Grant Writing & Fundraising for Community Organizations Professional Certificate

Many small community organisations do valuable work but struggle to explain it to funders, supporters and neighbours who could help. This course teaches the practical skills of fundraising and grant writing in plain language, using fictional examples from small organisations in South Sudan and East Africa.

It is written for staff and volunteers of community-based organisations, youth groups and small NGOs, and for students who want to work in the development sector. You will learn how to build a healthy funding mix, raise money ethically, describe your organisation and its evidence honestly, research funders and read their guidelines, and write the main parts of a grant proposal: needs, objectives, activities, a simple logframe, work plan, budget, risks, sustainability and monitoring. You will also practise writing clearly, building a budget in a free spreadsheet, preparing concept notes, submitting, reporting, thanking supporters and keeping good records.

The course has six modules and 24 written lessons, each with a worked example, a practical activity that needs only paper or free tools, reflection questions and key terms. Every module ends with a quiz, and Module 6 contains a capstone project and a 12-question final examination. The course is designed for about 20 hours of study and you can work at your own pace.

On completion you receive a Bang Ti Lenydoor certificate of completion. It is not an accredited qualification, and the course does not promise jobs, income or funding. Funders make their own decisions and usually have their own formats and rules, so always read the guidelines of each funder you approach, and check local legal and tax rules with the relevant authority or a qualified professional.