11 Best Grant Writing Classes 2025: Reviews and Pricing
The competition for grant money is fierce. With so many nonprofit organizations vying for each pot of funding, it’s essential to have a competitive edge to get the grant you need. One way to bolster your chances of success is by enrolling in one or more grant writing classes.
Do you want to learn how to start writing more effective grant proposals? If yes, then this is the article for you. Grant writing is a skill that can take years to master. On top of mastering grammar and research skills, understanding what funders seek in a proposal takes time.
Many options are available to help you find the best online courses, but this article will help make your search easier.
11 Best Grant Writing Classes Online
This vetted list is organized by accredited grant writing classes, institution, pricing, and duration.
1. Grant Writing Certification – Technical Writer HQ
Duration: 20 hours
Price: $199
Technical Writer HQ’s Grant Writing Certification is excellent for those who want actionable advice and practical knowledge. The course covers every aspect of writing a winning grant proposal. Moreover, it covers building relationships with funders and presenting your proposal.
The best part is that the course includes actual instructor feedback on a grant proposal you create. This way, you can get the most out of this course. The course also has homework to help you write grant proposals.
For more information and to enroll, check out Grant Writing Certification by Technical Writer HQ.
2. Fundamentals of Grant Writing (University of Georgia)
Duration: 24 hours
Pricing: $159
The Fundamentals of Grant Writing certification course covers every critical concept a professional grant writer should know. It teaches practical grant writing skills and covers specific aspects, including research, presentations, and networking. Additionally, the class focuses on finding potential funding sources that best suit your organization.
Because the course covers more advanced areas of the business, it’s also valuable to individuals who already work or have jobs as grant writers.
The course has 12 classes by Linda Vallejo (a full-time certified grant writer with over three decades of experience). You can choose between the two formats available: instructor-led or self-study.
You can learn more about this grant writing class here.
3. Grant Writing for Non-profits and Freelance Writers (Udemy)
Duration: 1 hour and 34 minutes
Pricing: $29.99, possible discounts
Udemy is renowned for its endless educational courses across multiple industries and niches. This 1-hour and 34-minute grant writing certificate program is for beginners seeking to enter the business as freelancers or under nonprofits.
It focuses on enhancing their research and technical writing abilities before applying for government grants. Tim Whitney developed the course as a professional grant writer with several successful multi-million dollar grant proposals.
He provides students with real-life case studies, strategies for developing successful grant proposals, and the language type and tone to write to different entities. He also highlights the non-technical aspects of a grant writer’s role, including relationship building and thinking like a funder.
You can learn more about this grant writing class here.
4. Professional and Academic Proposal Writing (Thompson Rivers University)
Duration: 30 weeks
Pricing: $760 – $1419
This 30-week certification offers beginners and intermediate writers an excellent all-around grant writing program.
It’s applicable for numerous entities across the spectrum, including government, education, art, health, and the nonprofit sector. The program teaches students skills like developing a grant proposal, defining the prime purpose of the fundraising, coming up with efficient budgeting strategies, etc.
This writing course teaches students the procedures and guidelines for writing a successful grant application, including creating introductory sections and letters of intent. Despite having many fundamentals, the course has limited resources on interpersonal skills.
You can learn more about this grant writing class here.
5. Grant Writing Basics for Beginners (Skillshare)
Duration: 50 minutes
Pricing: $165 annual subscription
This course is ideal for beginners with zero experience. It consists of 10 lessons for 50 minutes, which is perfect for a starter course. This class answers frequently asked questions and concerns a novice writer may have. Unfortunately, it doesn’t cover in detail how to draft proposals.
Teresa Huff teaches the course as a professional grant writer with 20 years of experience drafting grant proposals. She shares tips on getting started as a grant writer while also sharing some common industry knowledge.
You can learn more about this grant writing class here.
6. WVDO Certificate in Grant Writing
Duration: 9 weeks
Pricing: $250 to $2000 (depending on criteria)
This 9-week certification course teaches practical writing skills to develop effective grant proposal applications. There are no prerequisites here, so people with limited or no experience can enroll. This makes it the real deal for anyone switching to grant writing from any other writing discipline to grant writing.
Each enrollment section takes a maximum of 15 students. This shows the level of focus and individual attention received by each attendee. To apply for this certification, you must submit an updated resume demonstrating your writing and communication skills and why you are interested in this certification.
You can learn more about this course here.
7. Professional Certificate in Grant Writing (San Diego State University)
Duration: 10 weeks
Pricing: $898
SDSU recognizes the vast number of charity and nonprofit projects requiring grant funding.
This recognition has led them to create their certification. The syllabus of the program contains two courses that students are required to complete to obtain this certification:
- Introduction to Grants and Funding Research
- Grant Proposal Development
The first course accommodates beginners and freelance writers. It takes students through the basics of grant writing. The second course is for the more experienced students looking to practice further and develop their skills.
You can learn more about this course here.
8. A to Z Grant Writing (University of Colorado, Colorado Springs)
Duration:
- Instructor-led: 6 weeks
- Self-paced: 3 month
Pricing:
- Instructor-led: $135
- Self-paced: $100
The A-to-Z certification course teaches students everything they need to write a grant attracting attention from potential funders, getting them closer to winning grants for projects.
This course isn’t limited to a specific sector in the grant writing space. It works for religious institutions, education, and nonprofit management sectors. Furthermore, it’s an instructed-led course taught by Linda Vallejo.
You can learn more about this course here.
9. University of South Carolina (USC)
Duration: 11 days
Pricing: $1332
The University of South Carolina provides one of the most elaborate and extensive certifications. The course prepares professionals for aspects essential to the grant writing field.
The course is primarily a formal training program, which begins with an introductory course to grant writing and a needs-based assessment.
You can learn more about this course here.
10. Advanced Grant Proposal Writing (ed2go)
Duration: 6-12 weeks
Pricing:
- Instructor-led: $135
- Self-paced: $115
As the name suggests, this course is for the more advanced, more experienced writers. It explores the structure and formatting more intricately than other grant writing certifications.
Aside from building the foundation of your knowledge, the course teaches you how to move forward (grant management) once you secure grant money. Additionally, you learn how to develop non-technical, practical skills.
You can learn more about this course here.
11. Arizona State University
Duration: 7 weeks
Pricing: $999 – $1175
Arizona State University provides two programs. One is for beginners-writers, while the other is for mid-level writers. Students are encouraged to enroll in the latter after completing the first program and getting relevant hands-on experience.
Grant Development: State and Foundation Proposals
This course teaches strategic planning and the fundamental elements that students need to know when drafting proposals. This highly interactive course costs $1050 and runs for 7 weeks. Although it’s perfect for individuals new to writing grants, the providers describe the course as “fast-paced and intensive.”
Advanced Grant Development: Federal Proposals
This course is for writers with more experience. It coaches individuals to write compelling federal grant proposals, too.
Students work in smaller focus groups with the knowledge specialist. They also benefit from having their proposals reviewed before submission for federal grants. Since it’s an advanced program, it requires some experience in state and foundation grant writing.
You can learn more about their courses here.
FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the grant writing process.
How can I write successful grant proposals?
To write winning proposals, you need a clear understanding of the funder’s priorities, a well-structured narrative, and a compelling case for funding. Focus on aligning your proposal with the grant’s objectives, providing detailed budgets, and demonstrating measurable impact. Attention to detail and strong writing skills are essential to crafting a persuasive application.
Why should I work with skilled grant writers?
Skilled grant writers bring expertise in crafting compelling proposals, navigating funding requirements, and increasing the likelihood of approval. Their experience ensures that proposals are well-structured, meet eligibility criteria, and effectively communicate the project’s value to funders. Hiring a professional can save time and improve the chances of securing funding.
How do course materials help improve grant writing skills?
Course materials guide proposal structure, funding research, and effective writing techniques. They offer practical insights, sample proposals, and best practices that help individuals develop the skills needed to create strong grant applications. Whether self-paced or instructor-led, these resources can significantly enhance grant writing proficiency.
How can I find grant opportunities from government agencies?
Government agencies offer many grant opportunities for nonprofits, businesses, and individuals. Research federal, state, and local grant databases to find suitable funding, review eligibility requirements, and stay updated on application deadlines. Many agencies provide guidelines and resources to help applicants submit strong proposals. Understanding the priorities of the granting organization is key to increasing your chances of securing funding.
What are the best grant writing classes?
We compiled a list above of some of the best grant writing classes. To choose an ideal grant writing class, you need a career map. This helps you choose a course that delivers knowledge and skills best suited to your needs to increase your pay and salary. It’s also essential to pick a certification program that aligns with the professional sector you wish to work in (nonprofits, education, healthcare, etc.).
