Public Affairs 7501: Grant Writing in the Public Sector
This is a sample syllabus to provide general information about the course and it's requirements. Course requirements are subject to change. This syllabus does not contain all assignment or course detail and currently enrolled students should reference the syllabus provided by their instructor. For a specific syllabus, please email us a request.
Learning Outcomes
The student learning goal for this course is to understand the core components of grantsmanship, including grant-seeking, grant-writing, and grants management.
Student Learning Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
- Be capable of conducting an effective search for federal, state, local, and private grants.
- Be capable of identifying the key components of a standard grant application.
- Be aware of how funders determine eligibility criteria for grants and apply those criteria to searches for funding.
- Be aware of terminology commonly used in grantsmanship.
- Be knowledgeable of grants management requirements, post award.
- Be aware of ethical standards that apply to grantsmanship both pre-award and post-award.
These learning objectives reflect the core competencies for grants professionals as espoused by the Grant Professionals Association. The Validated Competencies and Skills as indicated by the Grant Professionals Certification Institute (GPCI) are as follows:
- Knowledge of how to research, identify, and match funding resources to meet specific needs.
- Knowledge of organizational development as it pertains to grant seeking.
- Knowledge of strategies for effective program and project design and development.
- Knowledge of how to craft, construct, and submit an effective grant application.
- Knowledge of post award grant management practices sufficient to inform effective grant design and development.
- Knowledge of nationally recognized standards of ethical practice by grants professionals.
- Knowledge of practices and services that raise the level of professionalism of grant professionals.
- Knowledge of methods and strategies that cultivate and maintain relationships between fund-seeking and recipient organizations and funders.
- Ability to write a convincing case for funding.
Requirements and Expectations
- 1. Organization Selection Checklist, 5 points, Independent work
- 2. Problem Exercise, 5 points, Independent work
- 3. Organizational Capacity Assignment, 10 points, Independent work
- 4. Statement of Need Assignment, 10 points, Independent work
- 5. In Class Actives and Peer Reviews, 10 points, Collaboration required
- 6. Logic Model, 10 points, Independent work
- 7. In Class Presentation, 5 points, Independent work
- 8. Program Plan Assignment, 15 points, Independent work
- 9. Evaluation Plan Assignment, 10 points, Independent work
- 10. Budget Assignment, 5 points, Independent Work
- 11. Final Project – Complete Grant Submission, 15 points, Independent work
Organization Selection Checklist:
5 points (Completed checklist to provide an overview on the organization you will write about for your grant; uploaded to Carmen).
Problem Exercise:
5 points (This assignment is designed to help you think about the core questions that you will need to answer as you prepare a proposal; uploaded to Carmen).
Organizational Capacity Assignment:
10 points (Two-page written assignment describing the history and capacity of the organization functioning as the lead applicant in your proposal).
Statement of Need Assignment:
10 points (Two-page written assignment associated with your selected grant proposal; please see specific directions later in this syllabus. This assignment will be PRINTED* and brought to class).
In Class Activities and Peer Reviews:
10 points
Organizational Capacity and Statement of Need Editing Exercise:
(Class activity and wherein you will edit a classmate’s Organizational Capacity and Statement of Need and provide feedback while the classmate edits your documents and provides feedback. You will then revise your Organizational Capacity and Statement of Need and re-submit it to me for review).
Logic Model Editing Exercise:
(Class activity and wherein you will edit a classmate’s Logic Model and Theory of Change and provide feedback while the classmate edits your documents and provides feedback. You will then revise your Logic Model and submit it to me for review)
Program Plan and Evaluation Plan Editing Exercise:
(Class activity wherein you will edit a classmate’s Program Plan and Evaluation Plan and provide feedback while the classmate edits your documents and provides feedback. You will then revise your Program Plan and Evaluation Plan and re-submit it to me for review).
Logic Model:
10 points (You will develop a Logic Model for your grant proposal. This assignment will be PRINTED* and brought to class).
In Class Presentation:
5 points (Each student will do ONE 5 minute presentation during the Semester.
Program Plan Assignment:
15 points (Two-page written assignment associated with your selected grant proposal; please see specific directions later in this syllabus. This assignment will be PRINTED* and brought to class).
Evaluation Plan Assignment:
10 points (Two-page written assignment associated with your selected grant proposal; please see specific directions later in this syllabus. This assignment will be PRINTED* and brought to class).
Budget Assignment:
5 points (You will complete a budget for your organization that aligns to your grant request).
Final Project – Complete Grant Submission:
15 points (You will complete a grant for submission using materials developed throughout the Semester). This assignment will be PRINTED* and brought to class).
Total Points: 100