Spark the Fire Grant Writing Classes

New blog is out! Can you include in-kind in your grant budget? Yes, but...
https://sparkthefiregrantwriting.com/blog/can-you-include-in-kind

If you're managing grants for a nonprofit, this is worth your attention.

My colleague Hannah Wiginton and the team at Grant Frog just launched a major upgrade to their grants management platform — Grant Frog Leap — and from what I've seen, it's a meaningful step forward for organizations trying to stay on top of funder relationships, deadlines, and reporting all in one place.

Hannah built Grant Frog after 15+ years as a grants director, so this tool is grounded in how grant work actually happens — not how someone outside the sector imagines it does. That comes through.

If you want to see everything that's new, they're hosting a live walkthrough on April 28th at 1:15 PM CST. Worth joining if grants management is part of your world.

👉 Save your spot: https://go.grantfrog.com/leap

Your Thursday morning just opened up, and this conversation is worth it.

Live today at 10 a.m. Central | One hour
1.0 points towards CFRE/GPC*
FREE!
Join the (free) Spark the Fire Grant Writing Community: https://spark-the-fire.circle.so/join?invitation_token=1c45fd931d599307d9ad088cea6d6e7180b1bf96-f6c856f9-3ec4-4527-9a09-9c92cff769e0
Then RSVP to the event: https://spark-the-fire.circle.so/c/member-meetups/inside-grant-writing-firms

Ever wondered what it's really like to work inside a grant writing firm or own your own consulting business? Join Spark the Fire Grant Writing Classes, LLC, in partnership with 501 Commons, for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation with experienced grant business leaders about how grant writing businesses operate, grow, and support nonprofits. This month features Hannah Gooding and Keri McDonald, M.P.Aff., GPC!

In just one hour, you'll hear how firms manage client relationships and workflows, approach pricing and sustainability, build strong pipelines, and support long-term success for both staff and nonprofit partners.

For nonprofits - join us to hear what it's like to hire and work with a freelance grant writer!

*Full participation in this Certificate in Grant Writing is applicable for 1.0 points for the GPC and Category 1.B -Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.

✨ Thinking about a career in grant writing? ✨

Join our FREE Info Session for the Spring Certificate in Grant Writing Course!
Dates for Spring Quarter are April 7th to June 2nd.

📅 Thursday, March 19th
🕛 12:00–1:00 PM PST

In this session, you’ll:
✅ Meet the instructor, Allison Jones, M.Ed., GPC
✅ Learn what grant writers really do
✅ Discover the key skills you’ll need to succeed
✅ Get answers to your questions about the course and the field

This live session is hosted on Zoom, but registration is required.

👉 Reserve your spot here: https://ce.seattlecentral.edu/category/art-history/certificate-grantwriting-info-session

We look forward to seeing you! 🌟

Self-Paced Certificate in Grant Writing Course

Online. Begin anytime.

If you deeply understand your mission but find it difficult to translate that work into a clear, fundable proposal, you are not alone. Many strong programs struggle with framing their impact in ways that align with funder priorities.

This course is designed to help you bridge that gap at your own pace.

The self-paced Certificate in Grant Writing teaches you how to connect mission, strategy, and funder priorities through clear narratives, strong logic models, realistic budgets, and thoughtful grants management. You will learn how to communicate your work with greater clarity while strengthening your overall funding approach.

This course is a good fit if you want to articulate your work more clearly, improve alignment with funders, and increase your funding potential, without the pressure of fixed schedules.

By the end of the course, you will walk away with a complete grant proposal, a clear logic model, a realistic project budget, and a grants calendar that gives you real opportunities to move forward.

https://sparkthefiregrantwriting.com/enroll/cigownpace

Inside Grant Writing Firms Webinar E7
Thursday, March 5th | 10:00–11:00 a.m. Central | Live on Zoom

What does it really look like behind the scenes of a grant writing business?

Presented by 501 Commons in partnership w/Spark the Fire Grant Writing Classes, LLC, Inside Grant Writing Businesses offers an honest, practical look at how grant writing businesses are built, sustained, and scaled—and how nonprofits and grant writers can work effectively with them.

In this one-hour live webinar, Allison Jones, M.Ed., GPC, moderates a candid panel conversation with experienced grant writing professionals who bring different perspectives to the table. Together, they will discuss how grant writing businesses manage clients, set pricing, structure their work, and make decisions that support long-term sustainability.

This session is designed to serve three audiences:

*Grant writers who are exploring freelance or business ownership paths
*Grant professionals interested in growing or scaling a practice
*Nonprofit leaders who want to better understand how to hire and work with a grant writing business

Panelists Include:

Kevin Mahler, Contributed Line Fundraising Consultancy

Stacy Ruble, River City Grants

Theresa Fowler, Grants Team Coaching & Consulting

You’ll Learn:
How grant writing businesses are structured and sustained over time

How firms approach pricing, capacity, and client relationships

What nonprofits can expect when working with a grant writing business

How grant writers transition into business ownership or firm leadership

Lessons learned about sustainability, boundaries, and growth

Who It’s For:
Grant writers, consultants, firm owners, nonprofit professionals, and anyone interested in the business side of grant writing and grant support.

Includes:
✅ Access to the live session
✅ Replay with timestamped chapters and full transcript
✅ Resource list shared by the panelists

$25 per session
or purchase the full Inside Grant Writing webinar series (2025–2026) for $247, which includes all upcoming live sessions and access to all past recorded webinars.

More info right here: https://sparkthefiregrantwriting.com/enroll/inside-grant-writing-march-2026

🌟 Opportunity for Grant Writing Firms 🌟

📣 We’re hosting a monthly webinar series for new grant writing graduates on what it’s like to work for a grant writing firm.
We’re inviting firms to join as panelists to share their experiences, insights, and advice with our graduates who are eager to learn about career pathways in the field. This is a chance to:

✔️Share your firm’s perspective and expertise
✔️Connect with new and emerging grant writers
✔️Build visibility within a motivated, professional audience

If your grant writing firm is interested in participating, please DM me for details.

Thinking about taking your grant writing skills solo… but not sure where to start? We’ve got you.

The Business of Freelance Grant Writing is your step-by-step roadmap to launching a grant writing business that feels aligned, confident, and sustainable. Learn how to set your rates without second-guessing, write contracts that protect your time and energy, and attract clients who value your work.

Learn more and register here:
https://sparkthefiregrantwriting.com/enroll/freelance

Spring Quarter Certificate in Grant Writing Course

April 7 through June 9, 2026

If you have been asked to write or manage grants without formal training, you are not alone. Many nonprofit, government, and education professionals step into grant responsibilities with little guidance and high expectations.

This course is designed to give you structure, clarity, and confidence.

The Certificate in Grant Writing is a comprehensive professional development course that walks you through the full grant writing process, from prospect research and readiness to proposal development, budgets, and grants management. You will learn how to approach grant writing strategically and understand what funders are actually looking for.

This course is a strong fit if grant writing is part of your role and you want a clear, professional foundation you can rely on.

You will participate in live, interactive Zoom meetings held weekly on Tuesdays for one hour. These sessions include instruction, examples, and time for questions and discussion. Zoom login information is provided after you enroll.

You may choose from two weekly meeting times:

AFTERNOON SESSION
10–11 HT | 11–12 AKT | 12–1 PT | 1–2 MT | 2–3 CT | 3–4 ET

EVENING SESSION
3–4 HT | 4–5 AKT | 5–6 PT | 6–7 MT | 7–8 CT | 8–9 ET

By the end of the course, you will walk away with a complete grant proposal, a clear logic model, a realistic project budget, and a grants calendar that gives you real opportunities to move forward.

Learn more and sign up here: https://sparkthefiregrantwriting.com/enroll/cigspring