The CGW Series for Beginners is appropriate for entry level grant researchers and writers with less than 2 years of job experience.  The CGW Series for Beginners includes the following components:
     Intro to Grant Writing Online Course
     Program Development and Proposal Writing (4 day workshop)
     Certified Grant Writer® Review Course (1 day workshop)
     Certified Grant Writer® Examination (1 day exam)
     Annual Individual Membership in American Grant Writers' Association

The Introduction to Grant Writing Online Course is individual study and self-paced.   Students are assigned an Online Instructor who will send course materials and assignments by e-mail. The course begins on the day of purchase and students have 4 months to complete assignments, although most students complete assignments in 3-4 weeks.  A 90-day extension is available for $100.  Students receive course materials and assignments one section at a time.  Assignments must be completed in one section before proceeding to the next section.  The course covers the following topics:
     How to find Federal, State, Foundation, and Corporate grant opportunities and RFPs
     Introduction to Proposal Writing - Common Grant Forms and Government Application Packages
     Introduction to preparing budgets and writing the Budget Narrative
     Professional Standards and Ethics of American Grant Writers' Association
For the online course, the student will need a computer (with any operating system) that has internet access.  Software needed is MS Word, Excel, and Adobe Reader.  Students will also need an e-mail address.

The four day Program Development and Proposal Writing Workshop is offered in several locations across the US each year.  Students will decide which location/date when making the purchase.  Students receive course materials upon arrival at the workshop.  This workshop is a hands-on experience where students develop a program using a logic model, practice pre-writing exercises, write sections of a proposal, practice preparing budgets, and review peer's writing and budget exercises.  The focus is on seeking program support, program development support, capital support, and general operating support.  Research grants and construction grants are mentioned, but not discussed in detail.  The course is taught from the employee's perspective who works for the grant applicant.  The following topics are covered during the workshop:
     Grantseeking and the Development Office
     Nonprofit Organizations - Exempt Status and Charitable Status
     Standards of Charitable Accountability
     Program Development using a Logic Model
     Understanding a Foundation's 990 PF
     Evaluating Foundation RFPs and Government NOFAs
     Researching statistics to document the Problem Statement
     Writing goals and measurable objectives and outcomes
     Planning program evaluations
     Writing Letters of Inquiry, Proposals, and Applications for Foundation and Government Grants
     Writing Government Grant Applications
     Planning Nonprofit and Government Grant Budgets
     Professional Standards and Ethics of American Grant Writers' Association

The Certified Grant Writer® Review Course is one day and immediately follows the four day workshop.  Students may pick up course materials at 5 PM on the day prior.  The course prepares students to pass all five sections of the Certified Grant Writer® Examination.
     Program Development and Proposal Writing
     Researching Grant Opportunities and Statistics
     Professional Standards and Ethics
     Budgets for Foundation and Government Grants
     Writing Sample

The Certified Grant Writer® Exam is administered on the sixth day from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM with a 45 minute break for lunch on your own.  About 80% of students pass all five sections on the first sitting.  Purchase of this series entitles the student to attend the CGW Review Course a second time (free of charge) and a second sitting for the Certified Grant Writer® Exam to try to pass the sections that were not passed during the first sitting.

An annual Individual Membership in American Grant Writers' Association is included with this series.

The Workshop and Review Course begin at 8:30 AM and concludes at 5:00 PM each day.  A morning and afternoon coffee break are provided each day, but lunch is on your own.  Dress is casual.

For the workshop and exam we recommend students bring a laptop computer (with any operating system) with a USB port, Word, Excel, and Adobe Reader software.  Students will also need to bring a handheld calculator, pencils and erasers.  A printer will be provided.  We also recommend bringing a sweater or jacket because meeting rooms often feel chilly.

The recommended reading to accompany the series is The Guide to Proposal Writing, 5th Edition, by Jane Geever, which is available at AGWA's online bookstore for $44.90 or at many local bookstores and libraries.  The writing reference is the APA Publication Manual of Style.  Some writers prefer the booklet, Concise Rules of APA Style.  Either is available from American Psychological Association's online store www.apastyle.org

Prerequisites:  A Bachelor's Degree is strongly recommended, but not required.  A strong math aptitude is recommended to be successful.  The minimum age to sit for the CGW Exam is 21 years old.  Proof of identity must be shown to the proctor prior to sitting for the exam.  Suitable documents as proof of identity are a state issued photo ID card, such as a driver's license.

Price:  The CGW Series for Beginners is $999 per person. (Please note that this package does not offer the option of taking the Grant Researching and Proposal Writing Course as an Online Course.  It may only be taken as a 4-day workshop).

Prior to making your purchase we recommend you read our web pages "Refund and Rescheduling Policies", "Professional Ethics and Standards", and "Debit/Credit Card Purchases".

Disabled persons may request accommodations.  Requests should be in writing (mail or e-mail) and need to be received two weeks prior to the first day of a workshop or course.

If your company is seeking training funds, you might want to contact the Workforce Development Board in your County.  Some of the boards offer training funds to employers to reimburse up to 50% of training registration expense.

July 23-28, 2012 in New Orleans, LA at The Inn on Bourbon (in the French Quarter)

• Address:  541 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA   70130
• Phone:  504-524-7611
• Hotel rooms have been reserved for the American Grant Writers' Association at the group rate of $85 plus taxes per night single occupancy, or $95 double occupancy.  Make your hotel reservations early as this group rate is only available until July 8, 2012 as long as space is available.  To make your hotel reservations, call the hotel at 504-524-7611 or 800-535-7891.
• If you are flying into the New Orleans Airport, transportation to the hotel is available outside the baggage claim area by taxi, limo, and shuttle.
• If you are driving to the hotel, valet parking is available for $30 per day with in and out privileges (Limit of one car per hotel room please)

October 15-20, 2012 in Cincinnati, OH at Garfield Suites Hotel

• Address:  2 Garfield Place, Cincinnati, OH   45202
• Phone:  513-421-3355
• Hotel suites with a full kitchen have been reserved for American Grant Writers Association at the group rate of $99 plus taxes per night.  Make your hotel reservations early as this group rate is only available until Sep 30, 2012 or as long as space is available.  To make your hotel reservations, call the hotel at 513-421-3355.
• If you are flying into Cincinnati Airport transportation to the hotel is available outside the baggage claim area by taxi, limo, and shuttle.  Executive Transportation provides transportation from the Cincinnati Airport to the hotel by shared van for $22 one-way or $32 round-trip.  To make transportation reservations with Executive Transportation call 888-694-0770.
• If you are driving to the hotel parking is available in the Garfield Garage operted by the City of Cincinnati for $6 per day or $8 overnight.

Jan 28 - Feb 2, 2013 at the Holiday Inn Clearwater Beach in Clearwater Beach, FL 

• Address:  521 S Gulfview Blvd, Clearwater Beach, FL  33767
• Phone:  800-770-6461
• A block a rooms has been reserved for American Grant Writers' Association at the group rate of $104 plus tax per night.  The group rate will also be available 3 days prior, and 3 days post the meeting dates.  Be sure to make your reservations early, as this rate is only available until Jan 4, 2013, as long as space is available.  To make hotel reservations please call 800-315-2621 and ask for group code AGW.  Please note that the hotel is located on the Gulf at Clearwater Pass, but the beach is located 500 yards further down Gulf Blvd.
• If you are driving to the hotel, self-parking is $12 per vehicle per day.
• If you are flying into Tampa Airport or St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport, transportation is available outside of the baggage claim area by taxi, limo, and shuttle.  To make a reservation with Super Shuttle for a shared van ride, call 727-572-1111 or 800-258-3826.

June 10-15, 2013 in Chicago, IL  at the Crown Plaza Northbrook 

• Address:  2875 N Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook IL   60062
• Phone:  847-298-2525
• Hotel rooms have been reserved for American Grant Writers' Association at the group rate of $104 plus taxes per night.  Make your reservations early as this group rate is only available until May 26, 2013, or as long as space is available.  To make your hotel reservations, call the hotel at 847-298-2525 or 1-800-CROWNE (800-227-6963).
• If you are flying into O'Hare Airport transportation is available outside the baggage claim area by taxi, limo, and shuttle.  Transfer from the Airport to the Hotel by 101 Express Limo Company is about $33 one-way from O'Hare Airport and about $55 one-way from Midway Airport.  To make transportation reservations with 101 Express Limo Company call 847-808-0101.
• The hotel will provide a complimentary shuttle to O'Hare Airport departing the hotel on Saturday, June 15th at 4:40 PM.  You can sign up for the shuttle at the workshop.  This is the only complimentary shuttle that the hotel will be providing for our group.
• If you are driving to the hotel, parking is complimentary.

October 14-19, 2013 in Newport Beach, CA at Radisson Hotel Newport Beach

• Hotel Address:  4545 MacArthur Blvd, Newport Beach, CA  92660
• Hotel Phone:  949-833-0570
• A block of rooms have been reserved for American Grant Writers Association at the group rate of $113 per night plus taxes for a room with 2 doubles or 1 king.  The group rate will only be available until 9/29/2013.  To make your hotel reservations, please call 949-833-0570 or 800-333-3333, or e-mail at asimsim@radissonnewportbeach.com, and ask for the AGWA group rate.
• If you are flying into the Orange County John Wayne Airport, the hotel provides complimentary round-trip transportation from the airport to the hotel.  Upon arrival in the baggage claim area, just call the hotel for your transfer.
• If you are driving to the hotel, parking is complimentary.