Learn the essential knowledge and skills to develop effective foundation grant proposals in this four-week course. In this interactive course, you will connect with expert Candid trainers and your peers to learn the practical skills needed to:

• build the key components of a competitive grant proposal to a foundation
• develop a well-organized budget
• identify a targeted list of foundation funding prospects

You will be encouraged to approach your proposal from the funder's perspective and to think critically about what makes a compelling pitch. To accommodate diversity in learning styles, the four weeks are grounded in project-based learning and include individual writing time, self-paced eLearning, live virtual lectures, and small group discussions and peer activities. 

Preparing for the course 

We encourage you to prepare for class by identifying a project for which you would like to seek foundation funding. The workshop will include opportunities to draft a logic model and letter of inquiry that you can use to pursue funding for this project.

With self-paced and live sessions, you should plan to invest a total of 6 to 8 hours per week on the course, broken down in the following way:  

• Weekly 2-hour live and interactive sessions with expert Candid facilitators 
• Video and written instructional content diving deeper into the topics covered in each week’s live session for you to review in your own time 
• Two assignments to support you drafting a need statement and letter of inquiry that you can use when connecting with funders. 

Course at-a-glance 

Week 1: Intro, need statement and analysis
Learn the structure of a grant proposal and develop a need statement.  Draft a need statement for review.  

Week 2: Logic model and Letter of Inquiry
Get an overview of using the logic model framework to craft a project description and evaluation plan. This week will also include an introduction to and review of the letter of inquiry format.  

Week 3: Letter of Inquiry questions and budget
Receive intensive training on developing a project budget. Review the essential components of a full proposal and letter of inquiry. Draft and submit a 1-page letter of inquiry for Week 4’s peer-review exercise.

Week 4: Relationship building and LOI review 

Learn how to research, approach, and cultivate relationships with funders. Engage in expert and peer review of your submitted letter of inquiry. Wrap up with summary exercises and evaluation.

Testimonials

“It was very helpful to sit down and actually work on drafting an LOI. Having peers review and provide feedback was also very beneficial. I would recommend [Proposal Writing Bootcamp] to anyone, regardless of how much experience they have with proposal writing. ” – Melody in Boston, MA; October 2022 virtual Proposal Writing Boot Camp participant

“Having many eyes, inputs, perspectives, and feedback was extremely supportive and clarifying. I now know how to refine, clearly address, and present the information funders and organizations are looking for...I will definitely be taking more courses and have already recommended to others. ” – Aubrey in Willow Creek, CA; October 2022 virtual Proposal Writing Boot Camp participant