Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Grant Writing (Online)

AA 6210-B70

Course: AA 6210-B70
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: TA
CRN: 30013

Course Description

Students will become familiar with the process of grant research, writing, and compliance. Students will have the opportunity to apply theory into practice as they identify real-world organizations in need of funding, locate potential funding sources (including government, corporate, and foundation grants), write grant proposals, and submit those proposals to the funding organization.

Required Texts

  • 1. Storytelling for Grantseekers: A Guide to Creative Nonprofit Fundraising (2nd Edition) by Cheryl A. Clarke (Jossey-Bass, 2009).

Learning Outcomes

AA6210 has 4 Learning Outcomes that build upon the Learning Outcomes of the Arts Administration Program, the Department of Theatre, Dance, and Arts Administration, and the College of Performing & Visual Arts, as well as the Mission and Vision of Southern Utah University. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have gained the ability to:

  1. Perform all aspects of grant writing, from research through compliance;
  2. Communicate and advocate effectively for nonprofit organizations;
  3. Articulate the different types of granting organizations, including those at individual, local, state, and federal levels;
  4. Apply scholarly theory directly into professional practice.

Course Requirements

Each module in this course will normally consist of two types of assessments weekly: 
(1) a discussion on the assigned Readings and (2) written assignments(s) as related to the Grant Proposal Project and/or the Experiential Learning Projects.
*Students can use the same 501(c)(3) organization for the Grant Proposal Project and the Experiential Learning Projects if they so desire, as long as there is no overlap. More information can be found in the assignment sheets for each assignment.

Course Assessment Table
Course Assessments | Course Outcomes
Contribution | 1, 2, 3
Grant Proposal Project | 1, 2, 3, 4
Experiential Learning Projects | 2, 4Grade | Range
A | 100 % to 94.0%
A- | < 93.0 % to 90.0%
B+ | < 89.0 % to 87.0%
B | < 86.0 % to 84.0%
B- | < 83.0 % to 80.0%
C+ | < 79.0 % to 77.0%
C | < 76.0 % to 74.0%
F | < 73.0 % to 0.0%

Course Outline

Weekly Schedule
Class is conducted weekly in Canvas discussion forums focused on assigned Readings. These are available to view at any time, but do not post in the discussion forum until the first day of the corresponding week (which usually falls on a Monday, unless otherwise noted). Doing so will result in a loss of points. All discussions will close at 11:59 pm on the fourth day of the week (usually the Thursday, unless otherwise noted). Students should use the 'break' Fridays through Sundays to do any written assignments (due Sundays at 11:59 pm), and to do the readings for the coming week. Please be aware that all times listed in this course are Mountain Standard.

Course Grading
Grading for this course is broken down into three areas: Readings, a Grant Proposal Project, and two Experiential Learning Projects.
  1. Readings (25%): Each week, students will complete assigned readings and participate in a related discussion forum. In those forums, students will choose one prompt from the instructor to create their initial post (1 point), then respond to at least two classmates' posts (1 point each). Contributions should promote Critical Thinking, or the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment. Meaningful participation is essential: Students should engage deeply, advance discussions, and share relevant experiences, while focusing on original insights (rather than simply reiterating course material or agreeing/disagreeing with others) and aiming for organic, collaborative, and insightful discussions that explore diverse perspectives and encourage new ideas.
  2. Grant Proposal Project (25%): Students will choose a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization* for which to write one full grant proposal. Drafts of individual parts of the proposal will be due throughout the of the semester as they relate to current class discussion. The grant proposal for this "Focus Organization" will include an Executive Summary, Organization Information, the Statement of Need, the Project Description, the Budget, and a Conclusion.
  3. Experiential Learning Projects (50%): Students will apply grant writing theory directly into practice through work on two Experiential Learning Projects (worth 25% of the final grade each). These projects, done for nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations*, could include (but are not limited to): writing a grant proposal, researching funding opportunities, creating a grant writing strategic plan, etc. The projects are chosen by the student and approved by the instructor. Upon completion, (1) a deliverable and (2) a narrative of the process is submitted to the instructor.
Each module in this course will normally consist of two types of assessments weekly: (1) a discussion on the assigned Readings and (2) written assignments(s) as related to the Grant Proposal Project and/or the Experiential Learning Projects.
*Students can use the same 501(c)(3) organization for the Grant Proposal Project and the Experiential Learning Projects if they so desire, as long as there is no overlap. More information can be found in the assignment sheets for each assignment.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late Work
All assignments and readings are expected to be completed by the due date/time listed on Canvas (again, please note that all times are Mountain Standard). Students earn credit by completing the assignments in the same time frame given every other student in the class.
  • Discussions: Since they are based on conversing with your fellow students, all graded class discussions close immediately after the due date/time listed, with no late posts accepted.
  • Assignments: For written assignments turned in to the instructor, ten percent (10%) will be deducted for each 24-hour period past the deadline. This means that no assignment will be eligible for points if it is more than ten (10) days beyond the due date.
In the event of circumstances preventing a student from completing a discussion or assignment on time, the student should let the instructor know and request a deadline extension. Such extensions are up to the discretion of the instructor.
Instructor Feedback
Keeping a 9-5, M-F schedule, the instructor commits to grading and giving feedback on assignments within five business days of the due date, and responding to emails within two business days.
General Q&A
There is an open, ungraded discussion forum students can utilize to ask general questions related to the course. Students can navigate to that forum via the home page, or can follow this direct link: General Q&A Discussion Forum. Please note: These questions are visible to everyone, so if a question deals with grades or other personal matters, please email the instructor directly. Question about the Arts Administration Program in general can be asked in the Arts Administration Student Hub. If you do not have access to the Hub yet, please contact your Advisor.

Attendance Policy

As this course is an asynchronous online course, there are no specific meeting dates, times, or locations, and no traditional attendance policy. Students are simply expected to come to Canvas each week prepared and to actively contribute, getting grades for such. Beyond those points, participation in this class adds value to the entire group. Active and regular contribution furthers learning and enhances the experience of all within the course.

Classroom Climate

Students are expected to model good Expedition Behavior (as defined by the National Outdoor Leadership School) in all course activities in any class in the Arts Administration Program. Expedition Behavior "encompasses actions that serve the health and function of a group or community when working together toward common goals." Principles of Expedition Behavior include:
  • Mission: Serve the mission (Course Description) and goals (Course Outcomes) of the group.
  • Concern: Be as concerned for others as you are for yourself.
  • Dignity & Respect: Treat everyone as you would be treated.
  • Support: Support leadership and growth in everyone.
  • Kindness: Be kind and open-hearted.
  • Organization: Do your share and stay organized.
  • Help: Help others but don’t routinely do their work.
  • Integrity: Model integrity by being honest and accountable.
  • Concise: Say yes and deliver, or say no clearly if you cannot or will not do something.
  • Constructive Resolution: Resolve conflict in a productive manner.

This class is intended to test higher-level cognitive abilities. You are expected to be active in your learning and think, question, problem-solve, and debate information presented in class. The instructor will do their best to create an environment in which expressions of uncertainty, conjecture, and alternative or competing views can be freely shared. The same is expected of students. Remember, there is a big difference between debating and attacking. The latter will not be tolerated and the instructor reserves the right to excuse from discussions any student who compromises this preferred class climate. As we navigate unscripted challenges, please be flexible and extend grace and kindness to the instructor, to classmates, and to yourself. We are in this together and we are all doing our best.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.