Nonprofit Startup & Grant Writing 101

About Course

Nonprofit Startup & Grant Writing 101 is an 11-week, hands-on course designed to guide aspiring changemakers through the step-by-step process of launching a nonprofit organization and securing grant funding. Whether you’re just getting started or need help turning your vision into a reality, this course will equip you with the tools, templates, and confidence to build a solid foundation.

You’ll learn how to legally form a nonprofit, develop your mission and board, create a realistic budget, and stay compliant with state and federal regulations. The second half of the course dives deep into the world of grant writing—showing you how to research funding opportunities, craft compelling proposals, and submit a complete grant application with all supporting documents.

By the end of the course, you’ll walk away with a clear plan, a mock proposal, and the skills to launch and fund your nonprofit with purpose and confidence.

Throughout this 11-week course, students will gain the essential knowledge and hands-on tools needed to launch a nonprofit organization and pursue grant funding with confidence. The course is designed to break down complex processes into simple, step-by-step actions, making it accessible for beginners and emerging leaders alike.
Participants will walk away with a strong understanding of nonprofit formation, program development, financial planning, and the grant writing process—from research to submission.

Course Content

Week 1: Vision to Mission
Kick off the journey by defining your “why.” We’ll explore your passion, introduce the nonprofit sector, and help you shape a clear mission and vision for your future organization.

Week 2: Building the Foundation
Learn how to legally start your nonprofit—covering name selection, Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, and the roles and responsibilities of your board of directors.

Week 3: Becoming Official
Dive into the process of obtaining your EIN, setting up a bank account, and filing for 501(c)(3) status. We’ll walk through the IRS Form 1023 and 1023-EZ step by step.

Week 4: Structure & Compliance
Explore the inner workings of a nonprofit—governance, compliance, and how to stay in good standing with state and federal agencies. We’ll also touch on basic HR and risk management.

Week 5: Budgeting for Impact
Build your first nonprofit budget and learn how to align your resources with your mission. We’ll explore the basics of nonprofit financial management and grant-friendly budgeting.

Week 6: Grant Funding 101
What exactly is a grant? Learn the types of grants available, where to find them, and how to determine which opportunities fit your organization’s goals and capacity.

Week 7: Telling Your Story
Start crafting the heart of your proposal. You’ll learn how to write a powerful need statement, describe your program clearly, and define goals that resonate with funders.

Week 8: Goals, Outcomes & Evaluation
This week focuses on designing measurable goals and outcomes for your program, building a logic model, and laying the groundwork for evaluating your impact.

Week 9: Budgets & Supporting Documents
Learn how to prepare a grant budget that makes sense, gather key attachments like your board list and letters of support, and present your organization professionally to funders.

Week 10: Proposal Review & Feedback
Bring everything together by reviewing sample proposals, receiving feedback on your own, and polishing your full application. Learn what reviewers look for—and how to stand out.

Week 11: Pitch & Plan
Present your nonprofit idea and grant proposal to the group in a pitch-style session. Wrap up with next steps, grant calendars, and a plan to move from learning to launching.

Nonprofit Startup & Grant Writing 101

About Course

What Will You Learn?

Course Content

Week 1: Vision to Mission
Kick off the journey by defining your “why.” We’ll explore your passion, introduce the nonprofit sector, and help you shape a clear mission and vision for your future organization.

Week 2: Building the Foundation
Learn how to legally start your nonprofit—covering name selection, Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, and the roles and responsibilities of your board of directors.

Week 3: Becoming Official
Dive into the process of obtaining your EIN, setting up a bank account, and filing for 501(c)(3) status. We’ll walk through the IRS Form 1023 and 1023-EZ step by step.

Week 4: Structure & Compliance
Explore the inner workings of a nonprofit—governance, compliance, and how to stay in good standing with state and federal agencies. We’ll also touch on basic HR and risk management.

Week 5: Budgeting for Impact
Build your first nonprofit budget and learn how to align your resources with your mission. We’ll explore the basics of nonprofit financial management and grant-friendly budgeting.

Week 6: Grant Funding 101
What exactly is a grant? Learn the types of grants available, where to find them, and how to determine which opportunities fit your organization’s goals and capacity.

Week 7: Telling Your Story
Start crafting the heart of your proposal. You’ll learn how to write a powerful need statement, describe your program clearly, and define goals that resonate with funders.

Week 8: Goals, Outcomes & Evaluation
This week focuses on designing measurable goals and outcomes for your program, building a logic model, and laying the groundwork for evaluating your impact.

Week 9: Budgets & Supporting Documents
Learn how to prepare a grant budget that makes sense, gather key attachments like your board list and letters of support, and present your organization professionally to funders.

Week 10: Proposal Review & Feedback
Bring everything together by reviewing sample proposals, receiving feedback on your own, and polishing your full application. Learn what reviewers look for—and how to stand out.

Week 11: Pitch & Plan
Present your nonprofit idea and grant proposal to the group in a pitch-style session. Wrap up with next steps, grant calendars, and a plan to move from learning to launching.

Quick Links

Community

For Students

Support

About Course

What Will You Learn?

Course Content

Week 1: Vision to Mission Kick off the journey by defining your “why.” We’ll explore your passion, introduce the nonprofit sector, and help you shape a clear mission and vision for your future organization.

Week 2: Building the Foundation Learn how to legally start your nonprofit—covering name selection, Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, and the roles and responsibilities of your board of directors.

Week 3: Becoming Official Dive into the process of obtaining your EIN, setting up a bank account, and filing for 501(c)(3) status. We’ll walk through the IRS Form 1023 and 1023-EZ step by step.

Week 4: Structure & Compliance Explore the inner workings of a nonprofit—governance, compliance, and how to stay in good standing with state and federal agencies. We’ll also touch on basic HR and risk management.

Week 5: Budgeting for Impact Build your first nonprofit budget and learn how to align your resources with your mission. We’ll explore the basics of nonprofit financial management and grant-friendly budgeting.

Week 6: Grant Funding 101 What exactly is a grant? Learn the types of grants available, where to find them, and how to determine which opportunities fit your organization’s goals and capacity.

Week 7: Telling Your Story Start crafting the heart of your proposal. You’ll learn how to write a powerful need statement, describe your program clearly, and define goals that resonate with funders.

Week 8: Goals, Outcomes & Evaluation This week focuses on designing measurable goals and outcomes for your program, building a logic model, and laying the groundwork for evaluating your impact.

Week 9: Budgets & Supporting Documents Learn how to prepare a grant budget that makes sense, gather key attachments like your board list and letters of support, and present your organization professionally to funders.

Week 10: Proposal Review & Feedback Bring everything together by reviewing sample proposals, receiving feedback on your own, and polishing your full application. Learn what reviewers look for—and how to stand out.

Week 11: Pitch & Plan Present your nonprofit idea and grant proposal to the group in a pitch-style session. Wrap up with next steps, grant calendars, and a plan to move from learning to launching.

Quick Links

Community

For Students

Support

Week 1: Vision to Mission
Kick off the journey by defining your “why.” We’ll explore your passion, introduce the nonprofit sector, and help you shape a clear mission and vision for your future organization.

Week 2: Building the Foundation
Learn how to legally start your nonprofit—covering name selection, Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, and the roles and responsibilities of your board of directors.

Week 3: Becoming Official
Dive into the process of obtaining your EIN, setting up a bank account, and filing for 501(c)(3) status. We’ll walk through the IRS Form 1023 and 1023-EZ step by step.

Week 4: Structure & Compliance
Explore the inner workings of a nonprofit—governance, compliance, and how to stay in good standing with state and federal agencies. We’ll also touch on basic HR and risk management.

Week 5: Budgeting for Impact
Build your first nonprofit budget and learn how to align your resources with your mission. We’ll explore the basics of nonprofit financial management and grant-friendly budgeting.

Week 6: Grant Funding 101
What exactly is a grant? Learn the types of grants available, where to find them, and how to determine which opportunities fit your organization’s goals and capacity.

Week 7: Telling Your Story
Start crafting the heart of your proposal. You’ll learn how to write a powerful need statement, describe your program clearly, and define goals that resonate with funders.

Week 8: Goals, Outcomes & Evaluation
This week focuses on designing measurable goals and outcomes for your program, building a logic model, and laying the groundwork for evaluating your impact.

Week 9: Budgets & Supporting Documents
Learn how to prepare a grant budget that makes sense, gather key attachments like your board list and letters of support, and present your organization professionally to funders.

Week 10: Proposal Review & Feedback
Bring everything together by reviewing sample proposals, receiving feedback on your own, and polishing your full application. Learn what reviewers look for—and how to stand out.

Week 11: Pitch & Plan
Present your nonprofit idea and grant proposal to the group in a pitch-style session. Wrap up with next steps, grant calendars, and a plan to move from learning to launching.