Timeliness   The slumping economy poses new challenges for grant seekers. This training will prepare participants to successfully navigate the world wide web, placing them in a position to capitalize on available and emerging funding opportunities.

Size   Each session involves up to 10-15 participants. This small class size allows a high level of participation. Individual and small group writing exercises supplement presentations by the instructor. Participants have many opportunities to learn, including opportunities to learn from others in the class.

Pace   The Basic Grant Writing session runs two-and-a-half days; the Intermediate session, three full days. Pace of the training is actually set by the participants themselves. Questions are encouraged and discussion expected. The emphasis is on learning.

Topics   Each session is researched with the participants in mind. Every effort is made to customize the training to address issues the participants are likely to encounter as they develop grant proposals on the job. Every effort is made to incorporate examples that are timely and relevant. In fact, participants outline or draft proposals based on RFPs in their fields of interest. They also review and evaluate a grant proposal submitted by a non-profit organization and funded by the federal government. The training is designed for those working in both the public and private sectors.

Manual   The training manual is organized according to the grant writing process, beginning with searching for funds. Participants use computers to search for funds on the Internet. They also learn how to plan and organize before writing a proposal. The Manual is comprehensive, covering eight proposal sections commonly required by grant makers: Need Statement, Goals and Objectives, Methodology, Evaluation Plan, Budget Plan, Continuation Plan, Introduction, and Summary. The Manual provides step-by-step guidance on how to conceptualize, develop, and complete each of these sections. The final chapter explains how to compile and submit a grant document to the funding source.

Cost   The Basic Grant Writing course costs $525 per participant; the Intermediate course, $625 per participant. This equates to $105 for three-and-a-half hours of professional instruction, a relatively small investment when compared to the potential for generating income from well-written and competitive grant proposals. Moreover, participants receive a $25 discount for early registration.

Follow-up   The instructor, Thomas A. Jones, is a Michigan-based consultant. His office is in East Lansing. Participants can easily contact him for guidance if they run into grant writing problems after completing the training.