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

By Willie Finklin, CFRE, The Grant GOAT

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.

But with that said, there’s more to the story.
While you don’t need to be certified, there are certain skills, experiences, and yes—sometimes credentials—that can give you an edge.

So let’s break down what really matters if you want to be seen as a professional in this field.

What Certifications Are Out There?

First, let’s talk about what’s available, even if it’s not required.
If you want to pursue certification, here are the main ones in the grant writing world:

1. Grant Professional Certification (GPC)

• Offered by the Grant Professionals Certification Institute (GPCI)

• Focuses on ethics, best practices, and grant development

• Requires a written exam and proof of work experience

2. Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE)

• Focuses more broadly on fundraising as a whole, including grants

• Requires an application, professional experience, and a written exam

• Recognized globally as a mark of fundraising excellence

3. Certificate Programs

• Various universities and online platforms offer certificate programs in grant writing

• These are typically short-term and focus on the basics of writing, research, and proposal development

The Truth About Certifications: Do They Matter?

Here’s the truth: Certifications can help, but they are not a golden ticket.
They can make you look more credible, especially if you’re working with larger organizations.
But what matters more is proof of impact.

Funders don’t care if you’re certified.
They care if you can write a clear, compelling proposal that gets funded.

If you have a portfolio of successful grants, that will always outweigh a line on your resume.

What Actually Matters in Grant Writing?

If you want to get real about becoming a sought-after grant writer, here’s what you need to focus on:

1. Research Skills

Can you find the right grants for the right organization?
Are you able to dig deep into eligibility, funder priorities, and application deadlines?

If you can’t find the money, you can’t secure it.

2. Clear and Compelling Writing

You don’t have to be a novelist, but you do have to be able to communicate impact with clarity.
That means:

• No jargon

• No fluff

• Clear outcomes and impact statements

Your job is to make the funder feel confident—not confused.

3. Understanding Funder Priorities

This is where most people mess up.
They write about their mission without ever connecting it to the funder’s mission.

If you want to win more grants, you need to:

• Research the funder’s past grantees

• Study their focus areas

• Align your program with their goals

Remember: You’re not asking for money—you’re offering a solution.

4. Budgeting Skills

A lot of first-time grant writers get tripped up on budgets.
But let me tell you—your budget is just as important as your narrative.

Funders want to see:

• A realistic plan for how their money will be spent

• Alignment between your budget and your program goals

• A breakdown that shows you know what you’re doing

If your numbers are sloppy, funders will assume your operations are too.

5. Evaluation and Reporting

Winning the grant is just the beginning.
You have to prove it worked.

That means understanding:

• What metrics you’ll measure

• How you’ll collect data

• How you’ll report back to the funder

When you master this, funders trust you—and they want to fund you again.

So, Should You Get Certified?

Here’s my honest take:
If you’re just starting out, focus on building a portfolio before you chase certifications.
Get some experience under your belt. Volunteer to write a proposal for a local nonprofit. Take on small projects.

But if you’re looking to move into bigger contracts, work with government grants, or establish yourself as a top-tier professional, a certification like the GPC or CFRE can definitely help you stand out.

The bottom line?
It’s not required—but it’s respected.
And when you combine certification with experience, you position yourself as a true expert in the field.

Final Word: Your Results Matter More Than Your Résumé

When it comes down to it, funders don’t write checks based on your credentials.
They fund clarity. They fund strategy. They fund results.

If you can demonstrate that you understand their goals, articulate your mission clearly, and deliver measurable outcomes, you’re already ahead of the game—certified or not.

Keep building. Keep learning.
And if certification is the next step for you, go for it.
But never let the lack of a certificate stop you from getting started.

We’re here to support you every step of the way.