Grant Writing Training

We develop training for organisations including not-for-profits, philanthropic organisations, government agencies, and councils at all levels of government.

Learn from Australia’s grant writing expert
Natalie Bramble, author 'Win The Grant'

Whether you’re looking to upskill current grant or tender recipients, future grant rounds or tender commissioning approaches, your staff or your community, we can support your training requirements. Our training delivers lasting impact. It’s also practical, fun and engaging

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Time and Resource Savings:

Free up teams from time-consuming grant writing support

Community groups often face challenges and seek support and advice. While many organisations such as local councils can offer support, they generally don’t provide professional advice. Training is seen as a key solution to address some common challenges organisations face applying for grants, as well as challenges that funders have assessing and awarding grants.

For those applying for grants the investment in training your staff and the long-term learning they implement in current and future applications is immeasurable.

Funders and those who invest in building capacity for their community or members also value the role of upskilling volunteers and staff. Supporting groups in this way that enables them to get valuable programs funded can create significant positive impact. This is why grants and tenders are intrinsically linked in community needs analysis, royal commission reports and strategic plans. If we want the community to deliver impact, we need to give them the information and tools to support delivery of services, infrastructure, programs and resources.

One SROI study found for every $1 that’s invested it returns $6 in social impact.

‘The quality of grant applications we’ve received has already improved as a result of your grant workshops’. Eloise Brady, Grants Officer Georges River Council.

Relevant and Relatable Trainers

Practical insights and a comprehensive system for grant and tender applications, from project design to contract management.

We’ve developed a comprehensive system that supports grant and tender applicants every step of the way, from project/solution design to contract management and acquittal. We’ve heard from a lot of people that other grant writing training is generic, not practical enough and the trainers don’t give away too much because they’re there to sell their services, rather than offer real genuine insights attendees understand and can implement straight away.

“I’ve been to every grant writing workshop there is and this one runs rings around them”

Sarah, Bowen QLD

While less experienced trainers might offer lower initial costs, the long-term benefits and improved outcomes from an experienced professional are typically a superior investment. We also understand the drive to buy local, however it may not always deliver the best outcome.

A recent grant and tender training program resulted in:

100% said they would recommend this training to others
100% Net Promoter Score
100% said the training met their expectations
93% are motivated to apply for tenders, and 100% to apply for grants
86.7% rated the tools they received as highly valuable (rated 9 and 10 out of 10)

“The course was fantastic – the trainers were amazing and not only knew their stuff but have a great system which they provide for practical use in the real world…….not just lectures. You come out of the course with a system and tools to use in the real world. I have been writing small grants previously but didn’t have a system to use and hadn’t really covered certain areas – now I do and I am way more confident to write larger grants and tenders ! “ Professional Grant Writer

Every Workshop is Customised

Content is modified to meet specific needs and learning outcomes, often using real, open, or upcoming grant programs as examples.

While we do talk about The Grant Writing System and The Tender Writing System and the tools that support people implementing these, our approach is customised to your needs and learning outcomes. We will modify content to use real examples, particularly if there are grants or tenders that are open or about to open and we have the documents as an example to walk people through. The extra benefit is that we’ve found a large number of attendees then go on to write an application and win!

We don’t roll out off the shelf training programs, we make sure they’re customised to what the client needs. But more importantly, when we get in the room, it’s about finding out what people in the room need, so everyone leaves with actionable takeaways they can apply immediately.

I’ve heard great feedback this morning about the training last night, and that the trainer was just excellent.

Kristy Marks, BHP

Practical Outcomes

Focuses on applying learned skills to actual grant programs.

The approach is customised to your needs and as much as possible, so we use a grant program that’s either open right now, or about to open as an example to walk people through. This could be your grant program, or another one that suits most of the attendees. The extra benefit is that we’ve found a large number of attendees then go on to write an application and have secured funding.

“The hundreds of tips and tools Natalie has provided in her sessions have assisted me to win over $5.3 million of funding over the last five years for local community groups.” – Nicholas Pyers

Thank you for your training. After attending your City of Sydney grant application workshop at the beginning of the year, we applied for and received City of Sydney Festivals and Events Sponsorship for 3 years! Your excellent workshop helped us immensely, so thank you once again. Dianna Robinson, Australian South Sea Islanders (Port Jackson) Limited

Culturally safe, accessible and inclusive

Serving diverse communities across Australia, we empower organisations with clear, accessible information and project development expertise to secure vital grant funding.

We have experience working with a wide range of diverse communities and organisations across Australia. Our experience includes projects in culturally rich council areas like Melbourne, Sydney, and the Gold Coast. We also engage with specific communities of interest.

For example, we undertook a six-month project with the Maori and Tongan communities in Sydney, focusing on project development and securing grant funding.

Examples of diverse organisations we’ve supported include, but not limited to:

Sudanese communities,
Traditional owner groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups in the islands and remote communities.
Ethnic Community Council of Queensland
Arabic Association
Hunter Community Language Schools.

We deliver information that is clear and easy to understand.

Limited Budgets

Cost effective solutions, including online sessions and trainers in different locations, and explores ways to minimise client costs.

We prioritise working with clients to minimise travel expenses. This might involve reaching out to other clients in the area to explore cost-sharing opportunities. For confirmed bookings, such as a trip to Western Australia, we actively seek out additional clients to further reduce travel costs, acknowledging that travel is an unavoidable but necessary expense. Our goal is always to find ways to make it less costly for our clients. An example of this is the community road trip we planned to minimise costs for a recent grant funder. We also have trainers in different locations and can discuss those options. For those with budget constraints or remote locations, online sessions offer a cost-effective solution.

Options for evenings, weekends, or modular learning to fit busy lifestyles.

Options for evenings, weekends, or modular learning without extra charges, catering to working professionals and retired volunteers.

Given the difficulty for individuals to take time off work, we suggest councils and organisations consider offering a grant writing workshop with a dual-session approach. This caters to both working professionals (from businesses and not-for-profit organisations) and retired volunteers. And, unlike others, we don’t charge any extra for training outside the usual 9am – 5pm or for weekend training sessions.

Beyond the Workshop: Ongoing Help and Resources

Participants receive practical resources, online materials, and a comprehensive online course to support submissions and reinforce learning.

We consistently find that participants frequently express a desire for additional resources or clearer explanations of specific terms. For example, a participant might want a deeper understanding of a particular concept, or a term used during the session might be unfamiliar. We’re always happy to share relevant resources when available. We’re committed to your success even after the workshop is over.

To support their grant and tender submissions, participants receive practical, usable resources, supplemented by online materials and a comprehensive online course. This online component is crucial for refreshing their knowledge and combating the natural forgetting curve that often follows training. By providing opportunities to revisit the training material, we help ensure participants retain and apply what they’ve learned. In addition, they also receive free access to our regular online Q&A sessions, where they can get ongoing development support. We always send follow-up emails that include these valuable resources.

Workshop Topics and Learning Outcomes

We offer a variety of workshops covering all aspects of the grant process. Regardless of the workshop length, you’ll gain valuable insights and practical skills to improve your success rate.

Our workshops cover:

Grant Readiness: Use The Grant Ready ChecklistTM and The Grant Ready KitTM to prepare for opportunities and reduce stress.
Project Planning & Budgeting: Learn to develop project plans that demonstrate need, demand and outcomes and best-practice project planning including risks and budgets.
Finding the Right Grants: Learn where to search for funding opportunities and how to match your project to the right funding opportunity using The Grant Go/No Go Decision ChecklistTM.
Community Engagement: Learn how to effectively engage your community and incorporate their voices into your grant applications.
Demonstrating Need: Master the art of articulating and evidencing the need for your project.
Developing Outcome Statements: Deep dive into your project, its stakeholders and activity to design outcomes and impacts. Create compelling outcome statements that link directly to your project’s goals and funder priorities.
AI Tools for Grant Writing: Leverage AI tools to streamline your research and writing.
Understanding Funders: Learn how to analyse the grant guidelines – or as I call them ‘rules’, and find those hidden gems that strengthen your application.
Strategic Grant Alignment: Master the art of aligning your project outcomes with funding priorities.
Strategic Grant Responses: Use The Grant Answer MapTM to understand how to strategically address the questions and work within the word and character counts.
Budget Justification: Understand how to justify your project’s expenses clearly and strategically.
Risk Considerations: Identify and address potential risks to strengthen your application.
Review & Edit: Apply best practices and AI tools to refine your draft and strengthen your final submission.
Grant Evaluation Process: Understand the assessment process from a grant program manager and assessor’s perspective.
Governance and Accountability: Understand and implement effective governance structures for community-led projects

Example Workshops

Grant Writing 101: Getting started with Grant Writing
Overview: This introductory workshop provides a foundational understanding of grant writing using the 7-Stage Grant Writing System as a framework. Participants will learn the overall process and gain familiarity with two key tools, such as The Grant Ready Checklist™ or some of the elements in The Grant Go/No-Go Decision Checklist™ , to assess grant suitability and project readiness. This workshop is ideal for those new to grant writing.
Grant Readiness: Preparing Your Project for Funding Success
Overview: This workshop uses The Grant Ready Checklist™ and The Grant Ready Kit™ to assess an organisation’s and project’s readiness for grant applications. Participants will identify strengths and weaknesses, learn to develop a strong project plan, and understand the importance of aligning project needs and outcomes with funder objectives. The workshop will cover the “Plan” stage of The 7-Stage Grant Writing Cycle , emphasising the importance of proactive planning and preparation to increase the chances of winning grants. The level of planning needed will be discussed, considering project complexity and funding amount.
Project Planning for Grant Success: From Idea to Implementation
Overview: This workshop focuses on developing comprehensive project plans using The Grant Project Plan™. Participants will learn to create compelling need statements, define project activities and timelines, develop budgets, and incorporate logic models to demonstrate project impact. The workshop will also cover stakeholder analysis, risk management, and the creation of a one-page project summary or a more detailed plan, such as a Business Case, depending on project complexity and funding amount. Participants will learn how to use the project plan to answer common grant application questions and align their project with funder priorities.
Finding the Right Grant: Strategies for Successful Grant Searching
Overview: This workshop focuses on Stage 2 (“Find”) of the Grant Writing System . Participants will learn effective strategies for identifying and selecting appropriate grant opportunities, using tools like the Grant Calendar™ to track deadlines and opportunities. The workshop will also cover how to assess grant suitability and align projects with funder priorities.
Aligning Your Project for Success: Strengthen your Application
Overview: This workshop delves into Stage 3 (“Align”) of the Grant Writing System , emphasising the importance of aligning projects with funder goals. Participants will learn how to understand funders’ priorities, think like an assessor, and analyse application documents using the Grant Application Tool™ . This workshop is suitable for those with some grant writing experience.
Crafting Compelling Grant Applications: Writing to Win Overview: This workshop focuses on Stage 4 (“Write”) of the Grant Writing System , emphasising the strategic communication of project needs and impact. Participants will learn how to use the Grant Answer Map™ to structure answers, incorporate data and storytelling effectively, and refine their responses to meet funder expectations . The workshop will include practical exercises in crafting persuasive, strategic responses.

Example Workshop Length and Inclusion

We offer workshops in a variety of lengths to accommodate different schedules and learning styles. We can deliver these online using your tools or ours, or face-to-face.

Workshop Duration	Hands-on Activities and Tools	Focus	Ideal Attendees
1-hour workshop	Limited activity. Overview of 2 tools	Introduction to key concepts and strategies. An overview of the grant writing system and practical strategies to strengthen grant applications.	Any number, including conferences or online sessions
1.5 hours	Limited activity. Overview of 2 tools, with a deeper dive on one.	Deeper dive into a practical tool or a specific aspect of grant writing. Focus is either on project planning; aligning the project to the funder; or writing the application.	Any number, including conferences or online sessions
2-hour workshop	1-2 activities. Overview of 3 tools, with a deeper dive on one.	More in-depth coverage of key topics, with some practical application.	Any number, including conferences or online sessions
2.5-hour workshop	1-2 activities. Overview of 3 tools, with a deeper dive on one or two.	Comprehensive overview of the grant writing process, with hands-on practice.	Any number, including conferences or online sessions
3-hour workshop	2 activities. Overview of 4 tools, with a deeper dive on two.	In-depth exploration of key topics, with time for practical exercises and group / individual work.	30 is ideal. It can be more but the more people the less direct engagement
½ day workshop (3.5 hrs)	2-3 activities. Overview of how to use 5 tools, with a deeper dive on two or three.	Comprehensive coverage of the grant writing process, with hands-on practice and individual attention (depending on numbers).	30 is ideal. It can be more but the more people the less direct engagement
1-day workshop (6 hrs)	4 activities, with a longer writing and assessing activity. Deeper dive into the 5 key tools.	In-depth, immersive experience focusing on strategic approaches, real life examples, examples from attendees and applying 5 key tools used in the grant writing system.	30 is ideal. It can be more but the more people the less direct engagement

Meet Natalie Bramble | Director and Principal Consultant MBA, FICDA, MAITD, TAE

Hi, I’m Natalie Bramble, and I’ve been immersed in the world of grants for over 20 years, or longer if you count my early volunteer work! My grant writing journey started with a crushing disappointment: losing my first grant application. That setback ignited a fire in me, a deep curiosity to understand why some grants succeed and others don’t. This led me down a path of relentless research, countless conversations with funders, and a whole lot of trial and error (before the internet made things so much easier!).

What I discovered wasn’t just about writing compelling applications; it was about strategy. Grants are 80% planning and 20% writing. I learned to think strategically, putting myself in the shoes of the funder and the assessor. This approach has led to an incredible success rate – over 80%, some years even hitting 100%. I’ve directly raised millions of dollars for clients, and even more through my work they’ve re-used in other applications.

When you’re thinking about a grant writing trainer, it’s important to know why they’re doing it. Many grant writers mainly want to become more well-known so they can get more grant writing jobs. Our goal, though, is to give people within groups the power to write their own grants, because we strongly believe they are the best fit for this job. We give them the necessary tools and knowledge to succeed. While some trainers give general information, our approach is practical, making sure people understand how to use what they learn in real-life situations.

A strong grant application needs three main things: your project, following the rules, and a clever application. Our training makes sure people are skilled and ready to handle all these areas. We constantly stress that a group’s own people are best at writing the grants.

My experience as a leading expert, having written a book, created the “Seven Steps to Grant Writing,” and developed a full Grant Writing System with tools and templates, gives unique insights. I’ve trained professional grant writers and council staff for many years, being one of the first trainers in Australia to teach about grant writing and community service development nationally.

Our knowledge goes beyond just writing grants; we understand the whole grant-making system. We’ve worked with funders to create grant programs, design application forms, and judge applications, even managing teams of judges. All this detailed knowledge is shared with those who attend, giving them a deep understanding of why using smart strategies and thinking from the perspective of a judge and program manager (instead of just an applicant) is so important.

While we can’t promise you’ll get new grant applications, our training greatly increases your chances of getting a better return on your money compared to hiring someone local with little grant writing experience. Our wide experience with many different projects and groups means we can give relevant examples to anyone in the room, helping them understand and use the information better. In the end, the quality of our training is a big investment in your group’s success in getting grants.

My journey hasn’t just been about winning grants; it’s about empowering others to do the same. I’ve trained over 20,000 people across Australia and the Pacific Islands. I’ve seen firsthand how my training transforms individuals and organisations, leading to millions of dollars secured for their communities and projects. Many have even launched their own successful grant writing businesses.

Proven Track Record:

But what sets me apart? It’s not just my impressive track record, which includes securing over $91.5 million for clients ($16.5 million just in the last 14 months alone!).

I’ve developed The Grant Writing System based on my unique approach. It’s a 7-stage cycle with 12 practical tools that provide structure and direction, regardless of the grant. This system isn’t just theory; it’s what I use myself, and it’s what I teach. After attending one workshop, never having written a grant before, one person won eight out of the ten grants she’d applied for!

My experience extends beyond writing grants. I’ve sat on countless grant assessment panels, leading teams of up to 43 assessors. This insider perspective gives me a unique understanding of what funders look for, and I share that knowledge in my training sessions. I’ve also developed training for funders themselves, helping them communicate their priorities effectively to applicants.

I’m not just a trainer; I honestly feel like a partner – I’m that invested! I provide customized training, real-world examples, and ongoing support, including online resources and refresher courses to combat that dreaded “forgetting curve.” We even celebrate wins together because grant writing is hard work, and celebrating successes is crucial.

If you’re ready to elevate your grant writing game, let’s connect. I’m passionate about helping organisations like yours secure the funding they need to make a real difference.

The hundreds of tips and tools Natalie has provided in her grant writing sessions have now been consolidated into this book about The Grant Writing System. These have assisted me to win over $5.3 million of funding over the last five years for local community groups focused on aged care, seniors, veterans, and the vulnerable in our community; as well as local chapters of service clubs and charities, various festivals and events, museums, sporting clubs, showgrounds, community halls, meeting spaces and our local business chamber.’
Nicholas Pyers
Grants Officer, Junee Community Network

‘As a Grant Coordinator working to increase regional investment, I can honestly say this Grant Writing System is a game changer for helping businesses and community groups to succeed. After many years of experience, Natalie has developed a system and used it as a best practice benchmark to upskill grant writers and develop a network of professional grant and tender service providers for our region, so we know it works! This system has even won an innovation award. I love it, and you will too.’

Cindy Baker
Grants Coordinator
GW3, Greater Whitsundays

My first encounter with Natalie was early in my Community Development career back in 2009, where I participated in her Grant Writing skill development workshop. These learning have aided me in not only understanding the principles of grant writing but have proved beneficial in securing grants that range between $5,000 to $500,000.

As my career has developed so has my exposure to opportunities to expand upon my skill set and knowledge, in particular as the Chairperson of the board for a non-government organisation. Within this role it was recognised that in order to ensure a sustainable service board members required a diverse skill set. A reality of this all too often is voluntary board members often have a limited understanding, awareness and application of governance skills. Knowing Natalie has a complete package of training opportunities I reached out to Natalie to develop a range of workshops that were targeted to the needs of the organisation and supported the board members with the knowledge and skill set to enable strong leadership and embrace diversity.

Most recently in my role as a Senior Manager I have yet again called upon Natalie to develop, deliver, and evaluate a package of learning opportunities that enable across section of volunteers with the understanding on how to undertake project planning that supports an annual grant application to closing off the learning circle with how to effective evaluate and acquittal the funds secured. The feedback we have received further iterates the value of knowledge, adaptability and a high quality of learning outcomes that address the diversity of the program I currently manage.

Gail Easton

Program Manager.

‘After being unsuccessful in nine consecutive applications, we had a few mentoring sessions with Natalie, and we secured over $100,000! Thank you, Natalie.’
Val Watson
Home Start National

‘I attended a half-day workshop. Natalie’s presentation was excellent. I am pleased to say that I wrote an application for a small grant and was successful. I am 100% positive that if I had not attended the workshop the result would have been different. I learnt so much and would recommend this system to anyone wanting to gain or improve grant writing skills.’

Trish Evans Training participant

‘I harnessed Natalie’s tips and wrote a proposal for a research grant for an internal funding application at a university. I did it for practice and you might already have guessed the result … YES, we were awarded the grant, and I was offered a post-doctoral position to manage the project. It’s a short-term intensive project, but the School will be using the funds very wisely to secure longer term projects.’

Dr Karyne Ang

Natalie has written the golden formula to accessing capital, grants, and investments for not-for-profits. Natalie’s system ensures you understand your desired outcomes and how these align to the grant’s selection criteria so that you are competitive through the assessment process. A critical tool for not-for-profits to add to their toolkit, especially those wanting to Win The Grant!

Allison Mudford
Former Grant Program Manager

‘After attending a few of Natalie’s grant writing workshops, I received my first grant after many unsuccessful applications. Natalie’s presentations and tools are always clear, coherent, and logical. This system gave me all the information I needed to make a good application.’
Val Clark

Author, writer and festival organiser

‘I was lucky enough to secure a place on the Grant and Tender Writing Business Program. Natalie used The Grant Writing System through- out this program. Having previously submitted grant applications with no particular system, the framework provided is outstanding, providing a very clear path, with a host of tools to help including the Grant Application Tool and Grant Answer Map. Having the tools brings clarity to guidelines and outcomes all in one place and shows areas which are lacking.’

Heather Batrick
Business Solutions

The mentoring and guidance that Natalie has provided around the grant writing process and approach to grant writing has been invaluable. There have been many “light bulb” moments and I’ve seen an increase in successfully winning grants since implementing Natalie’s grant writing concepts and approach.

Jordana Morrison,

Grants Writer

Training new grant and tender writing professionals

Click on the case studies below to view the projects and outcomes

Case Study 1 - The Greater Whitsunday Alliance's Intensive 12-month Training Program

Building Local Capability to Access Millions in Grants: The Greater Whitsunday Alliance’s Grant and Tender Writing Training Program

The Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) recognised a critical gap in the region—businesses and community organizations were missing out on significant opportunities to access over $87 billion in grants and tenders available in Australia. Many local enterprises lacked the skills and resources to successfully navigate the complex grant and tender processes, resulting in lost investment opportunities that could drive regional growth.

CEO of GW3, Kylie Porter, noted, “Having grant and tender professionals will help businesses and community organizations access more than 5,000 grants available in Australia from both government and private sources.”

With support from the Local Buying Foundation, Win the Grant or Tender (formerly iClick2Learn) stepped in to fill this gap by developing and delivering an intensive 12-month training program. The program aimed not only to train local professionals in writing, managing, and acquitting grants and tenders but also to equip them with essential business skills such as financial management, quoting, and marketing. As a result, eight new professional grant and tender writing businesses were established across the Mackay, Isaac, and Whitsunday regions, forming the Grant and Tender Network.

“The local expertise built through this program is a game-changer for our region,” said Cindy Baker, Grant Program Coordinator. “This could not have been possible without. Win the Grant or Tender (formerly iClick2Learn).”

Program Success: The program was designed to ensure long-term sustainability, with a curriculum that blended hands-on training with real-world tools and systems. 100% of participants reported high satisfaction with the course, with many highlighting its practical application and real-world utility.

One participant shared, “The course was fantastic—practical, system-based, and gave me the confidence to write larger grants and tenders.”

Another participant reflected, “The program was a valuable investment of my time and money. It equipped me to start my own business, and the support from experts was invaluable.”

By building local capability, the program has not only empowered individuals but also created a thriving local ecosystem for grant and tender professionals, which will continue to support the region’s growth for years to come.

Learn more about the programs success Grant and Tender Services video

When asked what was the best thing about this course this is what participants had to say:

The process driven approach. The focus on developing a small service based business. The professionalism of the Course Coordinator and all the trainers.
The Grant writing system is great because of the tools provided and the methodology behind it – giving a clear procedure to providing the best service. Also the facilitators were great – Natalie and Cindy were amazing, always providing support and going above and beyond to help.
The training covered how to run a business as well as how to write grant and tender applications.
Practical examples of grant writing and the tools to plan and work through the jobs.
The high quality content.
The knowledge, experience and patience of the facilitators.
Processes and templates
Networking with like minded professionals
The real life experiences that flowed through the learning – the depth of training and easy to follow processes to set up a business – the trainers – supportive and engaging throughout the program.

Program Participant Testimonials:

“I have undertaken many courses of study in my adult life, and it’s always difficult to fit everything in. Everything about this course was designed to enable me to succeed. The content was easy to understand, the facilitators were so professional and knowledgeable, and the additional support provided was invaluable. I cannot recommend Natalie and GW3 highly enough”.

“The Grant and Tender Writing as a Service Course was extremely informative, insightful and engaging! Suitable for beginners and advanced professionals alike, it was targeted and relevant from beginning to end. The Course leaders and mentors were knowledgeable, enthusiastic and exceptionally generous with their time and commitment to all students. I highly recommend this course!”

“Through this program, I refined my skills in the art of effective grant and tender writing. I wholeheartedly recommend the program to any entrepreneur or business owner seeking to establish a service based business. The expertise, support, and insights provided are truly invaluable, and I am grateful to be part of this transformative program”.

“The Greater Whitsunday Alliance Grant and Tender Writing program was a valuable investment of my time and money. It has equipped me to start my own business in the area. Having access to experienced, knowledgeable experts in the field made the experience very beneficial”.

“From an overview of running a business, to the tools and training necessary to approach grant and tender writing, the course provided a solid foundation for professional grant and tender writing”.

Case Study 2 – One Targeted Workshop Resulted in 45 Successful Business Grants

Challenge:
Small businesses often struggle to access professional guidance and resources needed to establish and scale their operations. In the Greater Whitsundays region, it was identified that many small businesses were unaware of the Business Basics grant, a government initiative offering $5,000 to support business improvements in areas such as finance, business planning, and marketing. Previous rounds of the grant showed disappointing participation, with few businesses applying or succeeding.

Solution:
To bridge this gap, Win the Grant or Tender (formerly iClick2Learn) conducted a targeted training session designed to help local small business owners discover available grants and improve their grant writing skills. The session was tailored specifically to the Business Basics grant, providing participants with detailed, step-by-step guidance on how to successfully apply for this funding.

Implementation:
The training session covered:

How to find and identify relevant grants.
A focused, hands-on walkthrough of the Business Basics grant application process.
Best practices for writing compelling grant proposals.
Strategies for using grant funding effectively to boost business growth.

The session also emphasized the broader importance of grants in helping businesses build sustainable processes and systems that would contribute to long-term success.

Results:
The impact of the training was profound:

45 local businesses successfully received the Business Basics grant, a significant achievement that directly contributed to their growth and development.
Many participants reported gaining the confidence to independently seek out and apply for additional grants, both locally and nationally.
The tailored approach to grant writing not only led to a higher success rate for this specific grant but also inspired businesses to take a proactive approach to securing funding, enhancing their future prospects.
80% stated their understanding of how to write a good grant had increased a great deal.
100% stated they had a positive increase in confidence to write a grant.
90% rated the training as extremely beneficial.
Received an NPS rating of 80 compared to the national average of 47.

Conclusion:
This case highlights the effectiveness of targeted grant writing training. By tailoring sessions to specific grants, small businesses not only learn how to write successful proposals but also gain the confidence to apply for a variety of funding opportunities. The Business Basics grant program, when paired with the right support, empowers businesses to improve their operations and scale in a competitive market.

This case serves as a model for how specialised training can lead to stronger outcomes for small businesses, helping them navigate complex funding opportunities and achieve lasting success.

What Participants Had to Say:

Highly recommend this excellent training to maximise opportunities for success.

Natalie was very engaging and generous with both her knowledge and experience.

Thoroughly enjoyed listening to Nat! I found Nat to be really clear and easy to follow throughout the program!

Realistic approach providing actual answers and positive decision processes; presented in a passionate, engaging, enjoyable way; great information and resources provided to take away.

Case Study 3 – Specialised Grant Writing Masterclass for First Nation Peoples

Challenge:

Many First Nations businesses and organisations are thriving with great potential but struggle to grow their ventures due to limited access to grants, tenders, and essential support systems. In Mackay, few knew where to find opportunities or how to navigate the complex processes involved. Additionally, training environments were not always tailored to accommodate the specific learning styles of the participants. There was a need for a structured learning approach that included simple tools, clear systems, and the opportunity to engage with like-minded individuals, but these resources were often hard to find.

Solution:

The Greater Whitsunday Alliance with Win the Grant or Tender (formerly iClick2Learn) to create a specialized masterclass designed specifically for First Nations peoples. This masterclass combined a proven method for grant and tender writing with a learning approach tailored to meet the needs of participants. The training was crafted to help business owners and community leaders grow their ventures, offering both practical tools and support that were directly relevant to their unique goals.

Implementation:

The training session began by allowing participants to share their stories and aspirations for their businesses or organisations. This provided valuable context and allowed the facilitator to address the specific challenges faced by each participant. The course then focused on essential tips and a step-by-step guide to successfully finding and applying for grants and tenders. Participants worked through real-life examples, giving them hands-on experience and immediate feedback.

A standout feature of the session was the guest speaker, Mr. Herb Smith, Founder and CEO of Dreamtime Tuka, who shared his personal journey of building a successful business and securing major contracts, including tenders with Qantas. His story not only inspired participants but also illustrated how to effectively navigate the process of securing large-scale tenders.

The combination of practical tools, real-world examples, and the chance to connect with a seasoned entrepreneur made the training session both engaging and highly effective.

Results:

The results were fantastic:

100% of participants reported a significant increase in confidence in preparing tenders.

75% felt a big increase in their ability to apply for grants, with the remaining 25% feeling slightly more confident.

100% of participants expressed a significant increase in understanding of both tenders and grants compared to their knowledge before the training.

Every participant rated the training overall as “excellent.”

The Net Promoter Score (NPS) for the training was a perfect 100, with all participants stating they would recommend the session to others.

Conclusion:

This case study demonstrates the power of creating the right learning environment—one that incorporates storytelling, practical guidance, and easy-to-follow tools. By addressing the specific needs of First Nations participants and providing real-world examples of success, the training had a transformative impact. The strong results led to further training opportunities, and due to high demand and positive referrals, the number of attendees for subsequent sessions more than tripled.

What Participants Had to Say:

Great session with great presenters. variety of knowledge and great resources.

Loved the structure, loved the lunch included and friendliness of all involved.

Highly recommend this factual, enjoyable and valuable grant writing training. I feel 100% more confident about writing grants to win after completing the workshop and re-reading excellent information resources provided.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Nat! I found Nat to be really clear and easy to follow throughout the program! Will be purchasing a ‘Win the Grant’ book!

Realistic overview approach providing actual answers and positive decision processes; presented in a passionate, engaging, enjoyable way; great information and resources provided to take away.

Nat is an inspirational and competent person with her fun loving personality to provide the learnings of this session.

When asked what was most valuable about the training: