The Online Certified Grant Writer™ Package includes an annual membership in AGWA, an online course in grant researching and proposal writing, and the CGW Exam taken in a group setting.  The online course covers the same 4 sections as the in-person course:  Researching, Writing, Ethics and Budgeting.  Students are assigned an instructor who is a Certified Grant Writer™, and then receive assignments and correspond with their instructor by e-mail.  During their assignments students will write sections of a grant proposal using hypothetical business or an actual business.

Students have 9 months to complete the course work, however, most students complete it in 4-6 weeks.  The 9 month period begins on the day the student pays the registration fee.  A 90-day extension is available for a $100 fee.

 The following topics will be covered in the online course:

• Program development using a logic model
• Researching grant opportunities
• Evaluating NOFAs and RFPs
• Researching statistics to document the Statement of Need
• Planning Outcome Based programs using a Logic Model
• Planning Program Evaluations
• Planning Non-Profit Budgets and Government Non-Construction Budgets
• Writing Executive Summaries, Letters of Inquiry, Foundation Proposals, Common Grant Applications and Government Grant Applications
• Professional Standards and Ethics

The recommended reading for the course is The Guide to Proposal Writing, 5th Edition, by Jane Geever.  This book is available at our website bookstore and at many local libraries or bookstores.

Students must take the Certified Grant Writer™ Exam in person which can be during or after the 9 month course period.  Students take it in a group setting on scheduled dates. The exam date must be scheduled 2 weeks prior to the test date by notifying their instructors or contacting customer service by phone or email. 

A student may request an individual setting for an additional fee of $250 plus travel expenses of the exam proctor. 

The exam is administered in a group setting from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM with a one hour lunch break.  The 3 sessions are 1)  Proposal Writing, Researching and Ethics  2)  Budgeting  3)  Writing Samples.  Please schedule your travel arrangements so that you plan to depart the hotel no earlier than 4:30 PM.  We recommend planning airline flights that depart after 7:30 PM.

This one day course is taught by a Certified Grant Writer® and a Review Manual is provided.  Each of the 4 objective sections of the Exam are covered; Research, Writing, Budgeting, and Professional Ethics.  The Review Course is always offered on the day prior to the CGW Exam.  The CGW Review Course is optional.  Online course students may add the review course for a $200 registration fee.    The workshop begins at 8:30 AM and concludes at 4:30 PM with a break for lunch.  Participants should bring a handheld calculator for budget exercises, and we recommend bringing a sweater or jacket because meeting rooms often feel chilly.

March 26-27, 2010 in New Orleans, LA  (The last day to register is March 12, 2010)                  

• Chateau LeMoyne Hotel in French quarter

July 23-24, 2010 in Chicago, IL   (The last day to register is July 9, 2010)

• Holiday Inn Schaumburg - Rolling Meadows

October 29-30, 2010 in Clearwater Beach, FL  (The last day to register is October 15, 2010) 

• Holiday Inn Clearwater Beach