The Unlock-Grants Course

Follow a proven path to grant writing success

Get the tools, training, and confidence to write winning grants. Includes lifetime support and free grant proposal reviews to help you transform your nonprofit’s funding success.

  • 8 Comprehensive Modules
  • 5+ Hours of Course Content
  • 9 Practical Templates and Tools

  • 15+ Hours of Topic Library Content

Smiling woman on laptop

Transform Theory into Action

This online, self-paced course equips you with practical skills to incorporate grants into your nonprofit fundraising strategy. You’ll get:

  • Comprehensive learning modules with step-by-step guidance
  • Practical workbooks and assignments for hands-on practice
  • Interactive quizzes to reinforce your learning
  • Access to the Topic Library for additional resources and answers
  • Unlimited grant reviews help you continuously improve

What Makes the Unlock-Grants Course Different

Expert-Led

Learn from Carolyn Caldwell, a certified GPC and CFRE with 25 years of fundraising expertise

Self-Paced

Progress through the material at your own speed

Action-Oriented

Apply what you learn with real-world tools and templates

Ongoing Support

Access a library of resources to answer your questions and support your learning journey

Lifetime Grant Proposal Reviews

Submit drafts anytime — expert eyes on every proposal, for life.

Watch overview
Lifetime Grant Proposal Reviews

What People Are Saying

I’ve recently changed careers and am new to grant writing.  This course filled in a lot of gaps for me.. With my past experience, much of grant writing is common sense to me, but there was quite a bit that I found new.”

Sara R.
Sara R.

Winnebago Comprehensive Healthcare System

I feel much more prepared  and comfortable to be in the world of proposal writing. I understand the perspective of the organizations creating the grants and understand how important mission matching is to organizations.”

Jennifer F.

Community Engagement Coordinator, Mid-Ohio Psychological Services

Inside the Course

Your roadmap to grant writing and management confidence

MODULE 0: UNLOCK-GRANTS COURSE INTRODUCTION - 7 MINUTES

Get off on the right foot by hearing Why and How the Unlock-Grants course was constructed.
What You’ll Learn
  • What to expect in the course
  • The importance of the Grant Readiness Assessment
  • A little about your instructor
Included Tools
  • Glossary of Terms
  • GPA Code of Ethics
  • GPA Member Benefits
  • Grant Readiness Assessment

MODULE 1: LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR GRANTS - 45 Minutes

Build your grant foundation by covering the key terms, concepts and relationships grantseekers need to be aware of.
What You’ll Learn
  • Important relationships in the grants ecosystem
  • Key terminology and definitions for grant professionals
  • Foundational concepts for effective grant seeking
Included Tools
  • Funder prospect scorecard
  • Program Fundability scorecard
  • Funder Scorecard

MODULE 2: THE ULTIMATE GRANTS TOOL, The Logic Model

Break down all the components of The Logic Model and the team needed to build them. Discover the importance of Logic Models and their many uses in program planning, design, evaluation, and of course grantseeking!
What You’ll Learn
  • Core components of a robust Logic Model
  • How to develop a comprehensive Logic Model step-by-step
  • Essential team roles and collaboration strategies for Model development
  • Leveraging the Logic Model for program planning and strategic planning
  • Using the Logic Model to strengthen grant applications
  • Techniques for aligning Logic Model elements with funder priorities
  • Methods for tracking and demonstrating program impact
Included Tools
  • Logic model template

MODULE 3: KEY COMPONENTS OF A GRANT APPLICATION, PART 1

Because a lot rests on a funder’s impression of your program’s Need Statement, we’ll cover the critical elements to include. We also break down the sometimes-prickly Sustainability Question, and look at some different ways to approach it.
What You’ll Learn
  • Essential elements of a powerful need statement
  • How to select and present supporting data effectively
  • Ways to demonstrate community impact and urgency
  • Methods for creating compelling organizational case statements
  • Techniques for aligning needs with funder priorities
  • Different approaches to addressing sustainability
Included Tools
  • Elements of a case statement
  • Links to data sources

MODULE 4: KEY COMPONENTS OF A GRANT APPLICATIONS, PART 2

Discover the common grant application questions most funders ask on their grant applications so you can prepare your answers well ahead of proposal deadlines. In addition – we will review a few sample applications that ask most of the long- and short-form questions you may encounter.
What You’ll Learn
  • How to address standard grant application questions effectively
  • Techniques for crafting compelling sustainability responses
  • Methods for preparing reusable content for common questions
  • Strategies for adapting responses for long and short-form applications
  • Best practices for incorporating supporting data
Included Tools
  • Links to data sources
  • Sample applications

MODULE 5: GETTING IT ALL PAID FOR

Program budgets can be tricky, but they don’t have to be. Dive into the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of budgets. Budgets are clarified line by line with easy-to-follow visuals and clear descriptions. A live Excel budget template is provided.
What You’ll Learn
  • How to structure comprehensive program budgets
  • Methods for calculating accurate direct and indirect costs
  • Techniques for aligning budgets with program narratives
  • Best practices for budget presentation and formatting
  • Strategies for explaining complex budget items
Included Tools
  • Live budget templates

MODULE 6: FINDING FUNDERS

Learn the importance of thorough research in successful grantseeking. An actual real-time search is conducted through five different search databases, and a sample 990 is reviewed to uncover all its secrets. A sample dashboard is provided to help you organize your findings.
What You’ll Learn
  • How to effectively utilize five different grant search databases
  • Techniques for extracting key information from funder’s 990 forms
  • Methods for evaluating funder alignment
  • Strategies for prioritizing, organizing, and tracking your funding opportunities
Included Tools
  • Research dashboard
  • Links to data sources

MODULE 7: TOOLS FOR YOUR GRANTS TOOL BELT

Utilize these nine time-saving tools to streamline your grants work and make you more effective at your job. Script outlines prepare you for the different scenarios you will encounter with funders in your grants career. This collection of templates, scorecards, checklists, and outlines help you be more productive, and less stressed!
What You’ll Learn
  • How to evaluate and select grant-ready programs using objective metrics
  • Techniques for managing multiple grant deadlines and requirements
  • Strategic approaches to grant budget development and tracking
  • Professional scripts for various funder interactions and scenarios
Included Tools
  • Program and funder scorecards
  • Grants calendar template
  • Funder call script outlines

MODULE 8: THE GRANTS PIECE OF THE FUNDRAISING PIE

Grants fit into a nonprofit’s larger development initiative. As your grants work builds, learn ways to think about your ROI, and thoughts on adding staff or consultants. Career development and avenues to further learning are also discussed.
What You’ll Learn
  • How to position grants within your broader development strategy
  • Methods for calculating and improving grant program ROI
  • Key considerations for scaling (staffing vs. consulting)
  • Pathways for professional development in grants
  • Best practices for managing organizational growth through grants
Included Tools
  • ROI calculator and probability table
  • Consulting rates calculator
  • Link to “Considering Consulting” blog
  • Links to GPA, GPA Code of Ethics
  • Consultant’s Directory
  • Compensation survey

Each module I completed something new and understood a new perspective. Carolyn did a fantastic job identifying the parts of grant writing that are truly important while providing resources to make grant writing easier in the future.”

Jennifer F.

Community Engagement Coordinator, Mid-Ohio Psychological Services

Earn Education Credits & GPA Membership Discount

Earn 5 CFRE and GPCI Education credits along with a discounted Grant Professionals Association membership upon completion of the Unlock-Grants course.

Choose Your Learning Path

Pay As You Go

$75
/module
✓ Individual module access
✓ Topic Library access
✓ Progress at your pace
Start with Module 1
Best Value

Complete Course

$499
/lifetime access
Save $100
✓ All 8 modules instantly
✓ Full Topic Library access
✓ All tools & templates
✓ Assignment & Grant Proposal reviews
Get Full Access
Special Offer
Small Nonprofit? Get 2 Seats for the Price of 1

For organizations with operating budgets under $1M, train two team members for $499.

  • Secure Checkout
  • Instant Access
  • Lifetime Access

Nonprofits

Build or enhance your grants program with proven frameworks and tools

  • Secure consistent funding

  • Train new grant writers

  • Streamline processes

Grant Professionals

Launch or advance your grant writing career with industry-standard skills

  • Master best practices
  • Get practical templates
  • Build confidence

Consultants

Train your team with standardized, proven methodologies

  • Onboard subcontractors
  • Ensure quality
  • Scale operations

I think this course is great for individuals at all all stages of their grant careers. If you are new, you do not feel like you’re drowning with any vocabulary or tools/concepts that would benefit you / a team.”

Kirshana G.

City of Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility

Kirshana G.

Build Confidence, Win Grants

FAQ

What makes Unlock-Grants different from other grant writing training?

Enrollment in the Unlock-Grants course offers lifetime access to expert proposal review, self-paced online learning, and comprehensive study materials including a complete workbook and Topic Library of expert interviews. The course is taught by a certified grants professional with 25 years of experience and qualifies for GPC/CFRE education points. Plus, small nonprofits receive two user licenses for the price of one.

The Unlock-Grants course provides the resources, training, and support you need to confidently write effective grant proposals. You’ll learn how to assess grant opportunities, build compelling narratives, create accurate budgets, and develop strong relationships with funders. Whether you’re securing funding for your nonprofit or building a career as a grant writer, you’ll have lifetime access to proposal review and expert guidance. The course includes GPC/CFRE certification credits to support your professional development.

The Unlock-Grants Topic Library is a collection of short, focused videos (4-40 minutes) covering advanced grant writing topics and real-world examples. You’ll get lifetime access to over 10 hours of content including expert interviews, case studies, and guidance on specialized grants, career development, and management strategies. The Library features practical advice on working with different departments, using productivity tools, and improving your grant submissions. You can also review sample Logic Models, Need Statements, and get feedback on your draft proposals.

LIFETIME! Enrollment in the Unlock-Grants course provides lifetime access to all course materials, including recorded content and the Topic Library. This includes unlimited proposal reviews from our grant experts and ongoing support for your questions throughout your career.

While we don’t offer traditional payment plans, we do provide a flexible payment option: you can purchase modules individually for $75 each rather than paying $499 upfront for the full course. Small nonprofits with budgets under $1 million qualify for two user licenses for the price of one.

The course contains 5+ hours of content across 8 modules. Most students finish within 4 weeks, spending about 1.25 hours per week on the materials. Since it’s self-paced, you can complete it on your own schedule. Plus, you’ll have access to our Topic Library, which offers an additional 10+ hours of growing content that you can explore anytime.