grant writing class

marvella · #1 09/24/06, 10:39 PM

our little community is in dire need of someone who can write grants. the idea of taking a class keeps coming to mind, and i'd like to look into it.

where do i begin to look for such things? the community college?

KindredSpirit · #2 09/24/06, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvella

our little community is in dire need of someone who can write grants. the idea of taking a class keeps coming to mind, and i'd like to look into it.

where do i begin to look for such things? the community college?

I think it would be listed under technical writing wouldn't it?

Red Devil TN · #3 09/24/06, 10:56 PM

Where in TN are you? I can try and get a hold of a friend of mine at Vandy and ask, but I think they just use attorneys.

marvella · #4 09/24/06, 11:02 PM

i am in east tn, right at the nc line, along I40. there is tusculum college in greeneville (where i work,) walters state community college in morristown. the nearest university is in knoxville, about 60 miles west. the distance would be prohibitive.

i don't know if it is considered tech writing or not. in college i know the tech writing class was doing incredibly boring things like writing ad copy.

kesoaps · #5 09/24/06, 11:18 PM

Yeah, I think our tech school, or maybe it's the community college, offer grant writing courses. Might give them a call and find out.

Red Devil TN · #6 09/24/06, 11:28 PM

Ouch. Yea, coming anywhere out here is what, 4 hours?

I'd probably start by googling to try and fond some book titles and then look on half.com to see if you can get them cheap.

You can always see if you can write a couple after some work of your own and then just have the town have an attorney review it before submission. Much cheaper.

You may also try and contact the government agency ahead of time and get sopies of previously accepted/paid grants to use as a generic template for that particular agency/subject.

enota · #7 09/25/06, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvella

our little community is in dire need of someone who can write grants. the idea of taking a class keeps coming to mind, and i'd like to look into it.

where do i begin to look for such things? the community college?

The best thing you can do is find someone who has written a sucessful grant application/proposal and ask them if you can look it over. Most people will be more than happy to help. If you can find a class that teaches it (there aren't any around where I live that do), you have no guarantee that the information will get the job done. If you can SEE a successful application and talk to the people who wrote it, then, I think you will learn a lot more good information.

Just a thought anyway.

enota

enota · #8 09/25/06, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Devil TN

Ouch. Yea, coming anywhere out here is what, 4 hours?

I'd probably start by googling to try and fond some book titles and then look on half.com to see if you can get them cheap.

You can always see if you can write a couple after some work of your own and then just have the town have an attorney review it before submission. Much cheaper.

You may also try and contact the government agency ahead of time and get sopies of previously accepted/paid grants to use as a generic template for that particular agency/subject.

Check out http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Book...riting%26x%3D0 (Barnes and Noble Basics Getting a Grant: An Easy, Smart Guide to Writing A Grant Proposal (Barnes & Noble Basics) ) $3.60 at abebooks.com Also, http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Book...riting%26x%3D0
(Grant Writing for Teachers: If You Can Write a Lesson Plan You Can Write a Grant) $2.60 at abebooks

or http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Book...riting%26x%3D0
Webster's New World Grant Writing Handbook (Webster's New World) $6.50 (and about the same at Amazon.com) at abesbooks.com

it's worth a try.

enota

momlaffsalot · #9 09/25/06, 06:56 AM

There are several online colleges that offer courses in grant writing. Google it. I have a link to one if you are interested just let me know and I'll send it to you!

Suburbanhmstedr · #10 09/25/06, 07:15 AM

I'm a former grant writer myself. You might want to check with the nearest United Way office. Most United Ways provide community funding to local grant applicants. While they may not have a formal grant writing course, they might help you through the process.

Chas in Me · #11 09/25/06, 08:07 AM

Check with your state department of Economic and Community Development. They offer grants so they may very well offer grant writing assistance. You may need to have your community sponsor you to get access to their programs, but maybe not.

Also, google The Grantsmanship Center. They have good stuff.
Good luck. Writing grants is what I do and it is a worthwhile job. Lots of satisfaction mixed evenly with frustration and disappointment.

marvella · #12 09/25/06, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suburbanhmstedr

I'm a former grant writer myself. You might want to check with the nearest United Way office. Most United Ways provide community funding to local grant applicants. While they may not have a formal grant writing course, they might help you through the process.

i had to jump in and address this.

the reason i am thinking about it is because the woman who was writing grants for the united way, and her husband, were recently caught funneling all the money into remodeling their restaurant. so, no help there! i hate durn carpetbaggers, but we are plagued by them now and then.

that's to all! that's some good places to start. maybe i can teach myself, instead of having to commute for a class.

reddevil in tn- where ya at in tn??

sisterpine · #13 09/25/06, 09:00 AM

i took a couple of grant writing classes years ago, one was "staff writing" and the other was "grant writing" both at the local community college. Have since written many successful grants too.

KindredSpirit · #14 09/25/06, 09:16 AM

Here is some info that may be of some help if you are just wanting to write one proposal for your company:

http://www.research.ku.edu/kucr/howto/writing.shtml

RedHairedBonnie · #15 09/25/06, 03:13 PM

I took a class through the community development office, as stated above. Through networking from that class, the juvenile justice department also has classes. It's a shame about the people from the united way, they were another resource. Cooperative extension (4-H dept of ag) has offered them also.

Good luck in your quest.

dale · #16 09/25/06, 06:50 PM

some other places you might go to in your state is
DNR ( i know that is a hated government office) You probably need to ask for the CDBG Community Development Block Grant office some times they do training.
Or atleast tell you where in your area

USDA Rural Development They write grants all the time and may know of a place to get training.

Those are the places we deal with here at or town.
I just received a grant for our city last thursday. To have new firehydrants put in.

dale

bare · #17 09/25/06, 07:16 PM

I don't understand the mystery behind grant writing and why one needs to take classes.

I've written a number of them for non-profits and had better than a 90% success rate.

Seems pretty basic to me, the grantees give you information on what the have available, their requirements and any other information you should have.

Keep it clear and concise. Need, what you are going to do with it, and appreciation for consideration. All speled rite.

BaronsMom · #18 09/26/06, 06:45 AM

I took a weeklong, hands-on grant writing class - at the end you had a good start on a possible grant. It was through the Grantsmanship program...kind of pricey.

http://www.tgci.com/

Prior to taking the class I was also successful with a couple of large grant awards ($500,000). But taking the training was helpful because you end up with additional contacts, ideas, resources. And some people learn better in this type of format instead of starting out on their own.