Course Syllabus

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O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs 
V481-12170 Grant Writing for Public and Nonprofit Organizations 

Instructor: Camryn Greer; camgreer@iu.edu; (423) 483-6373 

Class Meeting Time: Tu/Th 9:35 AM–10:50 AM 

Location: BQ C129 (Briscoe Quad) 

Office Hours: Directly after class or by appointment.  

 

Course Description 

The purpose of this course is to prepare students for grant proposal development. Students will explore various skills including how to identify appropriate grant sources; conceptualize, write and submit a grant proposal for funding; prepare a grant budget; and evaluate grant proposals. 

Learning Outcomes 

By the end of the semester students should be able to: 

  • Explain the role of philanthropy, nonprofits, and grantmaking in addressing community challenges.  
  • Write major components of a competitive grant proposal.  
  • Apply storytelling and persuasive communication techniques to grant writing.  
  • Design fundable programs using needs assessments, logic models, and measurable objectives.  
  • Evaluate grant proposals using funding criteria and review rubrics.  
  • Participate in grant review panels and develop funding recommendations. 

REQUIRED Texts:  

  • Karsh, E. & Fox, A.S. (2019) The Only Grant-writing Book You’ll Ever Need. New York: Basic Books.  
    • Accessible on Canvas, though definitely a good one to add to your library. 
  • English, L., O'Neal-McElrath, T., & Kanter, L. (2025). Winning grants step by step: The complete workbook for planning, developing, and writing successful proposals (6th ed.). Jossey-Bass. 
    • Accessible on Canvas, though definitely a good one to add to your library.  
  • Other readings will be posted directly on Canvas 

 

COURSE POLICIES: 

ATTENDANCE: 

  • Attendance will be taken. Students are allowed (3) missed classes with no explanation required, and any additional absences must be based on AES documentation or other IU requirement (such as Title IX). This accounts for illnesses, job interviews, family emergencies, etc, so please plan accordingly 
    • Without official documentation directly connected to official IU policy, there will be no exceptions to this policy. 
    • Absences over the allotted three (3) will result in a 30-point (3%) deduction per class missed. 
    • Students who are absent six (6) or more times will receive a failing grade in the class. 
    • TARDINESS:  (3) instances of tardiness of more than 5 minutes will count as (1) class absence.

CLASS PREPARATION:  

You must have the reading completed before the class for which it is assigned. This class will be discussion-heavy, and you will find that active engagement in the course material will be the most effective means for your learning. 

  • When we have guest speakers, a level of professional conduct and participation consistent with a pre-professional degree program is expected. You may be asked to prepare 2-3 questions in advance of class on guest speaker days.  
  • How much time should you be spending on this class? Per O’Neill policy, as this is a standard 3-credit semester length class, you are expected to spend an average of 6 or more hours outside of class per week on reading, studying, assignments, etc. 

COLLABORATION:

This class is heavy on group collaboration and participation. For all pair-based or group-based work, ALL group members are expected to equally contribute to the deliverables. If you are unable to contribute meaningfully or meet the expectations of group work in this class due to circumstances outside of your control, please let the instructor know as soon as possible. Peer assessments can and will be assigned at various points during the semester.  

MAKE-UP ASSIGNMENTS: 

The lowest quiz grade (10 point quiz) and lowest class participation grade (10 point class participation grade) will be dropped at the end of the semester. Otherwise, there will be no make-ups offered in this class as most of the core work we will be doing will be done in a group setting in class*

*clarification 9/23/2026

A quick clarification regarding the make-up policy in the syllabus: quizzes are administered periodically throughout the semester based on our progress and when I need to assess understanding of course material. Missed quizzes cannot be made up and will receive a zero.

At the end of the semester, the lowest single quiz grade will be dropped for each student. Therefore, if you miss a quiz, the zero may ultimately become your dropped quiz grade; however, you will then no longer have that drop available to offset a lower score on another quiz.

Quiz point values may vary somewhat depending on the material being assessed.

 

LATE ASIGNMENTS: 

Late assignments submitted within 24 hours of the posted deadline will be docked by 10%. Assignments will not be accepted if submitted more than 24 hours past the deadline posted on Canvas. Some assignments close completely at the assigned deadline and cannot be submitted late. 

TECHNOLOGY POLICY: 

  • Cellphones: Cell phone usage is NOT permitted in the classroom. If a student is seen using their cell phone during class, points will be deducted in the Attendance and Participation category.  
  • Laptops/iPads/etc: Devices with screens will not be needed in this class most of the time. Please come prepared with your laptop on most weeks, but plan on leaving all electronics off of your desk during class unless instructed to utilize your device for in-class work. 

LATE WITHDRAWAL: 

See https://calendars.registrar.indiana.edu/official-calendar/ for dates.  NOTE: late withdrawals used to require instructor permission but now only require consultation with the instructor.  

After the auto-W deadline, withdrawal will be significantly limited, and you will need permission to withdraw and must meet requirements established by O’Neill. 

 

 

COURSE STRUCTURE & ASSIGNMENTS: 

In this course, students will learn about grants from three perspectives: funders, grant writers, and grant reviewers. The course will be divided into three corresponding content blocks. Content blocks are outlined below, and the schedule of readings and assignments will be posted prior to the beginning of the semester.  

Block 1: Finding Your Voice & Understanding the Funding Landscape 

We will answer the question Why should anyone fund your work? 

Key Deliverables: 

  • Intro to Grant Writing Survey
  • Public Narrative Self Reflection
  • Funder Evaluation Assignment
  • Reflections + In-Class Assignments

Guest Speaker:   

  • Marcus Whited, Program Director at the Community Foundation of Greater Bloomington 


Block 2: Building a Competitive Grant Proposal 

We will answer the question How do you design a project worth funding? 

Key Deliverables: 

  • Midterm Exam
  • Project Proposal and Logic Model
  • Individual Grant Components
  • LOI Presentation
  • Reflections + In-Class Assignments

 Guest Speaker:   

  • Eric Ashby, Director of Programs at the Indiana Arts Commission 

Block 3: Becoming a Grant Reviewer 

We will answer the question How do funders decide what gets funded? 

Key Deliverables: 

  • Reflections + In-Class Assignments
  • Final Grant Packet 
  • Jack Hopkins Funding Recommendations
  • Peer Grant Cycle Funding Recommendations
  • Final Reflection Paper 

Guest Speaker:   

  • Nicole Bennett, Assistant Director for the Center for Refugee Studies 

Reflections, quizzes, and in-class assignments will be sprinkled throughout the semester. As stated in the course policies section, attendance and in-class participation make up a MAJOR percentage of your grade in this class.  

 

GENERATIVE AI POLICY: 

Generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, and similar technologies) are becoming increasingly common in nonprofit and professional settings. While students will discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with AI throughout the semester, the primary purpose of this course is to develop your own critical thinking, writing, analysis, and grant development skills. 

As a general rule, students are expected to generate and communicate their own ideas, opinions, reflections, analyses, and recommendations without the assistance of AI. Much of the learning in this course occurs through the process of thinking through problems, developing arguments, evaluating proposals, and articulating your own perspectives. AI should not replace that work. 

Permitted Uses 

Unless otherwise stated for a specific assignment, students may use generative AI tools in limited ways, including: 

  • Brainstorming potential topics or project ideas 
  • Generating questions to guide research 
  • Clarifying concepts or terminology related to grant writing and nonprofit management 
  • Assisting with proofreading, grammar, spelling, and formatting 
  • Receiving feedback on writing after an original draft has been completed by the student 
  • Students may also use the free version of Grammarly and Microsoft Word's built-in spelling and grammar tools. 

 

Prohibited Uses 

Unless explicitly authorized as part of an assignment, students may not: 

  • Use AI to write reflection assignments 
  • Use AI to generate discussion board posts or classroom responses 
  • Use AI to create proposal narratives, needs statements, goals and objectives, budgets, reviewer comments, funding recommendations, or other graded written work 
  • Submit AI-generated text as their own work 
  • Use AI to complete peer reviews, grant evaluations, panel scoring, or funding recommendations 
  • Use AI to replace their own analysis, judgment, or decision-making 

Transparency and Academic Integrity 

  • If AI is used for any permitted purpose, students should be prepared to explain how it was used and what portion of the work was completed independently. Failure to disclose unauthorized AI use may be considered a violation of the Indiana University Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct. Inclusion of a thorough Explanation of AI Usage will also make up a core percentage of a student’s grade on relevant assignments.  
  • If you use AI in an unauthorized manner, you will be committing plagiarism* and will be subject to penalties in this class and sanctions by Indiana University.   
    • WARNING: Submitting any questions, assignments, notes, slides, or other instructor-produced course materials into Generative AI without permission is a violation of the faculty member’s exclusive rights and will be reported to the Dean of Students as academic misconduct.  
    • *Plagiarism: Plagiarism is defined as presenting someone else’s work, including the work of other students, as one’s own. Any ideas or materials taken from another source for either written or oral use must be fully acknowledged, unless the information is common knowledge. https://studentcode.iu.edu/responsibilities/academic-misconduct.html. (emphasis added)  

NOTE: Course Materials and Instructor’s Exclusive Rights. 

  • The faculty member teaching this course holds the exclusive right to distribute, modify, post, and reproduce course materials, including all written materials, study guides, lectures, assignments, exercises, and exams. While you are permitted to take notes on the online materials and lectures posted for this course for your personal use, you are not permitted to re-post in another forum, upload to AI, distribute, reproduce content from this course, or sell the instructor’s course materials (including notes and study guides) without the express written permission of the faculty member. 
  • Violations of this policy will be reported to the Dean of Students as academic misconduct (violation of course rules). Sanctions for academic misconduct may include a failing grade on the assignment for which the notes/study guides are being sold, a reduction in your final course grade, or a failing grade in the course, among other possibilities.  
  • Additionally, you should know that selling a faculty member’s course using IU email, or via Canvas may also constitute a violation of IU information technology and IU intellectual property policies; additional consequences may result. 

 

What the IU Community expects of you: 

O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs 

Student Honor Code 

Introduction 

The O’Neill School takes matters of honesty and integrity seriously.  We expect O’Neill students will, at all times, maintain academic integrity and civil and professional standards of conduct.  

Scope 

O’Neill’s Student Honor Code applies to all courses and programs offered by O’Neill, and to all students who participate in O’Neill classes and programs, regardless of whether students are admitted to O’Neill. Students studying at O’Neill are expected to continue their commitment to ethical behavior in all their endeavors, including, but not limited to, coursework inside and outside of O’Neill, internships, community service, and overseas study.  

O’Neill’s Student Honor Code incorporates IU’s Code of Student Right, Responsibilities, & Conduct and extends to matters of civility and professional conduct, including, expectations about class attendance, punctuality, participation in class, and decorum in class and at other school functions. 

 Academic Conduct Requirements   

  • Academic misconduct is defined as any activity that tends to undermine the academic integrity of the institution. 
  • Academic misconduct includes the use of any technology or assistance, including AI, that is not permitted by the instructor.  

Civility and Professional Conduct Requirements 

O’Neill requires that all students treat others with mutual respect and behave professionally in the classroom and during all academic and non-academic activities. 

These civility and professional conduct requirements foster an appropriate atmosphere inside and outside the classroom: 

  • Students must regularly attend and be fully prepared for class, including completing readings.  
  • Students must not behave in a way that interrupts or distracts from teaching or learning.  For example, students must be punctual in their arrival to class and be present and attentive for the duration of the class. They must not sleep, do work for another class, or wander in and out of the classroom, pack up, or leave class early (unless an emergency exists). 
  • Students must abide by the course policy regarding use of electronic devices in the classroom, including a requirement that no electronics are allowed or that students are not permitted to use devices for non-class related purposes. 
  • Students must responsibly participate in class activities and during team meetings for course assignments.  
  • Students must attend scheduled meetings with faculty or staff, events for which they have RSVPed, interviews with prospective employers, and student organization meetings.   
  • Students must address faculty members, other students, and others appropriately and with respect, whether in person, in writing, or in electronic communications. 
  • Students must show tolerance and respect for others.  
  • Students must practice respect and responsible stewardship of the physical resources of the school, refraining from destroying or defacing school property, integrating practices of sustainability, and contributing to a clean and orderly physical environment in all buildings, classrooms, offices, and meeting spaces.    

Reporting  

Students must abide by the O’Neill Student Honor Code themselves and hold their peers to the same standards. Students should report suspected instances of academic, civility, or professional misconduct to the instructor of the course. Students should report suspected instances of personal misconduct to the IU Office of Student Conduct. 

Student Resources: 

Counseling and Psychological Services  

For information about services offered to students by CAPS:  http://healthcenter.indiana.edu/counseling/index.shtml 

TimelyCare 

Indiana students have free, 24/7 access to virtual mental health care services with TimelyCare. Students do not need insurance to access TimelyCare services. https://www.iu.edu/mental-health/find-resources/timely-care.html#0  

Religious Accommodation Requests 

The "Request for Accommodation for Religious Observances" form must be submitted by the student to the professor no later than two weeks prior to the anticipated absence.  A separate form must be submitted for each absence and for each course. Faculty do not have to consider accommodations for the purpose of allowing students to travel away from Bloomington for religious observance.  Information about the policy is found here: https://vpfaa.indiana.edu/resources/religious-observances-information.html. 

Accessible Educational Services (formerly Disability Services for Students)  

Securing accommodations for a student with disabilities is a responsibility shared by the student, the instructor, and the AES Office. For information about support services or accommodations available to students with disabilities, and for the procedures to be followed by students and instructors: https://studentlife.indiana.edu/student-support/iub-aes/index.html 

Sexual Harassment   

As your instructor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment on our campus. Title IX and our own Sexual Misconduct policy prohibit sexual misconduct.  If you have experienced sexual misconduct, or know someone who has, the University can help.  

If you are seeking help and would like to talk to someone confidentially, you can make an appointment with: 

  • The Sexual Assault Crisis Service (SACS) at 812-855-8900 
  • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 812-855-5711 
  • Confidential Victim Advocates (CVA) at 812-856-2469 
  • IU Health Center at 812-855-4011 

For more information about available resources:  http://stopsexualviolence.iu.edu/help/index.html. It is also important to know that federal regulations and University policy require me to promptly convey any information about potential sexual misconduct known to me to our campus’ Deputy Title IX Coordinator or IU’s Title IX Coordinator.  In that event, they will work with a small number of others on campus to ensure that appropriate measures are taken and resources are made available to the student who may have been harmed.  Protecting a student’s privacy is of utmost concern, and all involved will only share information with those that need to know to ensure the University can respond and assist.  I encourage you to visit http://stopsexualviolence.iu.edu/help/index.html to learn more. 

IU Culture Centers: https://studentlife.indiana.edu/communities/culture-centers/index.html  

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due