Winning the Proposal: Strategies to Write a Successful Grant

Effective grant seeking is about more than filling out an application form. It involves strategic prospect research, detailed project planning, and articulating a compelling case, all while employing efficient tools, processes, and systems. This workshop will teach you how to be successful in this process.

Session Dates:

The workshop will consist of four, 90-minute sessions taking place from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM MT on each of the following dates:

• June 16, 2025
• June 18, 2025
• June 23, 2025
• June 25, 2025

This is an instructor-led online course. Using ample tools, reference materials, examples, and strategies for success, over a period of four, 90-minute sessions, this workshop will cover:

• Current trends in grant funding
• Funder search techniques, tools, and tips
• Organizational capacity, creating efficiencies, removing roadblocks
• Preparation of key proposal components
• Proposal refinement

What’s Included:

• 4 live virtual interactive sessions with group discussions, learning activities, take-home materials, and additional resources
• Opportunities for one-to-one questions and feedback from the course facilitator
• Opportunity to network and connect with other industry professionals

This course is ideal for:

• Entry to mid-level environmental professionals wanting to learn about grant seeking and developing their skills in project planning for proposal development
• Mid-level environmental professionals with some grants experience who want to refresh their knowledge and sharpen their skills

Facilitator: Barbara McMillan
Consultant and Instructor

Barbara McMillan’s extensive experience as a grantor, grantee, and instructor in grantwriting provides a rich backdrop to help individuals and organizations build their capacity in grantseeking and proposal writing. Besides having assessed over 1000 grant applications, she has written many successful proposals, and has taught grantseeking for over 30 years, including the Grant and Proposal Writing Course in BCIT’s Fundraising Management Certificate Program. Barbara holds a BA in Communications from Simon Fraser University and a Master of Management Degree (National Voluntary Sector Leaders) from McGill University. She has over 40 years’ experience working and volunteering with a wide range of community and civil sector organizations locally and globally, including Vancouver Foundation, Community Foundations of Canada, Health Canada’s Health Promotion Directorate, and United Way BC. Barbara’s active interest in environmental issues has included involvement with initiatives and organizations such as the North Shore Rain Garden Project, Cool North Shore, and the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society.