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Grants Management 101

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Grants Management 101 (GM101) is one of PEAK Grantmaking’s signature programs, offered virtually and in a self-paced format. The GM101 learning experience is designed to take deep dives into the fundamentals of grants management, the philanthropic sector, and equitable, effective grantmaking practices.

Through GM101, a new generation of grants professionals will become better equipped, connected, and inspired to operationalize equity-centered, values-driven grantmaking practices in the philanthropic sector. GM101 is an ideal onboarding program for grants professionals, serving in a variety of roles at funding institutions and philanthropic service organizations, who are looking to sharpen their knowledge and skills in implementing more principled grantmaking. Through the GM101 virtual or self-paced learning series, seasoned sector leaders will guide participants in exploring legal considerations within philanthropy and essential grant professional roles and competencies. Participants will also gain insights into assessing a nonprofit’s financial health and learn how to integrate equity into every stage of the grantmaking process. Throughout each of the learning experiences, participants will have opportunities for professional growth and skill mapping.

Participants will develop the following competencies upon completing GM101:

  • Deepened knowledge and understanding of philanthropy and their role as grants professionals
  • Increased awareness of the skills and competencies for building a career in the sector
  • Access to resources to apply the Principles for Peak Grantmaking and become a change agent for equitable practices in philanthropy
  • Expanded connections with new and seasoned grantmaking professionals in the PEAK community

Cohorts

CLASS OF 2025 
CLASS OF 2024 
CLASS OF 2023 
CLASS OF 2022 
CLASS OF 2021 

GM101 Program Features

Program

Instructional hours

Estimated time for Prework and Case Study exercises

Optional Coffee Hours and Networking Opportunities

GM101 Virtual Learning Series

14 hours of live presentations

5 hours of readings, case study exercises, and recorded content

3 coffee hours and time in each module for making new connections

GM101 Self-Paced Learning Series

5 hours of recorded content

7 hours of reading, journaling, quizzes, and case study exercises

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Click the links below to learn more about each GM101 learning experience and register for the program that’s right for you.
La Keisha smiles in her headshot in front of green foliage.

GM101 was the right opportunity for me to learn more about how the work of grants management professionals can positively impact the grantee experience. I have been able to build professional relationships with colleagues all over the country and gain more clarity about my own career goals.

La Keisha Leek, Grants Management Associate
MacArthur Foundation

We learned to get out of our comfort zones to discuss how we can make a difference by speaking up where we might see inequities in our grantmaking policies and practices.

Roshani Desai, Grants Management Coordinator
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Jennelyn Tumalad is standing in front of a yellow background, wearing a yellow and white patterned blouse.

Through GM101, it’s been such a treat learning such foundational things about working in a foundation. Here’s to being a lifelong learner and always staying curious and critical.

Jennelyn Tumalad, Program Associate
Center for Cultural Innovation

I had high expectations going into GM101, and the experience has took me to the next level. I now have a shared language and a practiced ability to discuss our work. The course also sparked new curiosities and illuminated new topics for me to dig deeper into independently.

Halle Leganza, Grants Management Associate
Vivo Foundation
Alexandria smiles in her headshot.

GM101 was more than an introduction to the grantmaking space—it was an induction to my tribe! As an emerging professional, it was not only instrumental in supporting my onboarding and growth, but a cherished opportunity to develop some esprit de corps with folks from other foundations in similar roles.

Alexandria Featherston-Gomez, Grants Associate
Kenneth Rainin Foundation
Monica Thorns photo

GM101 gave me practical tools I could immediately use, including the Grants Management Professional Competency Model, and resources and exercises that provided thought-provoking opportunities to practice and engage with my peers.

Monica Thorns, Grants Manager
The Christopher Family Foundation
Elizabeth Allaby is smiling in front of trees, and her brown hair is covering her shoulders.

In my new role as grant coordinator, I was able to hit the ground running with the knowledge and confidence I gained from this virtual course!

Elizabeth Allaby, Grants Coordinator
Maine Community Foundation
Adriana has dark brown hair and is smiling. She is wearing a navy blue blazer

As a GM101 cohort advisor, I not only had the opportunity to facilitate group learning around timely topics such as equitable grantmaking and trust-based philanthropy,
I also had the chance to advance my own journey by learning from experiences shared by my cohort members.

Adriana Jiménez, Director of Grants Management
Resources Legacy Fund

GM101 Self-Paced Learning Series

This self-paced, virtual learning series provides a comprehensive overview of philanthropy, grants management, and equitable values-driven grantmaking practices. This option is ideal for onboarding new grants professionals with the five sessions available through an online platform that will feature presentations, resources, case studies, and reflection exercises that can be completed at your own pace. The series will require the following estimated time commitment and provides three-month access to the following resources:

  • Five hours of recorded presentations and guided case study exercises
  • Seven hours of pre-work, journaling and case study exercises, quizzes, and surveying and feedback gathering
Curriculum

Session 1: Introduction to the Philanthropic Sector and the Grants Profession
Learn sector basics about nonprofits and funders in the social impact world, the legal landscape in which they operate, and take a deep dive into the Tie Practices to Values Principle through presentations and small group discussion.

Session 2: Embedding Equity throughout the Grantmaking Lifecycle
Through presentations, a hands-on case study exercise, and small group discussion, learn about the grantmaking lifecycle from the application process to reporting and how to apply the Narrow the Power Gap Principle at each stage.

Session 3: Next Level Data and Knowledge Management
Applying the Drive Equity Principle, understand data literacy, visualization, and knowledge management practices through in-depth presentations and small group discussions led by PEAK staff and volunteers.

Session 4: Vetting and Assessing Nonprofit Organizations
Get a primer on how to more equitably assess and support a nonprofit and implement the Steward Responsively Principle through presentations, small group discussion, and a case study exercise.

Session 5: Grants Professional Competencies and Skill Mapping
Through presentations and reflection exercises, explore opportunities for professional growth and learn about grants professional competencies. This session will focus on why it is so important for grants professionals to develop the skills to put the Learn, Share, Evolve Principle into action.

REGISTER
Cost per Person

Organization Members: $350
Consultant Members: $350
Individual Members: $650
Nonmembers: $650

Please note registrants will have three months of access to the self-paced course. 

GM101 Virtual Learning Series

The GM101 Virtual Learning Series is an interactive online learning series that features five modules facilitated by a diverse faculty of PEAK staff and dedicated advisors who are senior-level professionals in the field. The in-depth presentations, facilitated discussions, coffee hours, and case study exercises provide participants opportunities to further connect with peers and leaders in the field, explore content more deeply, receive coaching, and work towards career growth goals.

Curriculum

Module One: Introduction to Philanthropy

Module Two: Embedding Equity throughout the Grant Lifecycle

Module Three: Next Level Data and Knowledge Management

Module Four: Vetting and Assessing Nonprofit Organizations

Module Five: Grants Professional Competencies and Skill Mapping

Stay tuned for more details on the 2026 GM101 Virtual Learning Series to be held August 6–September 24 with registration to open in June.

PEAK Staff Support

For any GM101-related questions, contact PEAK’s Senior Knowledge and Learning Manager, Vanessa Elkan at vanessa@peakgrantmaking.org.

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