Crash Course in Grants answers a fundamental question on many people’s minds: “Is there a grant for my idea, nonprofit, community group, business, creative project, or personal, medical, or family need?”
There are plenty of misconceptions about grants. Pandemics, economic challenges, and a focus on improving social inequities from many funders have brought both opportunities and confusion regarding grants for public benefit.
Nonprofit operations and essential programs
BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) and LGBTQIA+ communities
Creative projects by individual artists and writers
Start-up and established businesses with women, veterans, and minority owners
Personal, medical, and family essential needs, especially for people with disabilities and disadvantages in lower-income communities
This course brings together information from high-demand grant workshops that Katherine has presented, “Is There a Grant for That?” and “Basic Grant Proposal Writing,” for public libraries, community college and university classes, and community organizations. She addresses common questions, shares scenarios to clarify current trends, and provides tools and resources often requested by individuals, nonprofits, and businesses.
Crash Course in Grants includes the following topics, which can be adapted for 2 to 6 instructional hours. Katherine has presented this course for the Community College of Allegheny County Community Education Program, Mon Yough Area Chamber of Commerce, and other organizations.
(1) Definition of a “grant,” how grant funding typically works and sometimes pivots to provide funding for major societal and economic problems.
(2) How to recognize common grant schemes and scams.
(3) Differences between grants and other funding options such as private donors and investors, incubators and accelerators, low-cost loans, corporate sponsors and prizes, government-sponsored social benefit and business promotion programs, crowdfunding, and social media donation platforms.
(4) The grant cycle and funder requirements.
(5) 10 questions to build “ideas” into a lean business plan or pre-proposal plan and estimated budget.
(6) Expanding the pre-proposal worksheet and budget estimate into a short grant proposal and basic budget.
(7) Strengthening parts of a grant proposal.
(8) Finding funding sources.
(9) Brief in-class coaching feedback on short grant proposals and lean business plans.
(10) Extensive updated resource list.
Course handouts include PowerPoints, one-page worksheets for lean business plans and pre-proposals, a budget estimator, and a resource list for nonprofits, businesses, individuals, and families.
Other opportunities for attendees and those who cannot attend this workshop or course:
> Join the Grants Café - providing “hot grant speakers, topics and networking” in a free monthly meetup group for everyone with an interest in learning about grants sponsored by Heart Resources, LLC and other consultants.
> Small businesses located in the Greater Pittsburgh area may be able to start raising funds by contacting your local bank to apply for a low-interest line of credit. Other options include contacting New Sun Rising, Bridgeway Capital, Small Business Development Corporations, and Entrepreneurship Programs to learn about local financial assistance.
The GPA Approved Trainer designation is based on an application that includes grant course descriptions, learning objectives, a list of competencies and skills, and positive references from participants. Renewal is required every three years.
The GPC is the only grant credential recognized by a nationally-accredited body and confirms mastery of the knowledge and practice of grantsmanship through formal validated testing. The GPC has become an industry standard attesting to qualifications and experience better than a college degree or grant training certificate. In 2019, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accredited GPCI and the GPC credential for demonstrating compliance with the NCCA Standards.
The GPC credential requires verification of awarded grants, years of grant experience, and references to take the exam. Maintaining the credential requires upholding ethical standards and accumulating over 100 CEUs by providing grant services and participating in professional development and volunteer service. Renewal is required every 3 years. Verify Katherine FH Heart, GPC at www.grantcredential.org.
Heart Resources LLC is an Endorsing Employer of the GPC credential.
