Grant Coordinators and Writers

High School

High school courses in English, journalism, and creative writing will help you develop your written communication skills. Courses in history and the humanities in general also are useful as background reference, and a solid background in mathematics and business will help you feel comfortable dealing with budgets and other financial documents.

Postsecondary Training

A survey by the Association of Fundraising Professionals reports that 95.4 percent of respondents held a college degree; of this group, 42 percent held a master's degree or higher. Grant coordinators and writers can have any of several kinds of educational backgrounds. Some study liberal arts, some have business degrees, and some have studied in management training programs. Others have degrees in grant writing.

Regardless of your educational background, you will need the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing. Much paperwork is involved in applying for a grant; the funding agency's instructions must be followed precisely, and the proposal must state the institution's goals and objectives in a clear and persuasive way.

Certification

Colleges and universities offer certificates in grant writing, fund-raising, and related areas. For example, New York University offers a professional certificate program in fund-raising that covers various topics, such as the structure of nonprofits, how to protect and be accountable to donors and the public, understanding federal laws that affect nonprofits, and the communication tools used in the field.

Other Education or Training

Several organizations sponsor intensive workshops and seminars on grant coordination, grant writing, and fund-raising. For example, the Association of Fundraising Professionals offers a Fundamentals of Fundraising Course that covers an overview of fundraising, developing an integrated fundraising program, building & sustaining relationships, securing the gift, and best practices, among other topics. The association also offers a Leadership Academy. The Grantsmanship Center webinars that help grant coordinators and writers with proposal writing and other aspects of their jobs. The center also offers training programs: The Grantsmanship Training Program, Essential Grant Skills, Grant Management Essentials, and Competing for Federal Grants. The American Grant Writers' Association and The Giving Institute also provide continuing education opportunities. Contact these organizations for more information.