Do You Need to Be Certified to Be a Grant Writer? What Actually Matters

Do You Need to Be Certified to Be a Grant Writer? What Actually Matters

Do You Need to Be Certified to Be a Grant Writer? What Actually MattersWillie Finklin, CFRE, The Grant GOAT
Published on: 03/07/2025

Let’s clear up one of the biggest myths in grant writing right now: You don’t need a certification to be a successful grant writer. That’s right. No degree. No special government-issued license. Some of the best grant writers I know didn’t come up through any formalized program. They learned the craft by doing the work, by studying the craft, and by writing their way to funding.

Nonprofit SuccessGrant Writing and Proposal Development
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Can You Apply for Multiple Grants at Once? Here’s What You Need to Know

Can You Apply for Multiple Grants at Once? Here’s What You Need to Know

Can You Apply for Multiple Grants at Once? Here’s What You Need to KnowWillie Finklin, CFRE, The Grant GOAT
Published on: 26/06/2025

You’ve found three, four—maybe even five—grants that seem like the perfect fit for your nonprofit. But now you’re hesitating. Can I apply for multiple grants at the same time? Will that make me look desperate? Will funders find out and get turned off? Let me put your mind at ease: Yes, you absolutely can apply for multiple grants at once. In fact, you should.

Nonprofit SuccessGrant Writing and Proposal Development
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Proving the Promise: How to Measure and Report on Grant-Funded Success

Proving the Promise: How to Measure and Report on Grant-Funded Success

Proving the Promise: How to Measure and Report on Grant-Funded SuccessWillie Finklin, CFRE, The Grant GOAT
Published on: 19/06/2025

You won the grant. The funding came in, and your program is off the ground. But here’s the part many nonprofits get wrong: reporting. Winning the money is only half the game. To keep funders coming back—and to maintain credibility—you have to prove that their investment paid off. And that’s where most nonprofits stumble.

Nonprofit SuccessGrant Writing and Proposal Development
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How Long Does It Take to Write and Win a Grant? A Timeline You Can Trust

How Long Does It Take to Write and Win a Grant? A Timeline You Can Trust

How Long Does It Take to Write and Win a Grant? A Timeline You Can TrustWillie Finklin, CFRE, The Grant GOAT
Published on: 12/06/2025

By Willie Finklin, CFRE, The Grant GOA If you’ve ever wondered, “How long is this grant process really going to take?”—you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions I get from nonprofit founders. And the answer? It depends.

Nonprofit SuccessGrant Writing and Proposal Development
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