Grants Management 101

Grants Management 101 (GM101) is an interactive, five-month virtual learning course designed to take deep dives into the fundamentals of grants management, the philanthropic sector, and equitable, effective grantmaking practices.

The program features five modules, each with a session and cohort convening facilitated by a diverse faculty of PEAK staff and six dedicated advisors who are senior-level professionals in the field. The in-depth presentations, interactive 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.  

Through GM101, a new generation of grants management professionals will become better equipped, connected, and inspired to operationalize equity-centered, values-driven grantmaking practices in the philanthropic sector.   

Participants will develop the following skills upon completing the course:

• Deepened knowledge and understanding of philanthropy, their role as grants management professionals, and the context and resources needed to succeed
• Expanded connections to new and seasoned grantmaking professionals and the PEAK community
• Increased leadership capacity and drive to become change agents in philanthropy

Cohorts

CLASS OF 2023 
CLASS OF 2022 
CLASS OF 2021 

Curriculum

Orientation
Thursday, May 23, 2:00–3:15 p.m. ET
Prepare for the GM101 learning series, meet your fellow participants, get an overview of the Principles for Peak Grantmaking and learn what to expect over the five-month program.

Module One: Introduction to the Philanthropic Sector and Grants Management
Thursday, June 20, 2:00–4:30 p.m. ET: Session and cohort convening
Learn some 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 and large group discussions.

Optional Coffee Hour Chat: Legal Parameters of the Sector
Thursday, June 27 at 2:00–3:00 p.m. ET
Chat with a seasoned professional about anything relating to the legal parameters of the sector from lobbying to the impact of the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling in this unstructured learning opportunity.

Module Two: The Grantmaking Lifecycle
Thursday, July 11, 2:00–4:00 p.m. ET: Session 

Thursday, July 18, 2:00–3:00 p.m. ET: Cohort convening
Through small and large group discussions, learn about the grantmaking lifecycle from the application process to reporting, best practices in reducing bias, and how to embed the Drive Equity Principle at each stage.  

Optional Coffee Hour Chat: Career Paths in the Sector
August 1, 2:00–3:00 p.m. ET
Chat with a seasoned professional about anything relating to career paths in philanthropy, gathering advice and resources in this unstructured learning opportunity.

Module Three: Grants Management Role and Function
Thursday, August 15, 2:00–4:15 p.m. ET: Session and cohort convening
Using the Narrow the Power Gap Principle, learn about the role and function grants management plays with funding institutions and the competencies needed for success as grants professionals through presentations and small and large group discussions.

Optional Coffee Hour Chat: Managing Up in Philanthropy
Thursday, August 29, 2:00–3:00 p.m. ET
Chat with a seasoned professional about anything related to managing up and general career advice in this unstructured learning opportunity.

Module Four: Vetting and Assessing Nonprofit Organizations
Thursday, September 12 2:00–4:00 p.m. ET: Session  

Thursday, September 26, 2:00–3:00 p.m. ET: Cohort convening
Get a primer on how to more equitably assess and support a nonprofit and implement the Steward Responsively Principle through presentations and small and large group discussions.

Module Five: Career Trajectories and Goals
Thursday, October 10, 2:00–4:00 p.m. ET: Session and cohort convening
Through presentations and small and large group discussions, explore opportunities for professional growth, learn about various career trajectories, and get tangible support for planning your own career. This session will focus on why it is so important for grantmakers to develop the skills to put the Learn, Share, Evolve Principle into action.

Optional Coffee Hour Chat: Reflecting on GM101
Thursday, October 24, 2:00–3:00 p.m. ET
Join a focus group discussion to share learnings and thoughts on the GM101 experience.

Expectations of Participants 

• Have full support from your organization and manager to attend the orientation, each of the five virtual sessions (11.5 hours total), and two separate cohort convenings (2 hours total) held from May through October 2024. Because the discussions build on one another, it is critical for participants to be present for the entirety of each session in order to fully benefit from GM101. 
• Attend up to four of the optional, one-hour Coffee Hour Chat meetings, which will feature seasoned professionals in the field discussing specific topics in greater depth, answering questions from participants, and sharing career advice and resources. 

• Prepare adequately for each session and cohort convening by engaging with the prework readings and materials and by noting your thoughts and questions. On average, the assignments should take no more than 90 minutes to complete and will serve as a basis for all discussions. 
• Fully engage in the sessions and cohort convenings, and be ready to ask questions, share experiences, and be respectful of others. PEAK aims to create a brave learning environment where participants can fully show up and engage without judgment from others. 
• Complete evaluations for each session and the overall program to reflect on and assess your learnings, provide feedback, and support PEAK staff in improving the program’s effectiveness and impact. 

Registration 

• Organization Members: $450 
• Consultant Members: $450 
• Individual Members: $600 
• Nonmembers: $800

Registration for Grants Management 101 is now closed.

Supporting GM101 

We appreciate the investment of our members and partners in our collective efforts to learn, share, and evolve as a community and a sector – and to create change agents for equitable grantmaking practices. If you’d like to consider supporting Grants Management 101 through sponsorship, we have opportunities available. Please contact info@peakgrantmaking.org for more information.

PEAK Staff Support 

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