Best Free Grant Writing Classes for Nonprofits in 2024

For nonprofits, securing financial funding is key to success. And one of the best fundraising strategies is winning grants—which is easier said than done.

Thankfully, there are plenty of free grant writing classes that you can learn from to up your chances of success.

In this comprehensive guide, we will share a list of the best grant writing classes available and explain how they can add value to your grant writing journey.

Let’s dive in.

Before we delve into the nuts and bolts of grant writing, let's first address a fundamental question: Should you learn grant writing, and is it worth your time and effort?

While grant writing can be a great way to secure money for your nonprofit, it’s also more than that. It gives you an opportunity to make a real impact in your community and beyond. By helping nonprofits access the resources they need, you play a vital role in driving positive change.

But it doesn't end there.

Grant writing can also offer you personal fulfillment and promising career prospects. Statistics show that a career in grant writing is quite lucrative with substantial salaries and strong job growth.
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A career in grant writing is an opportunity to make a difference while building a fulfilling professional life.

Grant writing also comes with its fair set of challenges. However, with the right strategies and practices, the process can become quite rewarding.

Learning grant writing is an exciting journey, but you might need some help figuring out where to start. Fortunately, there are multiple avenues to choose from, each with its unique advantages.

Here's a closer look at the different ways you can embark on your grant writing education journey:

Books

Books are timeless sources of knowledge that can be your companions on your grant writing journey. They offer in-depth insights, comprehensive guides, and the wisdom of experienced authors.

Recommended Titles: Consider books like "The Only Grant-Writing Book You'll Ever Need" by Ellen Karsh and Arlen Sue Fox or "Writing for a Good Cause" by Joseph Barbato and Danielle Furlich.

You can also check out this article to find the best grant writing books of 2023.

Videos

If you're a visual learner, video resources can be a game-changer. Video tutorials and lectures provide dynamic demonstrations of grant writing concepts, making it easier to grasp nuances.

Additionally, YouTube is a treasure trove of grant writing tutorials and recorded workshops.

Recommended Videos: Channels like Funding for Good and The Grantsmanship Center offer valuable content. We are also going to list some of the best video grant writing classes (from Instrumentl) later in the article.

Articles and How-to Guides

Articles and how-to guides provide quick, focused insights into specific aspects of grant writing. They're perfect for those seeking bite-sized information or quick solutions.

Recommended Articles: Instrumentl’s comprehensive blog offers a range of articles and how-to guides covering various grant writing topics—from how to write effective grant proposals to how to win unrestricted grants, ensuring you're well-informed at every step in the grant writing process.

Courses

For a comprehensive and structured approach to grant writing, courses are an excellent choice. They provide a curated curriculum and often come with expert guidance.

Numerous online platforms like Instrumentl offer grant writing courses, allowing you to learn at your own pace. Some courses even offer grant writing certifications.

For beginners looking to learn grant writing, we recommend starting with free grant writing classes and courses. While the free grant writing classes may not cover the breadth of paid courses, they provide an excellent foundation to start your grant writing journey.

Free grant writing classes are also a great starting point as they serve as a low-risk, high-reward entry point into the world of grant writing, equipping you with essential fundamental knowledge and skills to embark on your grant writing journey.

‍Recommended Courses: Keep reading for a list of the best free grant writing courses available.

You may be wondering whether taking a grant writing class is truly necessary. After all, can't you learn the ropes on the job? However, grant writing, like any skill, has its nuances and complexities.
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Without proper grant writing training, new grant writers can face steep learning curves and may struggle to develop effective proposals. That's where classes come in.

A structured grant writing class equips you with the tools and insights needed to navigate the intricate world of grant applications.

Here are some of the common things you can learn from a grant writing class that may be difficult to learn on your own:

• Fundamentals of writing of grant proposals
• Mastering the art of persuasive writing
• Nuances of the application process
• How to tailor your proposal to the funder’s preferences
• How to write a compelling needs statement
• How to develop a budget justification
• Where to find good-fit funders

Fortunately, there are plenty of free grant writing classes that you can take to help you develop these skills.

Instrumentl offers a treasure trove of educational opportunities, and if you're looking to enhance your grant writing skills, we have you covered.

With a variety of free grant courses and recorded classes with industry experts, you can equip yourself with the knowledge and strategies needed to excel in the world of grant writing.
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Instrumentl's classes are designed to empower you with actionable insights and practical skills, making grant writing more accessible and efficient.

Let's explore some of the best free grant writing classes available:

How to Find New Good Fit Funders in Under 60 Minutes

Instrumentl's "How to Find New Good Fit Funders in Under 60 Minutes" is a deep-dive workshop designed to empower you in your quest to secure grants for your nonprofit.

Finding the right funders is the first step toward successful grant applications, and this class is your guide to kickstarting 2024 with fresh grant opportunities.

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In this one-hour workshop led by Will from Instrumentl, you'll gain insights into:

• The profound power of grants.
• The significance of prospect research in your grant-seeking journey.
• 16 essential questions to evaluate good fit funders.
• How to swiftly identify suitable funders using Instrumentl's resources.

What sets this class apart is that all registrants will receive a recording of the session and a copy of the presentation slides. But that's not all—Instrumentl goes the extra mile by offering personalized grant recommendations for every live attendee. By the end of this class, you'll have the tools to create your account and discover new good-fit funders within just an hour.

How to Level Up Your Grant Prospecting in Under 60 Minutes

In the "How to Level Up Your Grant Prospecting in Under 60 Minutes" class, Instrumentl takes your prospect research skills to the next level.

If you've been struggling to find the right funders or prioritize a long list of opportunities, this one-hour webinar is built for you.

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Chandler from Instrumentl will guide you through advanced prospecting strategies, including the utilization of Instrumentl's new Plus Plan features to expedite your research and streamline your grant-writing process.

By the end of this class, you'll know how to:

• Optimize your research by systematically narrowing down and prioritizing funding opportunities.
• Generate actionable insights using available data and information from funders.
• Develop fresh strategies to prospect potential funders.

As with all Instrumentl classes, registrants receive a recording of the session and presentation slides. Moreover, live attendees can benefit from personalized grant recommendations. You'll also gain the ability to create your account to identify new good-fit funders within just an hour.

How to Plan Your 12-Month Grants Calendar in Under 60 Minutes

Creating a meaningful 12-month grants calendar is a pivotal step in ensuring a well-structured approach to grant writing. If you're unsure where to start, Instrumentl's "How to Plan Your 12-Month Grants Calendar in Under 60 Minutes" workshop is here to alleviate your concerns.

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Hosted by Will from Instrumentl, this one-hour workshop covers essential aspects of grant calendars. You'll learn:

• What a grants calendar is and why it's crucial.
• The five reasons why grant calendars play a pivotal role in your grant-seeking journey.
• The five steps to create your grants calendar.
• How to rapidly create your grants calendar using Instrumentl's resources.
• Five common mistakes to avoid when constructing your grants calendar.

Registrants will receive a recording of the workshop and presentation slides, ensuring that you can revisit and reinforce your knowledge. As an added bonus, personalized grant recommendations are offered to live attendees. You'll also gain the ability to create your account to find new good-fit funders within an hour.

How to Use an Agile Framework to Write (and Win) More Grants w/ Diane Leonard

The grant-seeking process can be quite time-consuming and often tedious.

Instrumentl’s free workshop with partner Diane Leonard can help you make the grant writing process more effective through innovative approaches like the Scrum framework to achieve more successful grant applications.

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In this workshop, you'll delve into the power of the Scrum framework and discover how it can enhance your grant writing process by enabling your team to boost the efficiency of application design and manage the iterations of applications.

This pre-recorded workshop will also teach you how to:

• Enhance the efficiency of your grant-seeking process.
• Implement the Scrum framework effectively, leading to more successful grant applications.
• Discover how Instrumentl's platform can simplify and streamline your grant management efforts.

Our course partner Diane H. Leonard, GPC, RST, is a Certified Grant Professional, Approved Trainer, and Registered Scrum Trainer. She and her team have secured over $104 million in competitive grant awards since 2006.

‍Instrumentl Partner Webinars are collaborations between Instrumentl and its community partners to provide free educational workshops for grant professionals. Our goal is to tackle a problem grant professionals often have to solve, while also sharing different ways Instrumentl’s platform can help grant writers win more grants. Click here to save a seat in our next workshop.

By pursuing a career in grant writing, you can make a significant impact on nonprofit organizations and your community. And by investing your time in the resources mentioned in this guide, you'll gain the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the world of grants effectively.

Whether you're a freelance grant writer or part of a nonprofit team, your commitment to learning grant writing will drive positive change and make a substantial impact.

If you’re looking for more ways to advance your grant writing career and take your skills to the next level, make sure to check out our guide to the best paid grant writing courses as well.

The world of grant writing is waiting for you, and we're here to help you at every step of your journey!