A lot of lively discussions, etc. A lot like a university seminar style class. The materials are also very good and do include the info on funding sources, etc. that I was looking for.

There was one other freelance writer in the room looking to do the same thing I am. The presenter painted a grim picture for writers who “try to make a living” writing grants, citing someone he knows who lost his shirt by essentially “writing on spec” with the understanding that he wouldn’t be paid unless the organization was actually awarded a grant. (Duh.)

My plan was and is to just add one more service–not switch to grant writing from a successful copywriting biz. That’s really what the Many Hats thing is all about (and I’m thinking it’s a good idea in this economy).

Anyhow, ever since I got back to the office I’ve been slammed with copywriting work, so . . . ;~}.

Judging from your blog, you’re a good writer to begin with; in our experience, grant writing training is fairly useless, for reasons explained in Credentials for Grant Writers—If I Only Had A Brain and its various follow-ups. You’ll probably get more from our blog, Grant Writing Confidential, than you will from a grant writing class, and, if not that, then from a journalism class.

The grant writing experience of the church you quote from isn’t uncommon, and the flakiness of many practitioners is a major problem in grant writing. If you’re going to solve it in your corner of the universe, that’s a good thing.