Grant Writing 102: The Blueprint for Competitive Proposals

 

• Date: Thursday, November 6, 2025

•  Time: 5:30 -7:30 PM EST

•  Format: Virtual (Live via Zoom)

•  CE Credits: 2 CEUs for Social Workers, Counselors, & MFTs

•  Registration: $10

 

This intermediate-level session builds on foundational grant concepts and takes you step-by-step through the full proposal development process. You’ll learn effective strategies for finding and researching funding opportunities, how to thoughtfully address each core component of a grant proposal, and how to craft clear, persuasive narratives that combine compelling data with a strong Theory of Change.

 

Whether you’re applying for your first grant or looking to sharpen your skills, The Blueprint offers practical tools and insights to help you confidently move your project from idea to competitive application — designed specifically for social workers, mental health professionals, and community practitioners seeking meaningful impact and CEU credit.

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What You’ll Learn

• How to find and assess funding opportunities

• Writing effective LOIs and needs statements

• Setting clear goals, objectives, and outcomes

• Building strong program and budget plans

• Managing awards and funder relationships

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Learning Topics
 

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

 

• Locate and assess at least two relevant grant opportunities using platforms, search terms, and competitor intelligence.

• Describe the purpose and required elements of at least four key grant sections: LOI, Needs Statement, Program Design, and Evaluation Plan.

• Draft a concise Needs Statement that integrates both data and narrative storytelling.

• Define and differentiate between a goal and a SMART objective, and write one example of each related to a proposed program.

• Outline a basic plan for sustaining a program beyond the grant period and summarize essential post-award responsibilities.

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Topics Covered

 

• Welcome & Recap from Grant Writing 101

• Where to Find Grants (Platforms, Search Terms, Competitor Intel)

• Letter of Intent (LOI): When & How

• Organization Info & Executive Summary

• Needs Statement: Data + Story

• Theory of Change: Linking Why → What → How → Outcomes

• Goals vs. Objectives: Making It SMART

• Program Design & Evaluation Plan

• Sustainability: Beyond the Grant Period

• Budget Development & Narrative

• Post-Award Management: Reporting & Relationship Building

• Tips for Clarity, Alignment, and Handling Rejection

• Final Thoughts & Q&A

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Instructional Methods

 

• Interactive lecture with real-world examples

• Group discussion and Q&A

• Brief hands-on exercises

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Course Requirements for CEU Credit

 

• To receive CEU credit, participants must:

• Attend the entire session

• Participate in the opening exercise and at least one discussion

• Complete a short post-course knowledge check

 

Assessment
 

• Post-Course Knowledge Check: 8–10 questions evaluating proposal sections, funding search strategies, narrative writing, budget basics, and post-award responsibilities.

• Participation: Engagement during discussions or critique activity.

• SMART Goal Alignment: Each activity measures learning outcomes and real-world application.

 

Materials Provided
 

• 102-slide presentation (PDF)

• Template report form (PA Common Grant Application)

• Sample organizational budget and sources & uses budget