is 1,200$. This price tag makes it the priciest certificate on the list. However, the flexibility of opting for one course does make it easier.

Who Should Take the Grant Writing Certificate?

This course is well-suited for existing college students who want to integrate proposal writing into their skillset. A certificate from a credible institution like the University of Massachusetts will only positively impact your professional image.

The University of Massachusetts also supports a Proposal Development Grant Program for research projects. Its Grant Writing Certificate will prepare students so that they proceed to collaborate with the faculty and draft grant proposals for any research they plan to carry out. Find out more here .

Use The Right Proposal Writing Certification Course To Boost Your Skill Set

With the best options now in front, the final decision of choosing the suitable proposal writing certification course is up to you. Apart from their difficulty level, you should also factor in how much of your precious resources, like time and money, you are willing to put in.

While deciding, know that pursuing a good proposal writing certification will do you good in many ways. It will open doors for many new opportunities, help you gain crucial new skills, and enable you to progress.

Proposal Writing Certification Courses FAQ

Here are some of the most common questions people ask about proposal writing certification courses.

How Do You Learn Proposal Writing?

Practice is an important habit to cultivate if you wish to become a masterful proposal writer. However, even the most experienced individuals may need guidance to improve their hand at proposal writing. There is a pre-planned roadmap ahead of you, and you only have to stay determined and pursue the certification.

Is Proposal Writing Difficult?

While it can initially seem daunting, proposal writing becomes intuitive with time. Most people face difficulty because they don’t have proper guidance or action plans when learning proposal writing. Hence, most people decide to invest in a quality proposal writing certification course to guide and help them.

What Does a Proposal Writing Certification Involve?

You’ll learn what good proposal writing looks like and what differentiates a skillfully-written proposal from a poor one. Additionally, you learn vital argumentative skills that help you write better proposals in your career. Most certifications involve exercise and activities so that by the end, you have gained significant experience and confidence in quality proposal writing.

How are Most Proposal Writing Certification Courses Structured?

Most courses begin by giving you an idea about what it will take to become skilled at proposal writing. Then, you move on to understanding what makes a proposal compelling, and this primarily involves studying some solid examples. Many courses give you exercises at this point and then give written samples so you can compare and understand where you need to improve. By the end, you will have to write a final big proposal capturing everything you learned during the certification course.

How Much Do Different Proposal Writing Certification Courses Cost?

The different certification courses you’ll find on the market range from 300$ to thousands of dollars. You can select the one based on how much you wish to invest and the nature of the course. Some are online certifications, so they charge nominally based on their medium.

Are There Any Dedicated Certifications For Professional Proposal Writing?

Many certification courses can help you become a professional proposal writer. You could opt for the APMP certification courses since the organization focuses on the proposal and bid writing in the first place. Their certifications are considered the most reputed in the industry and are a significant stamp of credibility.

10 Best Grant Writing Certifications in 2024: Reviews and Pricing

Published in 6 Best Technical Writing Certifications Online: Reviews and Pricing

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Candid Learning

Candid learning offers information and resources that are specifically designed to meet the needs of grantseekers..

Candid Learning > Training > On-demand

Introduction to proposal writing

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Are you new to proposal writing or want a quick refresher? If so, you don't want to miss one of our most popular classes!

This class will provide you with an overview of how to write a standard project proposal to a foundation. It will include:

The basic elements of a proposal
The "do's" and "don'ts" of writing and submitting a proposal
How to follow up whether the answer is yes or no
30-minute hands-on exercise to develop a proposal outline (in-person classes only)

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

Understand how to write a standard project proposal to a foundation.
Know how and when to follow up with funders after submitting a proposal.

Looking for sample proposals?

Our Sample Documents gallery has samples of actual winning proposals recommended by grantmakers.

For more on proposal budgets, see our free class, Introduction to Project Budgets .

--> Qualifies for 1.5 CFRE point(s)

Intended audience

Grant writers

Bonus materials

2-page handout
Project outline worksheet and sample

Published Friday, July 9, 2021

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APMP® - Bid & Proposal Management Certification

Championing those that win business

APMP® - Bid & Proposal Management Certification

Gain the knowledge required to be recognized as a highly competent bid and proposal professional.

Developed by The Association for Proposal Management Professional (APMP) – this certification confirms you have the core competencies corresponding with the skills and scenarios often encountered by bid and proposal professionals.

APMP certified professionals are best placed for winning business through proposals, bids, tenders and presentations.

Certify your ability to:

Utilise the latest best practices for proposal and bid management.
Improve client management and negotiation planning skills.
Submit winning proposals by developing a structured content plan and write compelling proposal text.
Win business through information research and management, planning, development and sales orientation.

Levels of Bid and Proposals expertise

Apmp foundation, apmp practitioner, apmp capture practitioner, apmp professional.

Broadcast your certified knowledge online with new APMP digital badges.

Demonstrate extensive knowledge and understanding of best practices as a Bid/ Proposal Professional.

A minimum of one year's experience working in a bid and proposals related environment - verified by a reference of your choosing.
Your understanding of the fundamentals of proposal planning and development.
Your ability to write persuasive proposals.
Your ability to interface directly with internal clients or external customers.
Your knowledge of contemporary sales methodologies.
Multiple choice
75 questions per paper
42 marks required to pass (out of 75 available) – 56%
60 minutes duration
Open book, unrestricted materials

Validate your mastery of bid and proposal techniques. Demonstrate mastery of how to apply best...

APMP Membership
The APMP-Foundation certificate
A minimum of three years' experience in a bid and proposals environment
You are committed to enhancing your professional bid and proposal skills.
Your mastery of bid and proposal best practices and your ability to effectively lead and coach teams people in their use.
You can assemble and manage teams that can communicate consistent winning strategies – which positively impact customers’ decisions.
You are a highly effective bid and proposal professional.
6 questions
12-16 question items per question each worth one mark, total of 80 marks
2-and-a-half-hour examination (150 minutes) no additional reading time
Pass Mark of 40+/80 to pass (50%)
Open book, unrestricted materials.

APMP Membership
A minimum of three years' experience in the capture, sales, bid and/or proposals fields
Submission of a completed Capture Practitioner Examination Application

The Bid Practitioner Objective Test Examination (OTE) is designed to test the abilities of those candidates who are mostly involved in the practical activities associated with producing bid and proposal documents. The Capture Practitioner (OTE) is designed to test the practical application abilities of people who are mostly involved in coordinating the pursuit of complex business winning opportunities.

8 questions
10 question items per question each worth one mark, total of 80 marks

Confirm your status as an elite bid and proposals professional. Demonstrate significant...

The APMP Practitioner or Capture Practitioner certificate.
A minimum of seven years' experience in a bid and proposals environment.
A reference of your choice - who will be asked to rate you on competencies in managing and motivating others.
You have achieved the top-level certification in your profession - achieved by very few professionals.
Exceptional leadership and communication skills.
That you've made significant contributions to an organization and/or the bid and proposals profession.
Innovation and your ability to lead others in achieving ambitious goals.
There is no exam for APMP-Professional.
Instead you complete a Proposal Professional Impact Paper (PPIP) - providing evidence of having made a significant impact on your organization and/or the bid and proposals profession.
Once you have completed your PPIP - register for the APMP-Professional Assessment online to arrange your interview.
You then participate in a 45-minute panel interview to discuss your PPIP.

Rate your experience with us...

Find a training provider, sfia framework, recommended reading.

The ultimate Bid and Proposal Compedium

TESTIMONIALS

A little over a year ago, I convinced my employer to move me from my Marketing Manager position (bidding part-time) to RFP & Diversity Programs Manager so I could concentrate on full-time bid sourcing and proposal management. Even though I have previous proposal experience, I have never worked on a proposal team and don’t have peers to brainstorm or learn from. I pursued certification to learn more about the industry and its standards and to take advantage of the community to share ideas. It has been extremely helpful to feel like I have a “team” behind me!

Amy Stephens - RFP & Diversity Programs Manager

Pursuing this certification was important to me for a few reasons. By expanding my knowledge and learning current best practices, I can share this information and make important contributions to the team as it relates to proposal management. Also, with my original background in Sales and over the last year and half in Proposal Management, the training received has helped me to be able to mentor my colleagues on those best practices. As I have benefited from guidance of others all my life, I now can share what I have learned and assist my team in presenting the best product for my company and its customers.

Mary J Becker - Account Manager

Achieving the APMP Practitioner certification marks a significant milestone in my career, underscoring my dedication to the highest standards of proposal management. This qualification not only bolsters my professional standing but has provided me with the skills necessary to navigate the complexities of proposal development and leadership. My motivation for pursuing this certification was to enrich my understanding and proficiency, ensuring my contributions are both impactful and aligned with public sector strategic objectives. I am eager to leverage the comprehensive insights and skills gained to bolster the Cabinet Office’s efforts in delivering exceptional governance and service to the public.

Matthew J. McVicar, Commercial Specialist

Achieving my APMP Practitioner Certification is an important milestone that demonstrates my commitment to excellence in proposal management and understanding of the industry's best practices. As someone who is process-driven, dedicated to continuous learning, and committed to delivering high-quality proposals, this achievement reflects my passion for my work and my desire to stay ahead of the competition. I am proud to have earned this certification, and I look forward to leveraging my knowledge and skills to drive our competitiveness in the industry.

Letisia Cruz, Proposal Practice Leader

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How can I train for the APMP Bid & Proposal Management Certification?

You can refer to the APMG Accredited Training Organisations to book a training course and exam, or if you wish to self study, you can book your exam via the Public Exams Portal .

Do I have to receive training to complete the exam/assessments?

No, however this is recommended. In addition to receiving accredited training, individuals also have the option of self-study to prepare for the examination. APMG administers public exam sessions around the world to accommodate those who self-study.

How do I sit the exams?

APMP exams can be sat in person on paper, or remotely online. For more information, please click here.

How much does it cost to sit the APMP exams?

If you are sitting the examinations through an accredited training organization, the costs of the exams are generally included in the course fee.

When can I expect the results of my APMP Examinations?

Provisional results for the examination are fed back to candidates either orally if in person or on-screen at the end of an online exam.

For online exams APMG will formally process and confirm results via the Candidate Portal within 2 working days of receipt of the completed papers.

What are the main publications for APMP and when can I access them?

APMP has one main manual supporting the qualification scheme, published by APMP, called the Body of Knowledge.

The APMP Body of Knowledge (BOK) is available to APMP members in good standing who are logged into the APMP website. Be sure you are signed in to access the APMP BOK here .

How do I become an APMP Member?

APMP membership is not purchased or overseen by APMG. This is via APMP directly by emailing: [email protected]

For further information please visit the official APMP website: https://www.apmp.org/page/MembershipHome

How long are the APMP certifications valid for?

There are no expiry dates on the certificates however candidates are expected to complete CEU credits each year to keep up to date and maintain certification. More information can be found here .

When will I receive my certificate?

Candidates will be able to claim their digital badge and electronic certificate from their APMG Candidate Portal within two business days of their exam result being issued.

How do I become an APMP Accredited Training Organisation?

The details for becoming a Training Provider is available from APMG, please get in touch here.

How do I access my digital badge and/or certificate?

You can always access all your electronic certificates and badges via the APMG Candidate Portal. Once you have logged on to the Candidate Portal, click on the ‘Badges and Certificates’ option from the menu bar at the top of screen. From here you should click on the ‘Create Badge/Certificate’ button. This will take you to the Credly platform to create and account and download your badge and certificate.

Step-by-step guidance is available to download from the ‘Badges and Certificates’ area in your Candidate Portal.

Electronic certificates are environmentally friendly, but you can print the certificate yourself at home or work, if required.

If you have any problems with accessing your digital certificate, please contact our Customer Interaction Team - [email protected]

Can I earn PMI® PDUs for attending an accredited training course?

It is possible to earn PMI Education PDUs for attending third-party provider training (training courses not offered by a PMI Authorized Training Partner), as long as the training meets the requirements around the skill areas of the PMI Talent Triangle. Please check the PMI website ( https://www.pmi.org/certifications/certification-resources/maintain/earn-pdus/education ) for further details on how to record your PDUs and what supporting evidence is required.

Which languages are the APMP examinations available in?

The APMP Foundation exam is currently available in English & Japanese.

The APMP Practitioner & Capture Practitioner exams are currently available in English.

What are the ProctorU alternatives for the Practitioner exam?

Candidates can nominate an approved individual to Proctor exams should they wish to not use ProctorU. A Line Manager or Member of your HR Team. The nominated person can Proctor the exam online, or paper based.

If an online exam is to be done, we will need to ensure all combability checks are completed on the computer/connections at least 36 hours prior to the exam commencing.

If paper exams are used (to avoid connection issues), a full pack will be sent to the nominated Proctor 36 hours before the exam so they can print all documentation. After the exam they would need to scan and return the answer sheets and shred the remaining documentation.

Briefing sessions can be set up with operations team on this process.

Or you can request more details on the APMG In Person Proctoring (AIPP) service.

Please contact us on: [email protected] should you wish to take the exam this way.

More information can be found here.

What is the difference between the Practitioner (2015) and Capture Practitioner (2019) Objective Test Examination?

Where can I find more information on the APMP Micro-Certifications?

You can find out more here: https://apmg-international.com/product/apmp-micro-certification

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In only 5 days learn to find funding and use the world's most successful grant proposal format. Learn by doing! Get expert guidance while you and a team write and review proposals. Novice or professional — sharpen your skillset and jumpstart your career.

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Effective grant administration is essential for your agency.

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In this 2-day workshop, learn to manage grants so your organization is in full compliance. Examine critical legal and policy issues. Inspire funder confidence and avoid bad audits and disallowed costs. Examine real-world situations that grant managers confront every day.

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What is a Grant Proposal? Grants as Advocacy, Not Just Asking

Most staff members in nonprofit organizations define a grant proposal as a request for money. That definition is only superficially correct. To achieve the best results for their constituents and move more surely toward their missions, nonprofits need to think of grant proposals in a different way.

First, nonprofits must consider grants from a funder’s point of view. For funders, a grant award is an investment in positive change. It’s a tool they use for having an impact on issues they care about.

Next, nonprofits must consider grants from a mission-focused perspective. Since the point of a grant award is impact rather than money, the real point of a grant proposal is to rally the necessary resources to help the nonprofit fulfill its purpose. A grant is a tool nonprofits use to address important issues within their communities.

Definitions matter, and defining grant proposals accurately can help both funders and nonprofits work together more productively. A grant proposal is actually a call to action. It’s a request that a funder join the nonprofit as a partner in achieving specific results. At its best, a grant proposal is a cogent, persuasive, well-supported argument for change.

This definition moves the work of grantseekers well beyond reactive dollar-chasing and into the realm of social activism. It’s no longer about supporting “our organization.” It’s about linking arms with colleague organizations, beneficiaries, community members, and funders to embrace a mission and confront the dragons.

Focusing on the articulation of a logical argument for action also means that the document you produce when seeking grant funds can be sliced and diced and used in numerous ways. You can use the proposal to educate staff and board members so that they’ll be better prepared to rally community support, engage with other organizations, and convince funders to come onboard as partners.

You can also use the proposal as the basis for editorials, blogs, presentations, and public testimony. By disseminating solid information widely you’re laying the groundwork for progress. When the community understands the significance of the issue you’re working on, you’re more likely to get the cash, in-kind donations, and volunteers you need to do your work.

You can edit the proposal into a briefing document and share it with those who are concerned about the issue or who should be. The list may include politicians, local officials, targeted community members and colleague organizations.

Embracing grant proposal development as a form of advocacy challenges the resource development team to impose standards on its work that may be higher than those demanded by funders. These include:

Deeply studying the issue you’re concerned about, listening to various and sometimes dissenting voices, looking at it through different lenses, and then digesting it all until you can concisely and precisely explain what concerns you, why it needs to be changed, and what’s causing the situation.
Specifically defining what changes your organization plans to achieve, the degree of change you expect, and how you’ll track progress.
Identifying the actions that have the highest likelihood of producing the desired change, documenting why you expect the approach to succeed, and committing to what your organization will deliver within a set time frame.
Imposing accountability on yourself rather than expecting some outside watchdog to do it.
Communicating fully and honestly with staff members, beneficiaries, board members, the community, contributors, major donors, and grantmakers.
Claiming and celebrating successes, and acknowledging, examining and learning from failures.

A top-quality grants professional is not just a seeker of dollars, a writer, a completer of forms, a person who answers the funders’ questions, or a person who regurgitates information. They are a rain-maker, a change-maker, and a social activist. They find the sweet spot where the needs of the community, the commitment of the funders, and the mission and capacity of the nonprofit organization align.

A grant proposal is not just a request for money. It’s much more than that. A grant award is not just funding. It’s a tool, a means to an end, an investment in change.

Want more? The Grantsmanship Center has a wealth of resources for you! For 50 years, we’ve served nonprofits, academia, and government and Native American groups by providing training and the textbook, Grantsmanship: Program Planning & Proposal Writing . Choose a training to fit your budget, schedule, and experience and join 145,000+ alumni helping to build a better world!

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Getting the Grant 101 The Essentials

The process of “getting a grant” or “writing a grant proposal” can sound mysterious, like an old family recipe with secret ingredients. For nearly 50 years The Grantsmanship Center has been helping people demystify this process and to understand that, like a recipe, creating a compelling proposal simply requires common ingredients put together in a logical and understandable sequence using tried and true techniques.

First, let’s talk about what a grant is and is not. In most cases a grant is support that does not need to be repaid. Usually it comes in the form of money, but it may be technical assistance or training. Grants are usually awarded after the submission of a written proposal. So, the “grant” is the funding or other assistance that is received as a result of a grant proposal (also referred to as an application). A grant is not the written document that we submit to a potential funding source!

Each funder sets its own eligibility criteria for grant applicants, and eligible applicants are typically nonprofit organizations or public agencies. Nonprofits are often required to be 501(c)(3) organizations under the IRS. Click here for IRS information on nonprofits . Grants to for-profit entities or to private individuals do exist; however, they are far less common.

Each funder will also have its own application process and the degree of detail required will vary. Here, we’ll focus on The Grantsmanship Center Model, which consists of eight sections. The first seven sections, Summary through Future Support, are the narrative. The eighth section is the Budget. Each part has a job to do and, because each supports the others, a weakness in one affects the entire proposal. Let’s take a look at the basic ingredients required in a typical proposal, and how to include them.

Components of The Grantsmanship Center Model:

Summary (goes at the beginning but is written last)
Introduction to the Applicant Organization
Future Support

INTRODUCTION

Funders look carefully at the applicant organization’s history, leadership, and track record. Offer factual and objective descriptions of your organization’s accomplishments, including statistics and examples. Highlight achievements that will be most meaningful to the potential funder. “Season” your proposal with a quote from someone in the community who values the contributions of your organization. If your organization is new and its track record brief, look to the background of the staff and board of directors to provide credibility, and stress community partnerships to build the funder’s confidence in the new organization’s ability to achieve results.

Consider this section of the proposal as a resume for your organization – your goal is to impress the reader with the organization’s credibility and qualifications.

This section of a grant proposal may be called the problem statement, statement of need, or something similar. Your discussion of the problem to be addressed lays the foundation for the program plan, and if this section is weak, so goes the rest of the proposal. A strong statement of the problem will address the following:

Who is affected? What are their qualities or characteristics? How many people are affected and where do they live?
In what ways are they affected and to what extent? How do you know? Be clear about this. Quantify the problem using hard data and cite your sources. Provide context about the problem to elicit the funder’s empathy and create a sense of urgency. Your understanding of the target population is critical. There’s a story to tell and it’s your job to tell it.
Why is the problem significant? Why should the funder care about what’s happening? There are urgent and compelling problems all around us. Why is it important to address this situation now? If there is credible research on the subject, discuss it. It can sometimes be useful to show how the local problem compares with the state or national situation.
Why is the problem occurring? Identification of the causes of the situation will lead you directly to possible solutions. Remember to ask those affected by the problem why they think it exists. Their direct experience is invaluable and can help challenge preconceived notions that you, your team, or even a potential funding partner might have about the situation. Avoid assumptions.

As you explore the problem and its causes, a helpful question to ask is: How do we know this? One final note: the situation for which your organization is seeking a grant should generally not be about your own organization. Rather, it should be about those you are proposing to serve.

After you have clearly identified the situation that needs to be changed, it’s time to specify the outcomes you hope the grant-funded program will achieve. Funders use lots of different terms and may call these program outcomes, objectives, results, or even goals. Whatever they are called, think about this: what do you expect to result from the program your organization will run? Propose outcomes that are specific, measurable, and that will be accomplished within a set time frame. If you have defined the problem well, the outcomes will follow logically.

Next, lay out how your organization will accomplish the projected outcomes. Funders may call this section methods, approach, plan of action, program plan, or something else. No matter what they call it, this is what your organization plans to do when it gets the grant. Include who, what, when, where, and how. Explain it like you would explain a program to someone who knew nothing about it.

Who? Who will be in charge of getting the work done? What are their qualifications? Who will be served or affected? How many people will be involved? Are there any specific criteria for the people to be involved in this project? Discuss any collaborative efforts that will be a part of the program.
What? What will be happening? What are the specific strategies that will be used?
When? What is the timeline for activities? It’s helpful to lay out a graphic timeline, whether it’s a GANTT chart or a simple chart with three columns that describes 1) who, 2) will do what, and 3) when.
Where? Where will the work take place?
How? How will the work be accomplished? What resources will be used to get the job done?

Finally, one more question to answer – Why this approach? Have others used this approach and been successful? Is this approach considered to be a best practice or a model in your field? Share your rationale. It adds credibility to your proposal if you can demonstrate that you have a broad understanding of what other organizations in your field are doing and have learned. Note: you might end up with more information in this plan than what you ultimately have room to include in the proposal. That’s okay! Submit the key points, but keep all the detail in your files. This work will be used to create the program management plan, and when you’re ready to implement the program you’ll be glad you put the time into planning!

Nearly every funder will ask for a description of how you will evaluate the grant-funded program. Funders want to know that their investment in your organization was a good one. This stumps a lot of people, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Simply put, the evaluation plan describes how your organization: (1) will measure the level to which the program is achieving the expected outcomes; and 2) will document that program activities unfolded according to plans, as well as any course corrections you’re making and why.

First, think about the projected program outcomes. How will you know when you have accomplished them? Are there benchmarks along the way that will indicate that you’re headed in the right direction? Describe those benchmarks and what they will tell you about results. Describe what data will be collected and analyzed and by whom. Then describe what you will do with what you are learning. Will you be able to use those results to help guide future program development? If so, describe how that will be done. Remember that outcomes are all about results, so how will you monitor results? This is what many funders call the “outcome evaluation” plan.

Then, think about how your organization can improve the program from day one. How will the organization know whether the program approach is working? Or when revisions to the plan are warranted? Typically, some of the things that may be monitored are client participation, community support, feedback from clients, collaborators, and others, client satisfaction, and staff feedback. For example, if the plan was to conduct community forums about a particular issue, and few people attended, this would tell you something. Maybe the forums were held at the wrong time of day. Maybe people couldn’t find the place. Maybe the subject was not of interest. Maybe childcare was a problem. Analysis of the situation can help you modify the approach so that it’s more effective. This part of the evaluation plan is often called “process evaluation.”

FUTURE SUPPORT

Grants are wonderful (usually). But they are generally short-lived! What is your organization’s plan for the program after the grant ends? If this is a program or service that should continue, what are your ideas for funding it? Aside from seeking more grants! Think about potential funding mechanisms that can be explored for long-term sustainability. Perhaps your organization excels at community fundraising. Maybe there is potential for contracts with government or for-profit corporations who need your service. A social enterprise might be something to explore.

In this section, also describe who else will be supporting the program. Support from other sources, whether cash or in-kind, may provide leverage for the grant. Don’t forget about what your own organization will contribute, like office space, administrative support, or whatever you are able to provide.

Now it’s time to put dollars to the plan. How much will this cost? Be specific and account for all the ingredients in your program recipe. Start by making a chart with four columns:

Column 1 – Line Items: Use your organization’s chart of accounts to list the line items that must be addressed in budgeting for the grant-funded program.
Column 2 – Total Program Budget: This column shows the cost of everything that will go into the program, even if it’s already covered by other sources.
Column 3 – Other Funding: For each line item, show funding and the value of other resources that will be contributed from sources other than the requested grant. Be sure to include what your own organization will provide. The amounts in this column are sometimes called “matching resources,” “leveraged funds,” or “cost sharing.”
Column 4 – Amount of The Requested Grant: The difference between Column 2 and Column 3 is the requested grant amount.

Learning to use spreadsheet software well will make budget calculations faster, easier to adjust, and more accurate.

A few more points about the budget:

Typically, grant proposals include budgets for one year time periods. If you are submitting a multi-year request, calculate each year separately and include a summary that shows the multi-year total.
Remember you are projecting a budget. Therefore, you want to think not just about what the line items would cost today, but what will they cost when you actually incur the expense. Will salaries go up? Will benefits change?
The value of donations should be calculated in the total program budget and then be indicated in the other funding column. Value should be based on what you would actually pay in your community for that item if you had to pay cash for it.
Be certain that there are no expenses in your budget request that are unexplained. Some funding sources will ask for a budget narrative, which gives you an opportunity to explain each item, how you calculated it, and how it is important to your proposed program.
Check your math!

Once you’ve completed the budget, you’ve completed the body of the proposal – the main dish! Now you’re ready to write a summary.

A summary is brief and may be just a few sentences. But it gives an overview of the entire proposal. And, while it is written last, it is almost always placed at the very beginning of a grant proposal. Since it is usually the first thing that reviewers will see, craft it with care! Pick out a key point from every section of narrative and write a sentence about it. Then, summarize the budget and how much you are requesting. That’s it.

Attachments

Sometimes funders require that you send additional attachments along with your proposal. Typically requested items include brief resumes of key staff, job descriptions, letters of support or commitment from collaborating organizations, your organization’s current operating budget, and a copy of your organization’s 501(c)(3) letter from the Internal Revenue Service. Have these typical attachments on hand and keep them up-to-date so they’re ready to go when you need them.

A Few General Tips for Preparing the Grant Proposal

Use short sentences and paragraphs.
Edit, edit, edit. Get rid of excess words.
Write so that anyone can understand what you mean.
Have someone who is not familiar with your organization or the proposed program read the grant proposal. Can they understand what you are saying?
Use simple language. A grant proposal is not the place to dazzle others with your vast vocabulary.
Avoid acronyms or jargon. In fact, don’t use them.
Make your point at the beginning of each section and at the beginning of each paragraph. This prepares the proposal for skimmers. Remember, reviewers usually have many proposals to read. They appreciate your getting to the point.
Include “the human face” — quotes, brief anecdotes and examples can make your proposal more readable and understandable. Remember that reviewers are human; the more interesting we make the proposal, the more likely it will be read thoroughly.

Take Time to Produce a High-Quality Proposal – This Isn’t Fast Food

Finally, remember that a grant proposal isn’t fast food or even a ten-minute recipe. It requires careful thought and planning. The better you plan on the front end, the greater the likelihood that the program will be successful – not just in obtaining a grant, but in making a difference in the lives of others. And that’s really what it’s all about!

Find the Right Funders Where’s the Money?

Once you understand your organization’s mission and priorities, you’re ready to begin identifying funders that might be a good fit.

Let’s start with a few key points:

There are no shortcuts to finding the right funding source. Nothing can replace thorough research.
Look beyond the obvious funders to find a wider group of prospects.
Grantmakers can change interest areas, application processes, and staff. Always get the most up-to-date information.
Get strong community support before seeking funding outside your community. Local support can build a potential funder’s confidence in your organization.
Grantmakers receive tons of requests for funding. Don’t waste their time–or yours–with requests that don’t align with their interests.

BE STRATEGIC

Your task is to identify all potential funders whose interests align with your organization’s mission, priorities, and program plans. Sometimes you’ll focus your search on grantmakers for a specific program. That’s fine. But to build a grant funding program that will be most productive over time, it’s best to explore the entire universe of grantmakers to find those that are the best fit for your organization.

Don’t approach this task in a hit-or-miss manner. Lots of internet sites provide lists of foundations and announcements of upcoming foundation or government funding opportunities, and you may run across some promising opportunities there. But browsing free sites and responding to list-serve announcements puts you in a disorganized, reactive position that won’t produce the best results. Learn about the serious research tools available then use them in a well-considered, strategic way to find appropriate funders.

Even if the database you subscribe to saves your searches, supplement that tool with an Excel or Google sheet to organize your research and avoid getting overwhelmed by the data.

There are two general types of grant funders: government and private .

GOVERNMENT GRANTMAKERS

Grantmakers exist at all levels of government, from the federal level down to the local level.

RESEARCH TOOLS FOR FEDERAL GRANTMAKERS

There are several resources available for identifying federal funding programs, and each requires that you think broadly about the terminology you use in identifying your organization’s interests.

To get started, think about the problems or issues your organization is addressing and brainstorm key words and phrases to use in your research. For example, if your organization’s work focuses on teen substance abuse, key words and phrases might include substance abuse, drug abuse, addiction, health, alcohol, drugs, youth development, adolescents, teens, drug abuse treatment, drug abuse counseling, etc.

In order to apply for federal funding, you need to follow a few important steps:

Get a Dun & Bradstreet number (aka: a D-U-N-S number) at: Allow at least a couple of days for completion of this process. You can use this resource to search for grant programs, and it’s also the portal through which many grant applications must be submitted.
Register with SAM.gov at: This is the official site for registering to do business with the federal government. Allow up to five weeks for completion of this registration process.
Register with grants.gov at: Grants.gov is the main tool you will use for identifying federal funding. Ideally, registration for grants.gov can be accomplished the same day.

It’s always a good idea to allow more time for each step above, if you can.

Registration on these sites is free and does not commit your organization to making a specific application for funds.

Once you have identified potential opportunities, read the program listing carefully. Is your organization eligible?

Visit the relevant federal agency’s website to learn all you can about the program.
Contact the agency’s designated staff member if there are important questions you can’t answer from studying the relevant websites.

RESEARCHING STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL GRANTMAKERS

State, county, and municipal grantmakers rarely have a structured, user-friendly way of letting applicants know when a grant competition will open – or even that a grant program exists. For the most part, to unearth the possibilities, grantseekers have to become detectives. A few words of advice:

Call the offices of government officials and ask if there is a system that makes grant application announcements available to the public. If there isn’t (as is often the case), ask how you can learn about grant opportunities.
Visit government websites and explore the various departments to see if grant programs appear to be available.
Speak to elected officials about what resources might be available.

PRIVATE GRANTMAKERS

Non-governmental funders include private foundations, community foundations, corporate foundations, and federated grantmaking organizations such as United Way.

As a part of your research, look for any connections that may help your organization build a relationship with the funder’s board or staff members. Establishing a relationship with a foundation prior to submitting a proposal is a basic strategy that is worth the time and effort.

RESEARCH TOOLS FOR PRIVATE FUNDERS

Like the search for government funds, the starting point for private funders is a list of key words and phrases. This list will be similar to the one you used for government funders, but expand it with words relating to the type of support you’re looking for, and your type of organization. For example, if one of your organization’s priorities is to reduce health-care inequities by building a free community health clinic, you might use key words and phrases such as capital support, health, health care, social justice, free clinics, health care inequity, low income, and uninsured. And you’ll want to target foundations that have expressed interest in your organization’s geographic service area.

There are now myriad databases making many claims. You need to carefully check them out and determine if they will meet your needs. There is no single, free database of information on all foundations. To get serious and get best results, consider a subscription. Here’s two we can recommend to help you conduct thorough research:

Candid was created in 2019 when The Foundation Center merged with Guidestar. Extensive databases of foundation information have been combined with comprehensive data on nonprofit organizations for a powerful research tool. Some information is available for free on the website. To access the free services you’ll need to register and set up an account. To dig deeper, with structured research, you’ll likely want to use one of the online fee-based subscription services. When you search the nonprofits database by zip code, you’ll discover foundation as well as colleague nonprofits because foundations are also nonprofit organizations. Candid resources are also available in-person, without fees, at their Funding Information Network (FIN), carious libraries and regional centers across the U.S. For a list and map of Funding Information Network locations, go to: candid.org/find-us .

GrantStation provides a continuously updated database of information on private and government grantmakers. The Grantsmanship Center partners with GrantStation providing access to their databases for the Center’s training participants and alumni. After training, alumni continue to have access to GrantStation as an Alumni Membership benefit. You can also subscribe separately to GrantStation.

GrantStation funder criteria:

The funder accepts unsolicited proposals, applications, or letters of inquiry.
The funder accepts requests from a range of organizations, not solely one specific group, such as members of an association.
The funder provides grants. Select product donations, fellowships, training programs, etc. are also included. Funders that only provide scholarships are not included.

Foundation Websites are hugely helpful, but unfortunately not all foundations actually have websites. If they do, study them. You may be able to find details on their missions and giving interests, past grants including amounts and purposes, application guidelines, names of officers and staff. Read everything on the website. The more thorough your research, the better equipped you will be to make contact with the foundation.

Foundation Tax Returns. These are called 990-PFs, are public information, and for researching the many foundations that don’t have websites, they’re absolutely essential. Use Candid 990 Finder : Free, no registration required.

State and Regional Directories. Organizations and publishers have developed state-level foundation directories for most states or regions. Some are in print format and some are free online. Use a web search engine to look for a foundation directory for your state.

The Grantsmanship Center’s State Grant Resources webpage provide both government and private funder information—It’s free and requires no registration.

STRUCTURING A SEARCH FOR PRIVATE GRANTMAKERS

Use the available research tools to search for private grant makers that align with the mission and priorities of your organization, and that fund in the geographic region you serve. Use the key word lists you’ve developed, and don’t limit your research only to grantmakers who are appropriate for an immediate funding need. Instead, develop a repository of information that can support your organization’s work for the long-run.

Start by using a good database, and then use the 990-PF tax returns to fill in the blanks where necessary.

As you examine information on grantmakers, keep these questions in mind.

Do they limit funding to specific geographic areas?
Are their expressed areas of interest aligned with those of your organization?
What’s the typical grant award amount for an organization such as yours?
Do they accept unsolicited applications? If they don’t, a relationship is critical.
Does the foundation have staff? Those who do are more approachable than the large percentage that don’t.

Even the most extensive databases available do not show every grant that a funder has made, to whom, and in what amount–and that information is critical. So unless a foundation maintains a thorough website or publishes a full annual report, the only place you’ll find that information is in its tax return. Information about grant awards is found in Part XV, Line 3 or on a list, attached to the end of the return.

As you move along in your research, analyze what you’re finding and strategize about how you can use it. Do you see grantmaking trends? Can you find connections with foundation officers or staff members? The more you know about a foundation, the better prepared you are to talk to its staff and board members and, ultimately, to submit a proposal.

Doing the research to identify funders may seem like an unnecessary hurdle that takes too much time and effort. But finding grantmakers that are aligned with your mission, geography, and goals will contribute to your grant success so that your organization can make a difference in people’s lives.

We hear the words "grant writer" and "grant writing" all the time. But how about swapping those words for something better—more accurate, more effective, and all-inclusive?

Who cares? Why get picky with this language? Because we know words matter, affecting how we think and ultimately impacting what we do.

The field of grant development, formally initiated in 1972 with training by The Grantsmanship Center, has grown, evolved, and become more complex, touching a vast number of lives. We get it, “grant writer” is often meant as shorthand, an abbreviation used by busy people moving mountains to make the world better. Here’s why we'd like to change this terminology:

First, it’s incorrect.

If you’re a grantmaker, then you write grants. But if you’re trying to get grant funding, then you write proposals or applications, not grants. And a more accurate title might be: grant proposal writer, grant developer, grant specialist, development specialist, grant professional , or something else. But not “grant writer.” Grantmakers write grants.

It’s a misdirect.

“Grant writing” implies that the “grant” (the award) plus “writing” sums it all up. It can inadvertently trigger chasing money instead of pursuing impact—a counterproductive, even dangerous approach.

What matters more than the money is what your program will accomplish—the results—the outcomes you’re proposing. Sure, money’s a factor—a tool—but it’s just not the most important ingredient.

And it’s misleading because developing a successful grant proposal requires so much more than writing. Yes, writing is certainly part of it, but writing is the culmination of a more complex planning process. Critical thinking, logic, data, and a sense of humanity inspire funders to award grants. Careless thinking, with faulty assumptions and bloviated claims, leads to declines, no matter how lovely the written words.

“Grant writer” suggests that people simply put words on a page to get money—like pulling a rabbit out of a hat. It doesn’t work that way.

It shortchanges people and the process.

You'd never intentionally disrespect colleagues or the people you serve, right? Of course not! But this terminology does just that by leaving out key people and essential processes.

Successful grant proposals rely on solid program planning, research, and teamwork. They show an understanding of the community, its needs, and the causes of the problems it faces. It’s a thoughtful process, which at its best is logical, culturally sensitive and inspired by a drive to help others.

Funders ask: “What about the people you serve—did you engage them in planning?” Those people, your beneficiaries, are critical to this process. When their vision, voices, and experience are neglected or left out, a project is usually doomed.

And what about program staff? Ever heard the wails after a grant was awarded and program staff who weren’t consulted asked, “You want us to do what ?”

When administrators and the board are overlooked or ignored, valuable insight, guidance, and muscle are lost. They're left feeling blindsided and the work may be jeopardized. Other community leaders and organizations also have a stake in your work. Collaborations that include their energy and knowledge will benefit everyone.

Developing an effective grant proposal depends on connecting with people, getting informed, listening to various viewpoints, juggling disparate personalities and priorities, building coalitions, being an advocate, and ultimately creating and articulating a compelling plan for action that reflects the community. It's so much more than just writing. When the process succeeds, it's because it wraps its arms around everyone, authentically meeting community needs so that grant funding actually helps make positive change.

Whatever your job title —proposal writer, program planner, development director, executive director, grant professional, board member, volunteer, or something else—we know that your hours are often long as you bring vital change to your community. Thank you for your passion, hard work and dedication—for what you contribute and accomplish every day!

We wish you great success and satisfaction!

Want more? The Grantsmanship Center has a wealth of resources for you! For more than 50 years, we’ve served nonprofits, academia, government, and Native American groups by providing training and the textbook, Grantsmanship: Program Planning & Proposal Writing . Choose a training to fit your budget, schedule, and experience and join 150,000+ alumni helping to build a better world!

Managing Your Grant Nuts, Bolts, Coffee

Everyone is elated! All the planning and research paid off and your organization has been awarded its first grant. Whether it’s a $500,000 grant from the US government or a $10,000 grant from a private foundation, now’s the time to lay essential groundwork to ensure grant funds will be spent and accounted for as required, and that program obligations will be met. Welcome to the world of grants management.

The Initial Paperwork

As you might imagine, government grants come with more red tape than foundation or corporate grants. For government grants, your top executive officer or board chairperson must usually sign and return documents accepting the grant award and agreeing to reporting and fund draw-down requirements, as well as any other special requirements that have been attached to the funding. This is strictly a business transaction—there’s no need to send along a warm letter of appreciation. Be sure to return paperwork by the required deadline.

Corporations and foundations sometimes require that officers sign a letter accepting the grant award, but often they don’t—a check simply arrives in the mail with a letter of congratulations laying out the expected reporting requirements. If you’re expected to return a signed acceptance document, do so promptly and be sure to include a letter expressing appreciation, acknowledging any reporting requirements, and inviting the funder for a visit. While this is a business transaction, it’s also a starting point for building an ongoing relationship of trust, commitment, and support.

Establish both an electronic and hard-copy file for each grant your organization receives. Since so much business done electronically, be sure that e-documents and emails are organized for easy access–and be sure electronic documents are backed-up in case of a failure in technology. Place copies of signed grant documents in a hard-copy file, and keep the file updated with subsequent correspondence related to the grant. When an e-document is of particular importance, print it out and file it here as well.

Put the Financial House in Order

To establish your organization’s ability to receive and manage grants, it’s necessary to establish adequate accounting practices and systems.

A primary concept in grants management is that each specific grant award should be accounted for as an “independent cost center.” This means that all income from a grant and expenditures from that grant are accounted for as a distinct, separate category within your accounting system. This is a basic protection against co-mingling all funding into one big pot and losing track of what money paid for what expenditure. Using an “independent cost center” approach helps to ensure that grant funds are spent for the intended purpose and can be fully accounted for at all times.

While this article can’t provide a basic overview of bookkeeping or accounting, the strength and clarity of your organization’s fiscal systems will play heavily into the ability to manage grants. If a strong accounting system is not in place, and if there’s not an expert on staff, seek guidance from someone who knows what they’re doing.

A few of the most basic, most critical rules include:

Only expend funds as laid out in the approved grant budget
Never use funds from a grant for items not included in the grant budget or for purposes other than those described in the grant narrative
If the original budget requires an amendment in order to support the purpose of the grant, contact the funder to get permission before making changes
Support every expenditure with adequate documentation
Use a system of checks and balances so that no one person is solely in charge of the money (e.g., dual sign-offs on expenditure requests and checks).
Keep receipts, documentation, and monthly financial statements well-organized and accessible
Monitor grant expenditures monthly to ensure that over-spending or under-spending can be addressed before the end of the grant period

If your organization doesn’t have a high-quality accounting software package, get one or retain an experienced bookkeeping firm. Strong financial management is essential to the health of your organization and there’s no way to manage grants effectively if the fiscal house isn’t in order.

Review the Grant Proposal

In the euphoria of receiving grant funds, staff members can forget to review the grant proposal to refresh their memory on the specifics laid out in the narrative and this can lead to problems. It is not unusual for three to nine months to pass between submission of a proposal and receipt of an award. Nobody’s memory is that good.

Upon receipt of an award, call a meeting of the executive, fiscal, and program staff who will be involved and review the grant document to ensure a common understanding of exactly what must be done. If the grant included a thorough Methods Section with a detailed time-line assigning responsibility for major tasks, that will be extremely helpful.

If the proposal didn’t include that, now’s a good time to hammer out those details. By reviewing the proposal thoroughly and making sure all elements are implemented as planned, you’ll be laying the groundwork for success and avoiding major problems that are inevitable when grant implementation drifts off course from the original plan.

Understand Rules and Regulations

While all grants management requires checks, balances, documentation, fiscal controls, and the like, there is no doubt that grants from government agencies are especially demanding.

If you have received a grant from a federal government agency, be sure you study that agency’s rules and regulations regarding grants, and that you also study the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular that specifies the administrative rules regarding grants to an organization such as yours (i.e., nonprofit organization, hospital, educational institution, municipality, etc.). If the agency doesn’t provide you with a grants management document or booklet, ask if they have one and if so, get it. OMB Circulars can be found at www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars .

If you don’t understand something, figure out who can provide you with accurate information and call them. If you are overwhelmed, retain a consultant to determine exactly what you need to do and to help you get the necessary systems set up.

Schedule Reports

Almost all grants require that financial and program progress reports be submitted according to a schedule. With the hectic work pace that often accompanies receipt of a grant award, it’s critical to establish a system for recording when reports are due and then reminding responsible staff of upcoming deadlines. If staff members realize that reports are due within a week, or are past due, it’s not possible to do a high-quality job. Poor or late reporting will damage your organization’s credibility with the funder.

Even if a funder does not demand reports, provide them. It’s good business practice, enhances credibility, and helps to build a solid relationship with the funder. You can establish your own reporting calendar in this situation, but take it seriously and make sure you provide information at the six- and twelve-month points at a minimum. If you’ve never done a grant report, and the funder hasn’t provided a format, include the following information:

Financial overview: explain the grant’s status including income, expenditures by line-item, and funds remaining
Program implementation: Update the funder on was originally planned and what has been accomplished to date
Program Outcomes: The best evaluation plans measure program results as the grant work progresses, rather than at the end of the period of grant support. Provide the funder with information on evaluation activities and on the degree to which the program is producing the results that were expected.
Change of Plans: If an alteration of the planned approach is needed to achieve the best outcomes, explain what you need to change and why. If the alternation is major or will result in budget changes, you’ll need to request a meeting or phone call with the funder.
Challenges, Successes, and Lessons: If your organization has encountered specific challenges in implementing the program, or has had great success in some area, let the funder know. And if there are lessons that have been learned that will inform the future work of your organization, explain that as well.
Attachments: Attaching pictures, news clips, letters from the people benefitting from the program, or other relevant information can bring the report alive and engage the funder more deeply. Don’t overdo it, and don’t do it at all if the funder asks you not to.

Reports, like any other important documents, must be passed up a chain of command for sign-offs before being submitted. When establishing the reporting calendar, schedule in time for submission of drafts to supervisors, draft revisions, and final sign-off.

An Outlook or other electronic calendar can be used to schedule reports and remind staff members of deadlines, and a master reporting calendar can be established on a spreadsheet. Just be sure that someone is minding that shop.

Don’t Forget Partner Organizations

Most grant proposals include some sort of collaboration with other organizations. These partnerships are usually critical to implementing a program and sometimes involve the sharing of grant funds through subcontracts. When the funded proposal includes partnerships with other organizations, it’s critical to make a strong start together and avoid misunderstandings. To accomplish that:

Immediately inform partner organizations that your organization has been awarded the grant.
Provide partner groups with a copy of the grant proposal, or at least with that portion of the proposal that spells out their involvement in the program’s implementation.
The amount of funds to be provided, and the payment schedule (funds should be provided incrementally in response to deliverables)
Reports required and deadlines
Services to be delivered and timeline
Consequences of non-compliance with contract agreements
Hold a meeting of partners to celebrate the grant award, to review each organization’s role, to agree on reporting deadlines, and to finalize start-up plans. Be sure the discussions are recorded.

Announce it to the Community

A grant award increases your organization’s capacity to serve the community and shows that funders are willing to invest in its work. Some funders request that their grant contributions be announced to the public, but even when they don’t, it’s a good idea. Let the public know what’s happening, highlight your organization’s commitment to the cause, and publicly thank your funder for the support. It’s a good investment in community relations and funder relations, and may even help build future support for what you’re doing.

Student and teacher review an assignment

Grant Development and Proposal Writing Certificates

Increase your confidence to secure funding opportunities in this competitive environment. Put yourself and your organization at the head of the curve by becoming a certified grant writing expert.

for each certificate

100% virtual

through Zoom and online assignments

12-15 hours

of coursework per week

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New to grants start here, grant development: state and foundation proposals.

Securing funding for nonprofit organizations can be extremely competitive. Nonprofits need compelling proposals to receive the grants they need to achieve their missions. Whether you are a student or working professional, you will benefit from instruction by an experienced grant writer with real-world experience as they guide you through the step-by-step processes for a state and foundation proposal.

The overall strategic plan for writing grants will be addressed, including the needs statement, mission, goals, objectives, evaluation, key personnel, outcomes and budgets. During this seven-week certification program, the knowledge specialist will use interactive exercises, lectures, and discussions to demonstrate how to research and write your specific project. This is a fast-paced and intensive course.

The following textbook is required for this certificate program:

Smith, Nancy Burke & Works, E. Gabriel (2012). The Complete Book of Grant Writing: Learn To Write Grants Like A Professional. Sourcebooks, Inc. Naperville, IL. ISBN-13: 978-1-4022-67291

Participants who successfully complete the Grant Development: State and Foundation Proposals certificate will receive a discount of 25% off the full price of the next immediately scheduled Advanced Grant course.

Ready for the next level?

Advanced grant development: federal proposals.

The seven-week Advanced Grant Development: Federal Proposals Certificate is designed to provide the participant with the resources, expert-guided practice, and mentoring to be able to write a competitive federal grant proposal. In addition to working in small groups with an experienced grant writer, participants will also have the added bonus of receiving a personalized proposal review by the knowledge specialist prior to submission for a federal grant, as well as packaging a professional grant submission, grants management, and grants.gov.

Participants enrolling in this certificate must have advanced writing skills and previous experience in writing both state and foundation grant proposals. The following counts as acceptable experience: taking a previous college-level course or professional development course focusing on writing state and foundation grant proposals; having prior experience with a nonprofit organization writing grant proposals for state and foundation grants is also acceptable. This is a fast-paced and intensive course.

The following two textbooks are required for this certificate program:

Kester, Cheryl L., Cassidy, Karen L. (2015). In The Trenches: Writing To Win Federal Grants. Charity Channel Press. Nashville, TN. Printed book: ISBN: 978-1-938077-61-6

Grant Development: State and Foundation Proposals Certificate

Foundations of grant development and proposal writing.

Explore, discuss and apply fundamental concepts to enhance your knowledge and preparation of and for the rigors of state and foundation grant proposals.

Proposal Exploration

Next, you will build upon the basic knowledge presented in the first two weeks and focus on strategies of presentation style, messaging, cohesiveness and tone. Course topics emphasize writing from the perspective of the funder, use of a grant development team and developing an accurate mid-level budget. Participants will create an intermediate level proposal using a Common Grant Application. Participants can also expect to gain a greater understanding of how funders review, rate, rank and award proposals.

Proposal Application and Grant Management

This section explores state-level and large foundation grant opportunities, and challenges the participant to advance their research, project design, evaluation plan and reporting mechanisms. More advanced budget exercises further advance the skills and knowledge required to develop multi-year budgets and complex in-kind support. Participants can expect to research, evaluate and revise some larger grant proposals using the information provided in the course.

Offering a unique full-cycle grant writing experience, this intensive seven-week certificate is designed to provide you with the resources, expert-guided practice and mentorship to produce a highly competitive federal grant proposal. You will learn how to work with grants.gov, package a final grant submission and manage a federal grant once awarded.

Participants enrolling in this certificate must have advanced writing skills and previous experience in writing both state and foundation grant proposals.

Format and cost

The Grant Development: State and Foundation Proposals Certificate and the Advanced Grant Development: Federal Proposals Certificate are both seven-week courses. You should expect approximately 12-15 hours per week of coursework.

During both certification classes, students will write their own grant proposals. Each week in the courses, students write and develop a portion of the proposal application they are working on. These are fast-paced and intensive courses. Students should have proficient writing skills and are required to keep up with weekly assignments before they can move on to the next section of the grant application.

Participants must begin the class with a pre-identified organization for which they will be writing a proposal. This can be a nonprofit for which they work or a community need for which you want to write a proposal. To be successful in the course, it is essential to be able to:

Retrieve detailed information from that nonprofit, such as the nonprofit’s mission, programming, budget or 990 forms.
Have personal knowledge from a previous volunteer or employment situation with a nonprofit or from online research to generate a budget based on the needs of the nonprofit, the project or the community.
Have proficient language and writing skills.

Certificate costs

State and Foundation Proposals:

With Early Bird discount: $1,149
Without discount: $1,197

Federal Proposals:

With Early Bird discount: $1,199
Without discount: $1,325

The Early Bird discount ends two weeks before the program's start date. Participants who successfully complete the first Grant Development certificate will receive a discount of 25% off the regular price of the next immediate Advanced Grants program.

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to common questions about our two grant development certificates.

Review the FAQs

Credentialing

Nonprofit Management Institute

Select Section

Flexible online learning

The ASU Lodestar Center's Nonprofit Management Institute offers courses in an interactive online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year.

Program contact information

If you have questions related to this program, please use the contact information below and a program manager will get in touch with you directly.

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Home › Proposal Writer Certification

Proposal Writing Certification TM

Online Self-paced

study 4 hours/week to finish in 10 weeks:

we're always adding new lessons

3 courses + capstone project

65 video lessons + assignments + quizzes

Request Syllabus

Get your syllabus, why you should become a certified proposal writer, early in your career, you can waste months trying to learn more skills to write winning proposals. despite all of your efforts, you’re completely lost because you:.

Lack a formal background in proposal writing
Find courses that don’t focus on writing skills, only theory.
Don’t have insider tips on proposal formatting

To become a better proposal writing professional, we went down the rabbit hole to understand what it takes to build successful proposals from the inside out. We interviewed thought leaders within the industry, learned the behaviors and habits of successful proposal writers, and documented our experience writing winning proposals. Empowered with this knowledge, we’ve helped many become successful proposal writers.

The Proposal Writing Certification Course was created for aspiring proposal writers or people who want to generate lots of revenue through proposals. In this course, we teach: fundamentals of proposal writing, how to write a great proposal, how to format proposals, and how to get proposal writing clients.

What are you going to get from this course?

Over 70+ lectures, 10+ downloadable grant writing templates, and exclusive interviews (more added over time) with grant writing professionals in the industry.
Instructor feedback on your grant proposal.
And you’ll learn key fundamentals of being a grant writer, how to write epic grant proposals, and how to stand out as a better candidate to land the job including topics like:
Access to downloadable templates used by actual grant writers on the job.
Learn the process of answering the most popular grant writing interview questions in order to stand out as a grant writing candidate.
Earn a certificate of completion upon finishing the course

Bonus Content:

I have been 100% committed to adding more BONUS course content and interviews with tech product leaders over time (I love all things Grant Writing and highly enjoy adding content!) and you’ll get FREE LIFETIME ACCESS to all future content!

Testimonials

“I wanted to let you know I signed an offer for my first official technical writing job yesterday! Thanks for your wonderful class and great resources.” – 5/5 stars

– Teena M. , Technical Writing student who now works as a Technical Writer

“While I started the program with zero experience, I realized learning the fundamental concepts isn’t as insurmountable as I initially expected as long as I put in the effort to learn. This program is the one-stop-shop for all technical writing.”

– Angie Or , Mechanical Design Engineer

“Thank you for taking the time to review my work and for the constructive feedback, really appreciate it. And thank you for this great course, I will be referencing it often for sure.”

Christian Quiles , Technical Writing student who now works as a Technical Writer

“The capstone will make a great addition to my writing portfolio. I didn’t realize how much experience companies expect from their technical communication applicants, so having the writing samples and insight from this course helps A TON as someone with only one year of full-time work experience. You guys nailed it.”

– Edina Kremic , Project Manager

Your Instructor

Josh is the founder of Technical Writer HQ and Squibler, a writing software. He is considered one of the top product influencers in the world by Product School and one of the top technical writers. He has been writing proposals, software tutorials, manuals, handbooks, and white papers for over eight years. He’s garnered over $7 million from proposals that he wrote. And his technical writing has been read by over 200 million people. His work has been praised by LinkedIn and Facebook’s engineering team, Reuters, Inc., and Forbes.

Proposal Writer Certification Course

1 Certificate Program
Exclusive content
Community & (live) events
30-day money-back guarantee
9 Certificate Programs
Competency assessments with quizzes and tests

Earn Your Certification

Introduction, section two, section three, section four, section five, section six, section seven, certification, this course has no prerequisites and you do not need a writing background.

You should NOT take this course if:
You are already an experienced proposal writing professional
You aren’t willing to spend 30 minutes every day for about a month to complete course content
You SHOULD take this course if:
You are curious about proposal writing and want to learn more about the role and responsibilities
You have no prior experience and you want to transition into a proposal writer role
You are trying to determine if the technical writer role is right for you
You are beginning your career in tech or are making a career change

AI Proposal Writing Certification Course

Our alumni work at these companies.

What the Course Looks Like

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why should i enroll, + - are there any prerequisites.

There are no prerequisites to apply for the TWHQ’s Certified Proposal Writer Course. You don’t need a writing or proposal background to take the courses either. Having a background in writing will help you better understand the course material; however, we still encourage those who are new to writing, to still apply.

+ - How can managers and recruiting staff verify my course completion?

Each course completion comes with a unique URL that you can provide to whomever it may concern. This URL will redirect to a Proposal Writing source where the interested parties can verify your status.

+ - When does the course start and finish?

This course is intentionally structured so it can be completed over the course of just 1 month. It is a completely self-paced online course – you decide when you start and when you finish, but we highly encourage you to complete at least a few lessons a day so that you can finish the course at the end of the month.

+ - How long do I have access to the course?

How does lifetime access sound? As mentioned before, we are 100% committed to adding even more bonus content (we love all things technical writing and enjoy adding content) as well as bonus interviews with awesome technical writing leaders. After enrolling, you will have FREE LIFETIME ACCESS to all of it for as long as you like – across any and all devices you own.

+ - What if I am unhappy with the course?

We would never want you to be unhappy. If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

+ - How and where can I show my certification course completion?

Once you complete the course, you will receive a digital badge that you can download and print out. You can also apply the e-documents to your social media channels or put them up on your personal website.

+ - What is the best proposal writing certification?

The best proposal writing certification depends on personal career goals and industry requirements. Before choosing a proposal writing course, consider if the course provides everything you need to excel in your career. Some reputable proposal writing courses are Proposal Writing Certification by Technical Writer HQ and certifications by the Association of Proposal Management Professionals.

+ - How do you become a professional proposal writer?

To become a professional proposal writer, you need strong writing, communication, and research skills. Furthermore, you require expertise in understanding proposal requirements and creating persuasive narratives. Picking the right course provides all the necessary knowledge and skills to become a professional proposal writer.

+ - What are the 4 types of proposal writing?

The four types of proposal writing are formally solicited proposals, informally solicited proposals, unsolicited proposals, and continuation of renewal proposals. Each requires specific understanding and expertise to create compelling proposals. To become a professional proposal writer, you need strong writing, communication, and research skills. Furthermore, you require expertise in understanding proposal requirements and creating persuasive narratives. Picking the right course provides all the necessary knowledge and skills to become a professional proposal writer.

+ - Do you need a degree to be a proposal writer?

While having a degree is advantageous, it isn’t a strict requirement for a proposal writer. To grow as a proposal writer, focus on relevant writing skills and a solid understanding of the proposal writing process. You can get the required knowledge by taking a proposal writing course and volunteering in an organization that involves proposal writing.

+ - Is proposal writing a good career?

Yes, proposal writing is a rewarding career for individuals who enjoy writing, researching, and collaborating with co-workers. You engage with diverse projects, industries, and clients through proposal writing. But proposal writing is also competitive and demanding, so you must have solid skills and knowledge to have a lucrative career.

+ - What is a Certified Proposal Writer?

A certified proposal writer is an individual who owns a certification that demonstrates expertise in proposal writing. You can receive such a certification by taking a proposal writing course through professional organizations. The certificate validates your proficiency and enhances your credibility as an experienced proposal writer.

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Are You Ready to Transform Your Career?

Become a Certified Proposal Writer

Related Certification Courses

Technical writing certification course, grant writing certification course, ux writing certification course, ai writing certification, xml writing certification course, knowledge management certification course, medical writing certification.

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Leadership & Strategy Development
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Industry Insights
Global Offices
Clients and Case Studies

Shipley Certification

Standing out from the crowd as a business development professional can be difficult. Shipley certification adds value to your experience and education and helps improve your position in the job market. Answers to frequently asked questions can be found here.

Certification requires completion of THREE (3) core courses. Plus, a total of FOUR (4) learning units in related courses:

*Certification requires completion of all core Shipley courses (classroom or online):

• Capturing Federal Business or Capturing New Business (Online) (2 core units) • Managing Federal Proposals or Managing Strategic Proposals (Online) (2 core units) • Writing Federal Proposals or POWeRful Proposal Writing (Online) (2 core units) Or • Business Development Boot Camp (online or in person) (6 core units)

Plus, a total of four (4) learning units in these related courses (classroom or online):

• Pricing-to-Win (2 units) • Winning in the Cost Volume (1 unit) • Qualifying to Win (1 unit) • Winning Executive Summaries, Winning with Task Orders, Winning in Past Performance (1 unit each) • Foundations of Proposal Development; online or OnDemand (1 unit) • Winning Color Team Reviews (1 unit) • APMP Foundation Certification (1 unit) • Any Shipley OnDemand micro-course (1/3-unit each)

*Cost for full certification will depend upon your schedule and how many combination courses you choose. We encourage you to take the courses that suit your professional needs best.

Digital Badges

Upon completion and verification of certification requirements, learners are awarded a certificate and a digital achievement badge at no cost. Digital badges don’t expire, are verifiable, and are sharable on your LinkedIn and other professional sites, including your email signature and CV/resume.

If you claim your badge, you can display it on your LinkedIn profile under Licenses & Certifications. Shipley Certification is a credential valued in our profession. Wear it well! You earned it!

LEARN ONLINE

Free grant proposal writing course, we’ve developed a quick online class for busy learners like you to master persuasive proposal writing skills. this is one of more than 500 free online learning resources for nonprofit professionals on nonprofitready., what you will learn.

Your impactful ideas won’t get off the ground without funding and support. Understanding the grant writing process from start to finish is key to turning your organization’s goals into reality.

This guide covers:

Overview of the grantwriting process

Tips for drafting, editing, and revising your proposal

Common proposal writing mistakes to avoid

New to NonprofitReady? Create your free account and start learning right away.

Online Class

Cornerstone ondemand foundation.

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"This training is very thorough and easy to follow. Even though I was familiar with the material, it was good to review it all in one, organized place. I'll be referring to it often."

NonprofitReady Learner

Blog The Education Hub

https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2024/05/16/new-rshe-guidance-what-it-means-for-sex-education-lessons-in-schools/

New RSHE guidance: What it means for sex education lessons in schools

R elationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) is a subject taught at both primary and secondary school.

In 2020, Relationships and Sex Education was made compulsory for all secondary school pupils in England and Health Education compulsory for all pupils in state-funded schools.

Last year, the Prime Minister and Education Secretary brought forward the first review of the curriculum following reports of pupils being taught inappropriate content in RSHE in some schools.

The review was informed by the advice of an independent panel of experts. The results of the review and updated guidance for consultation has now been published.

We are now asking for views from parents, schools and others before the guidance is finalised. You can find the consultation here .

What is new in the updated curriculum?

Following the panel’s advice, w e’re introducing age limits, to ensure children aren’t being taught about sensitive and complex subjects before they are ready to fully understand them. 

We are also making clear that the concept of gender identity – the sense a person may have of their own gender, whether male, female or a number of other categories – is highly contested and should not be taught. This is in line with the cautious approach taken in our gu idance on gender questioning children.

Along with other factors, teaching this theory in the classroom could prompt some children to start to question their gender when they may not have done so otherwise, and is a complex theory for children to understand.

The facts about biological sex and gender reassignment will still be taught.

The guidance for schools also contains a new section on transparency with parents, making it absolutely clear that parents have a legal right to know what their children are being taught in RSHE and can request to see teaching materials.

In addition, we’re seeking views on adding several new subjects to the curriculum, and more detail on others. These include:

Suicide prevention
Sexual harassment and sexual violence
L oneliness
The prevalence of 'deepfakes’
Healthy behaviours during pregnancy, as well as miscarriage
Illegal online behaviours including drug and knife supply
The dangers of vaping 
Menstrual and gynaecological health including endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and heavy menstrual bleeding.

What are the age limits?

In primary school, we’ve set out that subjects such as the risks about online gaming, social media and scams should not be taught before year 3.

Puberty shouldn’t be taught before year 4, whilst sex education shouldn’t be taught before year 5, in line with what pupils learn about conception and birth as part of the national curriculum for science.

In secondary school, issues regarding sexual harassment shouldn’t be taught before year 7, direct references to suicide before year 8 and any explicit discussion of sexual activity before year 9.

Do schools have to follow the guidance?

Following the consultation, the guidance will be statutory, which means schools must follow it unless there are exceptional circumstances. 

There is some flexibility w ithin the age ratings, as schools will sometimes need to respond to questions from pupils about age-restricted content, if they come up earlier within their school community.

In these circumstances, schools are instructed to make sure that teaching is limited to the essential facts without going into unnecessary details, and parents should be informed.

When will schools start teaching this?

School s will be able to use the guidance as soon as we publish the final version later this year.

However, schools will need time to make changes to their curriculum, so we will allow an implementation period before the guidance comes into force.   

What can parents do with these resources once they have been shared?

This guidance has openness with parents at its heart. Parents are not able to veto curriculum content, but they should be able to see what their children are being taught, which gives them the opportunity to raise issues or concerns through the school’s own processes, if they want to.

Parents can also share copyrighted materials they have received from their school more widely under certain circumstances.

If they are not able to understand materials without assistance, parents can share the materials with translators to help them understand the content, on the basis that the material is not shared further.

Copyrighted material can also be shared under the law for so-called ‘fair dealing’ - for the purposes of quotation, criticism or review, which could include sharing for the purpose of making a complaint about the material.

This could consist of sharing with friends, families, faith leaders, lawyers, school organisations, governing bodies and trustees, local authorities, Ofsted and the media. In each case, the sharing of the material must be proportionate and accompanied by an acknowledgment of the author and its ownership.

Under the same principle, parents can also share relevant extracts of materials with the general public, but except in cases where the material is very small, it is unlikely that it would be lawful to share the entirety of the material.

These principles would apply to any material which is being made available for teaching in schools, even if that material was provided subject to confidentiality restrictions.

Do all children have to learn RSHE?

Parents still have the right to withdraw their child from sex education, but not from the essential content covered in relationships educatio n.

Sharing and comments

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The Education Hub is a site for parents, pupils, education professionals and the media that captures all you need to know about the education system. You’ll find accessible, straightforward information on popular topics, Q&As, interviews, case studies, and more.

Please note that for media enquiries, journalists should call our central Newsdesk on 020 7783 8300. This media-only line operates from Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm. Outside of these hours the number will divert to the duty media officer.

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#ProudToBeAPMP

APMP IS YOUR ASSOCIATION IF YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WINNING NEW WORK OR RETAINING WORK FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION.

Welcome to the best career move you’ll ever make.

You’re joining the most influential worldwide network of bid and proposal professionals. Finally, you’ve found your home at the Association of Proposal Management Professionals. APMP membership will elevate you professionally, connect you with others globally, and give you access to industry resources you can’t get anywhere else. APMP is your industry’s one-stop for career advancement.

Types of Membership

Anyone involved with winning business for their organization.

You can save money by bundling your annual APMP purchases into a single package. Best for when signing up staffs of 8 or more.

Retired but wish to remain involved with the APMP community.

To qualify for an APMP Student Membership, you must be currently enrolled full- or part-time in an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting university, college, community college, or approved apprenticeship program.

APMP Individual Membership Benefits

You are not alone. APMP consists of a global network of professionals who understand what you do and the challenges you face. When you join, it also gives you access to colleagues in your area through your local chapter.

It's a small investment that could make a tremendous impact on your career (and your life).

What's In It For You?

Collaborative in-person events across the world that are designed to help you win more
A chance to challenge yourself and prove your worth through the industry’s only certification/accreditation program
24/7 access to dozens of industry webinars
24/7 access to APMP’s Body of Knowledge – The Encyclopedia of Winning
24/7 access to hundreds of news articles on WinningTheBusiness.com, the official news network for the bid and proposal industry
24/7 access to our Career Center to help you find new talent
Chapters to learn and network close to where you live and work
Deeper connections through Affinity Groups to celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion
Industry reports and research
A global professional network of more than 10,000 bid, proposal, and business-winning people just like you

APMP Corporate Membership Benefits

With APMP’s Corporate Membership packages, there’s no need to pick which proposal team members will benefit from APMP membership. By bundling your annual purchases with APMP into a single package, you can extend APMP benefits to your entire team and potentially save money for your company in the process.

Why Invest in a Corporate Membership for Your Organization?

APMP Corporate Membership is a sign of your commitment to the success of your team and the profession. Whether you’re a team of 8 or 80, APMP is your direct connection to winning more.

Benefits of Corporate Membership include:

Bundling memberships, event registrations, and certification exams can offer cost savings
Chapter affiliation, which can be customized depending on your team’s needs
A single invoice for your annual APMP membership package
The ability to shift “seats” among teammates as your personnel change
Entire team access to APMP’s Body of Knowledge resource and best practices library
A recruiting edge with new talent
Member discounts on a range of APMP products and resources
Recognition as an industry leader on APMP’s website and marketing materials

For more information about APMP’s corporate membership packages, contact Marisela Guzman, Membership Manager, at [email protected] .

The Leaders in Industry Professional Development

Would you like to know which companies in the proposal and bid management profession are supporting employees’ professional development with APMP membership?

See the current line-up of APMP Corporate Members.

APMP Retiree Member Benefits

Just because you've retired doesn't mean you can't still benefit from staying connected to our community.

Networking opportunities
Certifications
Educational events and training
Free live and archived webinars
Discounted conference registrations
Join and affiliate with a local chapter
Access to our Body of Knowledge
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APMP Student Member Benefits

If you asked most proposal professionals how they got into their career, it’s likely you’d get some variation of how they “just fell into it” — at first, unsure of exactly what the work entailed, and then, in love with the robust landscape of the profession.

APMP wants to build the next generation of bid and proposal professionals, who have intentionally chosen this rewarding profession while still in school.

There are no requirements regarding your specific area of academic focus (winning business professionals come from a wide variety of areas of study).

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Best Proposal Writing Certification Courses
Best Proposal Writing Certification Course 2022
Proposal Writing Certification Online
Best Proposal Writing Certification Courses
Proposal Writing
Proposal Writing Training

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Essentials Of Writing
A.I. Proposal Textwriter
APMP Foundation Certification
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Certification
APMP CERTIFICATION PROGRAM. APMP offers its members the world's first, best, and only industry-recognized certification program for professionals working in a bid and proposal environment. APMP certification is the global standard for developing and demonstrating bid, proposal, and capture competency.
Learn Essential Proposal Writing Skills
In summary, here are 10 of our most popular proposal writing courses. Create a Business proposal with Visme for businesses: Coursera Project Network. Introduction to Technical Writing: Board Infinity. Better Business Writing in English: Georgia Institute of Technology. Writing and Editing: Drafting: University of Michigan.
POWeRful Proposal Writing (Live, Online)
A certificate is issued upon successful completion of the course, which requires attendance at the live sessions, submission of written assignments and quizzes, and passing a final course exam. This course qualifies for the proposal writing requirement for Shipley Certification and counts as 5 CEUs toward maintaining APMP certification.
PDF The Apmp Certification Program
more, on average, than those without certification. And Proposal Directors with professional certification earned an average $50,000 more than those without certification. Certification can supercharge your earning potential and give you a leg up in career advancement. PROUD TO BE APMP s o-certification! Increase your job prospects
Proposal Writing & Management (+APMP Foundation Exam Prep)
Additionally, this course prepares you for the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) Foundation Level Exam so that you can prove your abilities as a Proposal Writer or Manager. The material is based on the APMP body of knowledge and provides tips and tricks for passing the APMP exam. Topics including market and opportunity ...
Best Proposal Writing Certification Courses
Listed in order starting with our favorite: 1. Technical Writer HQ Proposal Writing Course. Technical Writer HQ's Proposal Writing Certification Course takes first place on our list of top courses. The main appeal of this certification lies in the balance between theory and practice.
Micro-Certifications
APMP Bid & Proposal Writing Micro-Certification (BW-M APMP) The objective of the examination is to enable you to demonstrate an understanding of the APMP Micro-Certification - Bid & Proposal Writing principles, processes, themes, techniques and roles. The exam uses objective test questions, which require you to choose a response to a question from a set of choices, for which the correct answer ...
Introduction to proposal writing
This class will provide you with an overview of how to write a standard project proposal to a foundation. It will include: The basic elements of a proposal; The "do's" and "don'ts" of writing and submitting a proposal; How to follow up whether the answer is yes or no; 30-minute hands-on exercise to develop a proposal outline (in-person classes ...
Online Course: Writing a Proposal from LinkedIn Learning
Customizing the Proposal. Researching the company. Giving complete and specific answers. Using the client's jargon. Being concise. Constructing a reader-friendly design. 5. What to Include. Overview of proposal parts.
Successful Proposal Writing Training Course For All Careers
In this affordable, compact, 150 minutes "Successful Proposal Writing Training Program," we will teach participants how to plan winning proposals and write winning proposals that win more business for you or your employer or organization and build your career and prestige! In under three hours, you will be an expert in writing winning proposals ...
Proposal Writing
Proposal Writing. Now with an updated look and feel! Learn to use POWeR™, a disciplined and repeatable writing process, to develop responsive, compliant, and customer-focused proposals: P lanning - Develop content; analyze perspective audience. O rganizing - Mirror customer's instructions; use 4-Box template.
APMP®
You are a highly effective bid and proposal professional. The APMP Practitioner Exam format: 6 questions. 12-16 question items per question each worth one mark, total of 80 marks. 2-and-a-half-hour examination (150 minutes) no additional reading time. Pass Mark of 40+/80 to pass (50%) Open book, unrestricted materials.
Grant Proposal Writing Classes, Nonprofit & Government Training Programs
GRANTSMANSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM. Get funding for your community. Delivered live, online! In only 5 days learn to find funding and use the world's most successful grant proposal format. Learn by doing! Get expert guidance while you and a team write and review proposals. Novice or professional — sharpen your skillset and jumpstart your career.
Proposal & Grant Writing Certification Classes
You should expect approximately 12-15 hours per week of coursework. During both certification classes, students will write their own grant proposals. Each week in the courses, students write and develop a portion of the proposal application they are working on. These are fast-paced and intensive courses.
Signature APMP Certifications
APMP Foundation-level Certification is the entry level for the APMP Certification Program. Candidates who would like to pursue a Practitioner-level Certification must begin at this level. The exam tests your knowledge of proposal and bid management best practices in 22 entry-level and early career competencies. The exam is:
APMP Foundation Certification-Preparation and Exam
The APMP certification program is the only industry-recognized standard for demonstrated bid, proposal, and capture competency in the world of government contracting. Our prep course trains participants for the refreshed Foundation exam, based on the APMP Body of Knowledge (BoK). We explain best practices for implementing the five groups of competencies, as well as constructive exercises and ...
Proposal Writing Certification
The Proposal Writing Certification Course was created for aspiring proposal writers or people who want to generate lots of revenue through proposals. In this course, we teach: fundamentals of proposal writing, how to write a great proposal, how to format proposals, and how to get proposal writing clients. ...
Certification
Shipley certification adds value to your experience and education and helps improve your position in the job market. Answers to frequently asked questions can be found here.Certification requires completion of THREE (3) core courses. ... • Writing Federal Proposals or POWeRful Proposal Writing (Online) (2 core units) Or • Business ...
Best Grant Writing Courses Online with Certificates [2024]
Online courses can introduce you to the basics of fundraising and nonprofit organizations. Courses that focus on business writing, grammar, and punctuation, can help you enhance writing skills so you can communicate clearly and effectively with clients and in proposals. Learn to draft, edit, and submit high-quality proposals as well. ‎
Professional Grant Writing
In this course, you will become proficient in the proposal and case statement formats used by foundations and government grantmaking agencies. Throughout the course, you will learn about the certification process for grant professionals and write different elements of a complete grant application, culminating in a case statement for your ...
Home
APMP's mission is to be the trusted leader that serves an international community of bid and proposal development professionals. The Association of Proposal Management Professionals is the internationally accepted authority serving and educating those who win business to drive revenue to their organization. It is the industry that serves all ...
How to Write a Project Proposal (Examples & Templates)
Step 1: Write the Executive Summary. Coming up with an executive summary is the first step to take when writing a project proposal. It's a relatively shorter section designed to give investors and stakeholders a brief overview of the most important information about the project.
Free Grant Proposal Writing Course
All 100% free. Topics range from hard skills such as fundraising, grant writing, marketing, volunteer engagement, and program management to soft skills such as leadership, communication, time management, unconscious bias, and diversity and inclusion. NonprofitReady is a signature program of the Cornerstone OnDemand Foundation .
Study Guides & Glossary
APMP Foundation-level Certification Study Guide. ... Writing Business Bids & Proposals for Dummies. Gain the collected knowledge and skills of the professional proposal writer - without having to be one! Discover what the professionals know and apply it to your own business, to improve the way you capture prospects and communicate with ...
New RSHE guidance: What it means for sex education lessons in schools
Relationships, Sex and Heath Education (RSHE) is a subject taught at both primary and secondary school. In 2020, Relationships and Sex Education was made compulsory for all secondary school pupils in England, and Health Education compulsory for all pupils in state-funded schools. Last year, the Prime Minister and Education Secretary brought ...
Join APMP
Bundling memberships, event registrations, and certification exams can offer cost savings; Chapter affiliation, which can be customized depending on your team's needs; ... APMP's techniques on proposal writing are meticulously engineered with real-life examples, and the extensive information available in their Body of Knowledge is a goldmine ...

CAREER GUIDES

Best Proposal Writing Certification Courses

Become a Certified HR Manager

Proposal Writing Certification Course Benefits

Top Best Proposal Writing Certification Courses

1. Technical Writer HQ Proposal Writing Course

How Much Does the Technical Writer HQ Proposal Writing Course Cost?

Who Should Take the Technical Writer HQ Proposal Writing Course?

2. APMP Practitioner-level Certification

How Much Does the APMP Practitioner-level Certification Cost?

Who Should Take the APMP Practitioner-level Certification?

3. APMP Foundation-level Certification

How Much Does the APMP Foundation-level Certification Cost?

Who Should Take the APMP Foundation-level Certification?

4. The Grant Development: State and Foundation Proposals Certificate

How Much Does the Grant Development: State And Foundation Proposals Certificate Cost?

Who Should Take the Grant Development: State And Foundation Proposals Certificate?

5. Grant Writing Certificate By University Of Massachusetts Boston

How Much Does the Grant Writing Certificate Cost?

Who Should Take the Grant Writing Certificate?

Use The Right Proposal Writing Certification Course To Boost Your Skill Set

Proposal Writing Certification Courses FAQ

How Do You Learn Proposal Writing?

Is Proposal Writing Difficult?

What Does a Proposal Writing Certification Involve?

How are Most Proposal Writing Certification Courses Structured?

How Much Do Different Proposal Writing Certification Courses Cost?

Are There Any Dedicated Certifications For Professional Proposal Writing?

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What is a Grant Proposal? Grants as Advocacy, Not Just Asking

Getting the Grant 101 The Essentials

Components of The Grantsmanship Center Model: