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.
Representatives
of Nonprofit Organizations
Individuals
Seeking Grants
- To gain insight into foundations and the overall grantseeking process»
- Classroom training
Grantseeking Basics *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
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
Finding Funders with the Guide to Greater Washington, DC Grantmakers on CD-ROM *Basic
Introduction to 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
Guide
to Funding Research *Basic
Guide
to the Foundation Center's Web Site *Basic
Foundation
Directory Online Guided Tour *Basic
FC
Search Guided Tour *Basic
Advanced
FC Search: Strategies & Techniques
Demystifying the 990PF
To strengthen your proposal writing and budgeting skills»
Classroom training
Proposal Writing Basics
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 *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
Proposal Writing: The Project Description E-Learn *Fee-Based
Proposal Writing: The Comprehensive Course 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 *Fee-Based
Earned Income: Assessing Your Nonprofit's Revenue Options *Fee-Based
Building a Fundraising Board *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 Online Guided Tour*Basic
Guide
to the Foundation Center's Web Site *Basic
Guide
to Fiscal Sponsorship and Affiliation
Classroom Training Descriptions
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»
Building a Fundraising Board*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»
Developing a Fundraising Plan *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»
Finding Funders with the Guide to Greater Washington, DC Grantmakers on CD-ROM
This session provides a hands-on introduction to the Guide to Greater Washington, DC Grantmakers on CD-ROM, a database covering 2,700 grantmakers funding in the DC area, plus records of grants awarded. Learn how to create customized searches to develop targeted lists of foundations that will match your local organization's funding needs. 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»
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 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
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 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 found in the 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»
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 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
*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»
