San Diego and California are home to thousands of nonprofit organizations, including nonprofit organizations like community food banks, mentoring programs, health clinics, art organizations, environmental organizations,as well as school districts and local governments. These organizations must compete for funding in an increasingly challenging funding environment. Grant writing is a key component of securing funding for many of San Diego's most dynamic organizations.
Fall Courses Now Available
With a Professional Certificate in Grant Writing from SDSU Global Campus, you’ll learn how to research and construct grant proposals that are clear, persuasive, and aligned with the priorities of your funders.
About the Program
San Diego and California are home to thousands of nonprofit organizations. These organizations must compete for funding in an increasingly challenging funding environment. Grant writing is a key component of securing funding for many of San Diego's most dynamic organizations. Nonprofits, school districts, and local governments regularly seek staff and consultants with comprehensive writing, research, and strategic skills to obtain grant funding.
$898
Total Estimated Cost
10 weeks
Min. Completion Time
Online + Asynchronous
Course Format
Build your grant writing skills and learn how to market yourself to employers by earning a Professional Certificate in Grant Writing from SDSU Global Campus. In as few as 10 weeks, you’ll learn how to develop compelling grant proposals that will help your organization obtain the funding it needs.
What Do Our Students Have to Say?
By taking these courses on Grant Writing, I now have a greater understanding of the nonprofit world. I went into the program as a volunteer at many nonprofits and now I have the tools to help me break into this nonprofit field. With this certificate, I hope to stand out above other applicants that are going for these nonprofit positions."
- Kaitlen Daigle, Assignment Editor, Fox 5 San Diego
Is This Program Right for Me?
Are you an SDSU Alumni Lifetime Member? If so, click here to learn more about how you can receive 20% off registration for this program.
Your organization needs funding. SDSU’s Grant Writing Certificate program can help you get them. Whether you’re new to grant writing, or you’re taking on a new role in your organization, our program can show you how to develop compelling, effective grant proposals in just 10 weeks.
SDSU’s online grant writing courses will show you how to get funds for a variety of organizations, including:
- Community Food Banks
- Mentoring Programs
- Health Clinics
- Art Organizations
- Environmental Organizations
- School Districts
- Local Governments
- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
This program is ideal for current and aspiring grant writers working full-time and freelancing, as well as:
- Employees from nonprofit organizations
- Employees from city and county governments, chambers of commerce
- Individuals working in education (private and public)
- Public health professionals
- Social workers
- Independent consultants/ grant writers
This program is focused on nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations that provide charitable or public benefit services. The course is not oriented toward research grants or grants for individuals or businesses.
SDSU is a State-approved provider for the Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). If you’re unemployed or underemployed, you may be eligible to receive full or partial tuition assistance on this program. Equal Opportunity is the Law. Equal opportunity employer/program auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Click here to learn more.
What Can I Learn?
SDSU’s online grant writing courses will show you how to craft grant proposals that will help your organization compete in an increasingly competitive funding environment.
Employers look for both training and experience in their grant writers. This grant writing program will help you:
- Build the foundational knowledge you need to identify and research grant prospects.
- Write a proposal.
- Work to help nonprofit leaders strategically position their organizations to succeed.
- Learn how to interview staff and volunteers to get the information you need to develop highly-effective grant proposals.
- Combine your technical writing skills with the ability to understand guidelines, communicate clearly and persuasively with your audience.
- Develop a compelling program narrative and budget.
- Gain a deeper understanding of nonprofit management and programming.
- Learn how to strengthen an organization to better compete for funds.
The program consists of two 25-hour online courses:
- Introduction to Grants and Funding Research is designed for those with no or little prior experience developing grant proposals. This course requires approximately 3-4 hours of work per week, including homework.
- Grant Proposal Development will provide you with an opportunity to practice and develop grant writing skills. This course requires approximately 4-6 hours of work per week, including homework.
Lessons in both courses are pre-recorded, which means that you can watch them on your schedule. You’ll also connect with your instructor one-on-one via email and the course’s discussion board.
To earn your Professional Certificate in Grant Writing, you’ll need to complete both courses.
Meet Your Instructor
Learn how to craft winning grant proposals from grant writing expert Jay Katz. In 1995, Jay founded Grants West a San Diego-based organization that provides grant proposal writing services in California, Colorado, and all over the country. Over the past 25 years, he’s helped hundreds of organizations raise $190 million through 1,300 funded grants and awards.
Get Help from the SDSU Writing Center
When you join the program, you’ll be able to get valuable feedback on your writing from the San Diego State University Writing Center. Click here to learn more.
Career Outcomes
Labor Analysis
Fundraising Manager — Nationwide
101,300
Job postings in the last 12 months
+16%
Projected job growth in the next 10 years
$73,073
Average salary of graduates
Source: Burning Glass/Emsi, 2022
With budget cuts and revenue shortages across the country, today’s funding environment is fiercer than ever before. As nonprofit organizations compete for funds, they’re seeking well-trained grant writers to research and develop highly-effective grant proposals.
Nationwide employment opportunities for grant writers are projected to grow by more than 10% over the next decade. Compensation is varied — according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many grant writers are self-employed, and they usually charge a flat fee or an hourly rate for their services.
According to Glassdoor, the national average salary for a grant writer is $51,395, and can range from $33,000 to over $80,000 per year, depending on your experience level, location, and other factors.
Why Should You Choose Us?
Accessibility
All courses are 100% online, self-paced, and accessible from anywhere in the world, which makes this grant writing program ideal for working professionals and busy students. You can complete the program in as few as 10 weeks, or take up to two years to complete all your courses.
Highly-Experienced Instructor
This grant writing program is led by expert grant writer Jay Katz. He brings over 25 years of professional grant writing experience to every virtual lesson. Through his expertise, you’ll learn what works — and what doesn’t — for today’s grant writers.
Reputation
As one of the top 100 public colleges in the country, when you earn a certificate from San Diego State University, you’re putting a name on your résumé that will help you stand out in the professional world.
Want To Learn More?
Submit this web form and we’ll be in touch to answer all your questions and explain the next steps in the process. Or, you can reach a program recruiter by emailing recruiter.global@sdsu.edu or by calling (619) 594-7700.