Topic	Name	Description
Course Syllabus	Course Syllabus

1.1: What Is a Nonprofit Organization?	The Role of the Nonprofit	Read this section to learn about the roles and purposes of nonprofit organizations.

1.2: How Grant Funding Supports Organizations	What Is a Grant?	Read this definition of grants.

1.3: Steps in the Grant Application Process	The Grant Writing Process	The last step in the process is to apply for funding, which most likely involves writing a grant proposal. Read this article for an overview of the grant proposal process and a sample budget from the academic research perspective. Your approach will often depend on the requirements the grant-funding agency has outlined in its request for proposals (RFP).
	Get Your Project Approved and Funded	Read this description of types of grant proposals to help determine how to approach your search for grant funding. The article also offers a useful overview of the typical sections of grant proposals.
	Grant Lifecycle Timeline	Read this page for a big-picture overview of the grant lifecycle.

2.1: RFP Guidelines	RFP Example 1: Eligibility Requirements	Read this RFP from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Pay close attention to the eligibility requirements here. You should always study eligibility information carefully to make sure your project and organization are eligible to apply before you invest too much time in your proposal.
	RFP Example 2: Instructions	Read this RFP from the National Science Foundation. Notice the succinct instructions on proposal preparation.
	RFP Details	Read this article, which reminds you to pay close attention to every detailed requirement in the RFP. Even basic text formatting can make a difference in the success of your proposal.

2.2: Submission Deadlines	Using Deadlines Strategically	Read this article, which reinforces the importance of planning for deadlines.

2.3: Grant Application Review Process	Writing Tips for Grant Reviewers	Read this article, which explains what reviewers look for in a proposal. Keep how reviewers could perceive your proposal in mind as you write.
	Review Guidelines	Read this RFP from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Focus on section E, which gives information about how proposals will be reviewed.

2.4: Scoring Matrix or Rubric	Scoring Systems and Procedures	Read this example of a scoring rubric. Note the different scoring categories: impact, criterion, and so on.
	Scoring Rubrics	Read this example of a scoring rubric, which guides grant reviewers through the scoring process by posing questions about the grant proposal. This rubric demonstrates how you may have addressed certain proposal elements perfectly, but your overall score will decrease dramatically if you fail to address the required questions or sections listed in the RFP. It also pays to organize your proposal clearly so it is easy for the reviewer to find the required elements and give your proposal the high score it deserves.

3.1: Project Name and Principal Investigator (PI)	Principal Investigator	Read this brief description for a principal investigator (PI) for a grant-funded project.

3.2: Abstract, Project Description, and Cover Letter	Writing a Grant Abstract	Read this article, which describes the basic components commonly requested in a grant abstract.
	Project Summary Abstract Guidelines	Read this document from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which provides tips for writing project summaries/abstracts and two sample abstracts. The text states, "The narrative must not exceed one page, single-spaced, and should briefly describe: 1. the needs that will be addressed, 2. the proposed services, and 3. the client population group(s) to be served."

3.3: Organizational Information or Institutional Narrative	Best Practices in Grant Writing	Read this excerpt, which describes what to include in the organizational information section of your grant proposal. We will return to the full article in Unit 5 for its concise descriptions of the elements in a typical grant proposal.

3.4: Statement of Need	Developing Your Statement of Need	Read this article's overview of grant proposals; focus particularly on the advice for developing your statement of need. We will return to many of the other elements in this article throughout this course.
	Sample Need Statements	This document provides examples of strong and weak need statements. Think about the consistent characteristics of better need statements.

3.5: Goals and Objectives	Objectives, Outputs, and Outcomes	Read this short article, which succinctly differentiates between objectives, outputs, and outcomes.
	Implementation Objectives vs. Outcome Objectives	Read this short article to see the difference between implementation and outcome objectives.
	Aims vs. Objectives	Read this article for its distinction between aims and objectives. It also provides useful advice on "what not to do" with aims and objectives.
	SMARTER Is Better than SMART	Using the SMARTER management framework to write your objectives is a good rule of thumb. Ensure your project's objectives are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bound, evaluated, and recognized. Read this article which was written to help managers prepare to implement a company-wide strategy. Its guiding principles also apply to writing a grant proposal.

3.6: Implementation, Operation, or Management Plan	The Planning Cycle	Read this article about the stages of project planning. Planning should be ongoing and iterative.

3.7: Project Timeline	Timeline Examples	See these examples of simple table and chart timelines from Unit 1.
	Method, Schedule, and Qualifications	Review the following method, schedule, and qualifications sections of this article we read in Unit 1 to reinforce some best practices in project planning.
	Example Implementation Plan	Review this detailed implementation plan for a project at a hospital. It provides a good, concise example of laying out steps, team members, and their responsibilities.

3.8: Budget Summary, Narrative, and Justification	Preparing a Clear Grant Budget and Justification Narrative	Watch this video for guidance on creating a budget and justification for your expenses.
	Budget Justification Tips and Hints	Read this article for additional tips on how to justify your budget. The helpful section on "common mistakes" specifies a few pitfalls to avoid.
	Indirect Cost Overview	Read this article for detailed definitions of direct and indirect costs and cost sharing.
	Cost Sharing (Matching Funds) and Maintenance of Effort	Watch this video, which explains non-federal matching funds and maintenance of effort for a grant application. Many educational institutions use employee salaries as part of the match.
	Work Plan and Budget Plan	Read this article on how to plan and present a budget. Though different grant proposals may require specific budget formats, this article gives several formatting examples.

3.9: Project Evaluation and Sustainability	Planning Your Project's Evaluation	Read these articles, which offer advice from several experts to help you plan for your project's evaluation.
	Including Data Analysis in Your Grant Evaluation Section	Read this article, which offers an overview of data analysis for your grant evaluation section.
	Assessing the Impact and Outcomes of Projects	Watch this video, which provides program-specific training on the importance of evaluating projects. It demonstrates ways to provide a low-cost evaluation.
	Hiring an Outside Evaluator	In the United States, many federal agencies require their grant-funding programs to hire an external or outside evaluator to review the projects they support to ensure they meet their stated goals and objectives. Remember to build these costs into your budget. Read this article with advice on how to choose an evaluator. It covers a number of factors, including the complexity of the evaluation and the role of professional versus volunteer evaluators.

3.10: Partnering Organizations	Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)	When other partners are involved, you should provide specific, detailed information about their role in your initiative. For example, include a copy of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) – a business document that details the scope, monetary and other contributions, and work they will perform. These details will lend further credibility to your agreement and demonstrate your plan to work together to achieve your project goals. Funders want to see that partners are truly participating and not just lending their name because they are your friends or have similar interests. Read this definition of a memo of understanding.

3.11: Outside Letters of Support	Writing Good Letters of Support for Grants	Read this article for additional advice on specific features for letters of support.

3.12: Award Letters and Funding Announcements	Grant Award Letter	Here is an example of an award letter for a small state grant to a school district. It includes all of the elements we noted above, including several specific guidelines and requirements for the grantee. For example, the grant administrator requests to speak with the grant recipient to discuss the grant's reporting requirements. The grant recipient must also participate in training and networking sessions, administer certain evaluation activities, follow service-learning quality standards, send out a press release to announce their award, and administer two service-learning activities during the upcoming year. Do not jeopardize future funding opportunities by ignoring the award letter's obligations. Pay attention to the specific grant acceptance requirements in this award letter.
	Sample Grant Announcement	Beyond sending out personalized award letters, grant-making organizations frequently distribute press releases and other announcements to publicize your program. This announcement brings attention and recognition to your organization. It can also demand a level of scrutiny and transparency to your organization, which some may find intrusive. Read this example of a press release that lists grant recipients for the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training grant program, which the United States Department of Education and Department of Labor awarded in 2011.

4.1: Funding from Individual Donors	Key Facts on U.S Foundations	Read this overview of funding data from foundations in the United States. Useful infographics present data on different types of foundations, which issue areas receive the most money, and funding by geographical location.
	Creating Sustainable Funding for Your Nonprofit	As part of your search, consider cultivating a relationship with an individual in your community who might help fund your project or organization. It is worth looking for someone with appropriate financial resources who knows or can relate to the people who will benefit from your project. Watch this seminar, which describes a systematic process for engaging individual donors and building lasting relationships.

4.2: Funding from Government	Federal Grants in the United States	Read this article for an additional overview of federal grant opportunities in the United States. Notice the different types of grants, such as block and earmark grants.
	Locating and Choosing a Funding Source	A list of funding sources, including government agencies, foundations, associations, and research centers, is at the bottom of this page. How do you and your organization maintain contact with your elected federal, state, and local government representatives? Their staff can provide invaluable guidance on navigating the government funding process and alert you to available grant funding opportunities. Your government representatives may be able to introduce you to those who work at grant funding organizations or help monitor the progress of your proposal. As we mentioned in Unit 2, these local politicians may write a letter on your behalf, describe the good services your organization provides their constituents, or otherwise support your grant application.
	Lobbying	While the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) prohibits nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations from getting involved in political campaigns, you can "educate" your political representatives about your activities and describe how you help their constituents and contribute to your community. Read this notice from the IRS, which outlines the restrictions on nonprofit organizations' lobbying activities.

4.3: Funding from Foundations	Philanthropic Foundation	Read this listing for more details about the definition, goals, and types of philanthropic foundations, along with several examples of prominent foundations.
	Before Approaching Foundations for Funding: Foundation Facts	Watch this video, which describes four different types of foundations: an independent foundation, a company-sponsored foundation, an operating foundation, and a community foundation. It also discusses the special requirements, foundation giving trends, and the benefits of establishing a foundation (to the donor).
	The Basics of Grant and Prospect Research	Read this article for tips on researching foundations and other types of organizations that offer grant funding. The article lists several tools for both grant research and management.

4.4: Building a Relationship with a Grant-Funding Organization	How to Write a Letter of Introduction	This article presents a brief overview of what a letter of introduction to a grantmaker should include.
	How to Write a Letter of Inquiry	Read this article for a list of the necessary components of a letter of inquiry. It can be used as a template for an LOI.
	Establishing Relationships with Grantmakers	This article gives five basic steps in establishing a relationship with grantmakers. It also offers advice on maintaining that relationship after the initial contact.

5.1: Grant Writing Tips	Writing Research Grants	Watch this video that offers ten tips for successfully winning grants. It focuses on proposals for scientific research, but you can apply its advice to most grant programs.
	Write Your Application	Read this page from the U.S. National Institutes of Health for a thorough overview of the grant process from the perspective of health/science projects.
	Grant Writing 101	Read this succinct summary of grant writing. It provides useful reminders on how to identify funding sources and put together your proposal.
	Ten Ingredients for Writing Research Grant Proposals	Review this academic article on research grant proposals. It specifies "ten key ingredients" for scientific proposals, which can also be relevant to grants in other fields.
	Twelve Steps to Writing Competitive Grant Proposals	Watch this video for an extensive discussion of how to write a competitive grant proposal. The video walks you through a step-by-step process, with useful advice at each stage.
	Grant Writing Overview	Watch this video for a short lecture with a practitioner's advice on good grant writing.
	Best Practices in Grant Writing	Let's return to this article we read in Unit 3. It provides a concise review of the typical elements we find in most grant proposals.
	Successful Grant Proposal Tips	Read this article for some big-picture, practical advice that is useful both before you start and after you finish writing your proposal.

5.2: Proofreading, Revising, and Finishing Touches	Proofreading and Revising	Read this article for a step-by-step process to follow as you revise your work. It has useful advice for carrying out multiple rounds of proofreading.
	Giving and Receiving Criticism	When you are satisfied with your corrections, print a copy of the revised rough draft. Recruit a friend, family member, or colleague to read it and give feedback. Most writers solicit feedback from peers before they submit their work to a magazine. Think of this step as a way of doing that. Read this article and share it with your critics to help them give you constructive feedback. Note in particular how to take into account different cultural attitudes toward criticism.

Course Feedback Survey	Course Feedback Survey