This month, we're highlighting Candid's Introduction to Proposal Writing, a self-paced course that combines short videos, readings, downloadable worksheets, and knowledge checks to help strengthen your grant-writing skills. From needs statements and SMART goals to staffing, sustainability, and project budgets, the course provides a framework you can revisit and update as your organization and our community evolve.

Stay tuned for our July newsletter highlighting upcoming live webinars and exploring how to optimize your Candid profile so funders can find you more easily.

Building a Strong Proposal Framework

A great proposal starts long before you find a grant opportunity. Candid's Introduction to Proposal Writing walks through the core components every organization should have in place:



• a compelling needs statement
• SMART goals
• staffing plans
• project sustainability
• a realistic budget

The result is a reusable framework that can be adapted for future grant applications and updated as your organization and community evolve.

Why Take This Course This Summer?

Summer can be the perfect season to strengthen your grant-writing foundation. This self-paced course includes videos, readings (including the Power of Asset Framing), downloadable worksheets (like this editable Project Proposal Worksheet), and knowledge checks that help you organize key information in one place.

By investing in these fundamentals now, you'll be better prepared when new funding opportunities arise—including the searching for funding through Candid Search and workshops this fall.

Additional Resources

June Live Webinars

Candid Learning offers a variety of live webinars for building nonprofit professional skills. Take a peek at what's coming up this month:

• June 25th - 1pm: Navigating Grants with Candid
• On Demand: Funding Beyond Federal - How to Diversify Funding to Ensure Stability in Uncertain Times (1.5hr)

Candid Learning

An extensive library of nonprofit resources materials, including:

• Live and on-demand trainings on a range of nonprofit capacity building topics
• Audiobook, e-book, and article library with thousands of resources on key nonprofit concepts and topics
• Online librarian consultations for real-time, personalized assistance from in-house experts on philanthropy, nonprofit management, and fundraising

HOW TO ACCESS: Candid Learning can be accessed anytime, anywhere! Access Candid Learning here.

This summer, we’re excited to re-introduce you to Candid—a powerful resource designed to help nonprofits strengthen their capacity and expand access to funding opportunities. In the coming months, our newsletters will guide you through Candid Learning, highlighting practical tools, trainings, and resources you can start using right away to build skills and confidence.

This is just the beginning: in the fall, we’ll take a deeper dive into Candid Search through an in-person workshop, followed by regular coffee hours at the Cooper House where you can receive hands-on support as you search for new funding opportunities.