The Center's training programs are specifically designed for grantseekers—either representatives of nonprofit organizations or individuals—who want to enhance their understanding of the grantseeking process and various aspects of funding research. All classes listed below are offered free of charge unless noted otherwise. Our fee-based training programs are day-long seminars and workshops. Click on the appropriate link below to see a list of classes available for your needs. *Basic Indicates entry-level classes or tutorials that provide fundamental information for beginners.

If you have a disability and require special assistance, please let us know at least three weeks in advance so that we can best accommodate your needs.

Representatives of Nonprofit Organizations
Individuals Seeking Grants

Training opportunities available for representatives of nonprofit organizations:

To gain insight into foundations and the overall grantseeking process»

Classroom training
Grantseeking Basics *Basic
Grantseeking Basics in Spanish: Principios de la búsqueda de fondos *Basic
Grantseeking Basics for International Organizations *Basic
Introduction to Corporate Giving
How to Approach a Foundation: From Initial Contact to Getting Funded: What Does It Take?
Foundations and Their Role in Philanthropy
Foundation Fundraising: An Introductory Course *Fee-Based
Seminario sobre la recaudación de fondos: Para organizaciones sin fines de lucro (Foundation Fundraising: An Introductory Course - in Spanish)
Grantseeker Training Institute *Fee-Based

Online tutorials and training
Guide to Funding Research *Basic
Foundations and Their Role in Philanthropy E-Learn
Foundations Today Tutorial
Grantseeking Basics for Nonprofit Organizations E-Learn *Fee-Based

To get the most from your funding research»

Classroom training
Introduction to The Foundation Directory Online *Basic
Guide to the Resources on the Foundation Center’s Web Site *Basic
Prospect Research Basics: Researching Individual Donors
Foundation Funding Research: Strategies for Finding and Evaluating Prospects *Fee-Based

Online tutorials
Foundation Directory Online Guided Tour *Basic
FC Search Guided Tour *Basic
FC Search Interactive Tour *Basic
Guide to the Foundation Center's Web Site *Basic
Advanced FC Search: Strategies & Techniques
Demystifying the 990PF

To strengthen your proposal writing and budgeting skills»

Classroom training
Proposal Writing Basics
Proposal Writing Basics in Spanish: Principios de la escritura de propuestas
Proposal Budgeting Basics
How to Approach a Foundation: From Initial Contact to Getting Funded: What Does It Take?
Proposal Writing Seminar *Fee-Based
Proposal Writing Seminar II: Tailoring Your Proposals to Maximize Success *Fee-Based
Proposal Budgeting Workshop *Fee-Based

Online tutorials and training
Proposal Writing Short Course (In English, Spanish, French, Russian and Chinese) *Basic
Proposal Budgeting Basics *Basic
Proposal Writing: The Statement of Need E-Learn *Fee-Based
Proposal Writing: The Budget E-Learn *Fee-Based

To enhance your organization's strategy for financial success»

Classroom training
Before You Seek a Grant: A Checklist for New Nonprofits*Basic
Introduction to Fundraising Planning *Basic
Your Board and Fundraising
Developing a Fundraising Plan: Securing Your Organization's Future*Fee-Based
Earned Income: Assessing Your Nonprofit's Revenue Options *Fee-Based
Nonprofit Boards and Fundraising *Fee-Based
Outcome Thinking and Management: Shifting Focus from Activities to Results *Fee-Based

Online tutorials
Establishing a Nonprofit Organization

To learn about resources available on the Foundation Center’s Web site or Library»

Classroom training
Guide to the Resources on the Foundation Center’s Web Site *Basic

Online tutorials
Guide to the Foundation Center's Web Site *Basic
Catalog of Nonprofit Literature Guided Tour

Special programs sponsored by the Foundation Center

To augment our training programs, the Foundation Center periodically sponsors or co-sponsors workshops or programs on specific topics. Click on the link above for information on upcoming workshops and programs.

Training opportunities available for individual grantseekers:

To learn about the overall grantseeking process»

Classroom training
Grantseeking Basics for Individuals in the Arts *Basic
Finding Foundation Support for Your Education *Basic
Getting Started with Foundation Grants to Individuals Online *Basic


Online tutorials and training
Finding Foundation Support for Your Education E-Learn
Guide to Funding Research *Basic
Grantseeking Basics for Individuals E-Learn *Fee-Based
Foundation Grants to Individuals Guided Tour*Basic
Guide to the Foundation Center's Web Site *Basic
Guide to Fiscal Sponsorship and Affiliation

Before You Seek a Grant: A Checklist for New Nonprofits *Basic (suggested for new nonprofits or those thinking about forming one)
Good proposals alone are not sufficient for successful foundation fundraising. You must have the characteristics of successful nonprofits before you can approach foundations for funding. This class employs a step-by-step checklist approach to assist community groups or new nonprofits to determine their readiness to approach foundations for funding. Find out more»

Demystifying the 990-PF *Basic
This online training course provides an overview of the content, accessibility, and value of Form 990-PF, the tax return filed by private foundations. Find out more»

Developing a Fundraising Plan: Securing Your Organization's Future*Fee-Based (all day seminar)
Beginners and experienced fundraisers alike will benefit from this full-day  workshop devoted to the many avenues available for assuring the financial viability of your nonprofit organization. Through a series of exercises and worksheets, we'll show you how to take stock of your situation and develop a comprehensive funding plan that includes a variety of sources from individuals to institutions. Find out more»

Earned Income: Assessing Your Nonprofit's Revenue Options*Fee-Based (all day seminar)
Whether your nonprofit is considering an earned income opportunity or already pursuing one, this new course outlines the real potential — and possible pitfalls — of this revenue stream. Through small-group exercises, you’ll learn about the variety of earned income options; whether earned income is right for your nonprofit; implications for current programs, staff, and management; developing and pitching a new business model to funders and investors; and formulating a workable time/action plan. Find out more»

Finding Foundation Support for Your Education
If you are an individual who is seeking financial aid for your education, this class can show you some of the tools and techniques that can be used to help you become a more informed grantseeker. Find out more»

Foundation Funding Research: Strategies for Finding and Evaluating Prospects*Fee-Based (1.5 day seminar)
This special day-and-a-half course will help you take a more systematic approach to grantseeking by charting your organization’s funding needs, then utilizing our top-tier comprehensive database, The Foundation Directory Online Professional, to find funders who have a proven commitment to programs or projects like yours. You’ll learn how to strategize your funding research, then gain hands-on, interactive training in our computer lab to develop a targeted list of the most promising prospects as a Professional grantseeker. Find out more»

Foundation Fundraising: An Introductory Course *Fee-Based (all day seminar)
Beginning fundraisers will benefit from this full-day workshop to help prepare their organizations to seek grants. The course provides an introduction to the world of foundations and instruction in identifying prospective funders. Through a combination of worksheets and group exercises, you'll learn what steps your organization needs to take before approaching funders; what are the different types of funders; and how to conduct research in order to find the most receptive donors. Find out more»

Seminario sobre la recaudación de fondos: Para organizaciones sin fines de lucro (seminario completo - día completo)
Los representantes de organizaciones sin fines de lucro novicios en el proceso de la recaudación de fondos se beneficiarán de este curso completo del Foundation Center. En él se presentará una introducción al mundo de las fundaciones y un entrenamiento en los procedimientos de indentificar fundaciones donantes apropiadas para su organización. A través de una combinación de planillas de trabajo y de ejercicios en grupo, aprendarán los pasos que su organización deberá tomar antes de buscar apoyo de las fundaciones; las características de distintos tipos de fundaciones y las diferencias más importantes entre ellas; y cómo llevar a cabo la investigación para identificar las fundaciones donantes más apropiadas para sus solicitudes y propuestas. Enterece de los detalles»

Foundations and Their Role in Philanthropy
This class is intended for grantseekers and grantmakers who want to know more about foundations, their giving, and their role in the nonprofit community. Find out more»

Getting Started with Foundation Grants to Individuals Online *Basic (for searching online)
This class provides a hands-on introduction to effective use of the Foundation Center's online funding research tool for individual grantseekers. Find out more...

Grantseeker Training Institute *Fee-Based (five-day seminar)
Five days of comprehensive training from the Foundation Center's experts where you will learn how to prepare your fundraising strategy, enlist your board's involvement, find and prioritize funding prospects, and write effective proposals. Find out more»

Grantseeking Basics *Basic
This weekly introductory class provides an overview of the funding research process for those seeking grants from foundations, corporations, and grantmaking public charities. Find out more»

Grantseeking Basics in Spanish: Principios de la búsqueda de fondos *Basic
Aprenda cómo prepararse para solicitar fondos y cómo identificar fundaciones donantes de su interés. Aprenda cómo investigar los recursos del Centro para desarollar una búsqueda de fondos más efectiva. Para más informaciòn»

Grantseeking Basics for Individuals in the Arts*Basic
If you are an individual involved in the arts this class will show you how to develop a plan that can help you find funding for your arts-related activities. Find out more»

Grantseeking Basics for International Organizations *Basic
This introductory class provides an overview of the grantseeking process for representatives of foreign NGOs and U.S.-based nonprofits with international programs. We cover legal aspects of U.S. foundation giving overseas, the types of funders working internationally and the steps involved in foundation research. Find out more»

Guide to the Resources on the Foundation Center’s Web Site *Basic
This session will introduce you to the wide range of resources available on the Foundation Center's Web site and will show you how to navigate our site efficiently. Find out more»

How to Approach a Foundation: From Initial Contact to Getting Funded: What Does It Take?
A new class on initiating contact with potential funders, planning calls and meetings, and building partnerships with donors. Find out more...

Introduction to Corporate Giving.
This class provides an introduction to the world of corporate support and to the effective utilization of the Foundation Center's print and electronic resources on corporate giving. Find out more»

Introduction to The Foundation Directory Online *Basic (for searching online)
This class provides a hands-on introduction to the basics of searching the Center's Web-based databases Foundation Directory Online. Find out more»

Introduction to Fundraising Planning *Basic
This class provides an introduction to the development of a fundraising plan for organizations unfamiliar with the process. Participants will learn strategies for devising a plan that best reflects their organization’s needs and resources. Find out more»

Nonprofit Boards and Fundraising*Fee-Based (all day seminar)
Your board can be one of your most powerful fundraising assets. Learn how to quickly assess their fundraising potential and find strategies to motivate them. Our instructors outline policies and structures to ensure the board’s commitment. Developed in partnership with BoardSource, this course shows you how to work most effectively with your board to raise money. Find out more»

Outcome Thinking and Management: Shifting Focus from Activities to Results*Fee-Based (all day seminar)
Does your organization spend much time and energy on developing and delivering programs that address problems or issues? Learn about the merits of outcome-based planning and management and how this powerful shift in mindset can help you achieve outstanding results for those you serve. Find out more»

Proposal Budgeting Basics
This class covers the essentials of budget preparation as part of a basic grant proposal, including compiling both financial elements and the budget narrative. Many grantmakers today consider the budget to be one of the most important pieces of the proposal package, and it is often the one they look at first. Find out more»

Proposal Budgeting Workshop *Fee-Based (all day seminar)
Designed for beginners, our full-day workshop will help you compose and present budgets for your organization and programs. Whether you need to create a budget for a special project or for operating support, we'll walk you through all the elements of a detailed budget. We'll provide you with worksheets to organize the details of your funding needs and we'll take you through case studies that will enable you to put your knowledge to practical use. Find out more»

Proposal Writing Basics
Designed for new proposal writers representing nonprofit organizations, this class instructs participants in the key components of a proposal to a foundation or corporation and responds to the questions that first-timers often have about the process of applying for a grant. Find out more»

Proposal Writing Basics in Spanish: Principios de la escritura de propuestas
Aprenda cuáles son los componentes claves de una propuesta. Aprenda el proceso de escritura y envío de propuestas a fundaciones y corporaciones. Para más información»

Proposal Writing Seminar *Fee-Based (all day seminar)
This full-day seminar, conducted by the author of the Center's Guide to Proposal Writing and veteran fundraising experts, is designed to help the novice nonprofit grantseeker gain the proposal-writing experience needed to secure more grants from foundations and corporate sources. Find out more»

Proposal Writing Seminar II: Tailoring Your Proposals to Maximize Success *Fee-Based (all day seminar)
This full-day course will demystify the process of shaping your master proposal to meet the funder's interests, thereby capturing their attention-and increasing your potential to get funds. Find out more»

Prospect Research Basics: Researching Individual Donors
This class provides information on how to identify and conduct research on individuals who are capable of and may be interested in giving a substantial gift to your organization. Find out more»

Your Board and Fundraising: An Introductory Class for Small Nonprofits
One of the major responsibilities of a board in a nonprofit organization is fundraising. This class discusses how to actively engage an existing board in the fundraising process. Find out more»