Course Syllabus

Grant Writing that Works: Practical Skills for Winning Proposals

Course Objective: Secure essential funding for your organization through this comprehensive, practice-based approach to grant writing. This course equips public and nonprofit professionals with strategic skills spanning the complete grant lifecycle—from identifying opportunities and crafting compelling proposals to managing funds and building sustainable funding relationships. 

Who Should Attend:  This course benefits nonprofit program staff and executives, development officers and fundraising professionals, grant consultants and proposal writers, as well as public sector professionals seeking external funding. Anyone looking to enhance their organization’s grant success rate will find valuable, applicable strategies throughout this comprehensive program. The techniques and skills taught apply universally across sectors, however, many of the examples come from the instructors’ expertise in food security organizations and may be particularly beneficial to those working in that sector. Rutgers University is committed to providing an inclusive learning environment. Participants requiring accommodations should contact the course administrators prior to enrollment, and all course materials will be made available in accessible formats.

What You Will Gain:

• A framework for identifying, securing, and managing grants
• Strategic approaches to align funding opportunities with organizational mission
• Narrative techniques that transform ideas into funded proposals
• Essential knowledge of compliance, evaluation, and financial reporting
• Ethical integration of emerging AI tools to enhance your grant writing process
• All participants who fully complete the course requirements will earn a digital badge from Rutgers University

Course Format: This course combines expert-led instruction with interactive learning through an engaging blend of methodologies. Participants will benefit from focused lectures on grant strategy and best practices, analyze real-world case studies, engage in forum discussions with feedback, proposal development exercises, and gain practical experience with AI-enhanced grant writing tools. This approach ensures concepts are both thoroughly understood and immediately applicable. Participants will need a computer and stable internet connection to access the course. Otherwise, all resources, including additional websites, informational media, and more, will be made available on the Rutgers Canvas site for the course.

About the Instructors: Anthony Capece is an experienced grant writing professional and food systems expert with nearly 15 years of experience in securing competitive funding for nonprofit and public sector organizations. As Founder and Principal Consultant at Capece Consulting, he has helped clients secure over $800 million in funding from federal agencies, national foundations, and corporate sponsors. His portfolio includes successful grants from the USDA, EPA, FEMA, the Kresge Foundation, and numerous other funders. Prior to his consulting work, Anthony served as Associate Director at Elijah’s Promise in New Brunswick, where he managed federal awards, oversaw workforce development programs, and directed grant writing efforts for a $2 million-plus nonprofit. His leadership helped the organization secure prestigious national funding, including the Kresge Foundation’s Fresh, Local & Equitable initiative and the Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge. Anthony holds a Master’s in City & Regional Planning with a focus on Sustainability and Food Systems Planning from Rutgers University and a BS in Environmental Studies from SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry. His interdisciplinary background in urban planning, sustainable agriculture, and environmental analysis informs his approach to grant writing and program design across various sectors.

Asia E. Marche is a certified project manager and business analyst with over six years of experience supporting nonprofits, startups, and public institutions. She has worked with clients such as the Petey Greene Prisoner Assistance Program, Rutgers University, Angela Rye, Parklane Dental, and the City of Atlantic City. Asia has served on the grant review panel for the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities and advises nonprofits on identifying alternative funding sources beyond traditional grants. She holds a Master’s in City & Regional Planning and a Business Administration certificate from Cornell University. Asia has taught in New Jersey prisons and served as a guest lecturer at high schools and universities, bringing real-world insights to diverse learning environments. Her work centers on empowering others with strategic tools, fresh perspectives, and actionable solutions that drive sustainable success.

Course Outline and Class Schedule: This course is remote, meaning it’s fully online. It is also asynchronous, so you can do it at your own pace. We have it broken down into modules and we anticipate each module will take about one week. However, it can be completed more quickly or more slowly based on each participant’s wishes and ability. There are no due dates, but we anticipate it taking approximately 1-2 hours per week for each weeklong module, with approximately 60 minutes of instruction and the remaining time devoted to participation on the class forum and self-directed learning with the resources made available.