Nonprofits eager to break into the grant writing arena can send participants to attend a series of three workshops, hosted by the Grant Resource Center at Northern Essex Community College.

The center and its workshops are supported in part by funding from The United Way of Massachusetts Bay & Merrimack Valley and Associated Grant Makers, and in collaboration with Jericho Road Lawrence.

The workshop series will be held at Northern Essex Community College’s Riverwalk campus at 360 Merrimack Street, Building 9, Entry K in Lawrence over the months of March and April.

The first class, “Introduction to Grants Research”, will be held on Wednesday, March 27 from 2 to 4 p.m. This workshop introduces participants to the world of philanthropy. It will cover grants research and how to approach foundations. In addition, participants will learn how to tell an organization’s story for best effect. There will be discussion of several databases that are critical to finding the right grant maker for an organization.

The second class, “Introduction to Grant Writing for Beginners”, will be held Wednesday, April 10, from 2 to 4 p.m. Participants will learn how to create a winning grant proposal. Different types of grant proposals will be examined including the typical components of a proposal and the steps in the process.

The third and final class, “Introduction to Grant Writing II for Beginners”, will be offered Wednesday, April 24, from 2 to 4 p.m. This is for individuals who have completed the second workshop or those who already have some experience in grant writing, but would like to take it to the next level. During this two-hour workshop individuals will learn how to plan a grant for maximum funding success; the secret language used by successful grant writers; how to think like a reviewer; simple ways to package a grant for maximum effect; grant writing do’s and don’ts based upon well written sample grants. The workshop will provide time for interaction with concrete examples and lively discussion.

Seats in these courses fill up quickly so those interested are encouraged to register early. The cost for each workshop is $30.

NECC’s Grant Resource Center offers free access to The Foundation Directory Online for Professionals at the library in the Dimitry Building, 45 Franklin Street, Lawrence.

For additional information, contact Dawna Perez at dperez@necc.mass.edu or call (978) 738-7605.