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60 Days to Grant Ready
8-Week Implementation Cohort
Best for small nonprofits that are ready to get organized, do the work, and build a stronger foundation before chasing grants.
Build your nonprofit's grant readiness foundation, Grant Blueprint, and first funding direction in just 8 weeks.
Green Light Audit
Understand where your organization stands, what's missing, and what needs attention before pursuing funding. Leave with a Grant Readiness Gap List so you know which documents, systems, or details need to be completed or cleaned up.
Grant Blueprint Foundation
Write reusable grant language you can adapt for future applications, plus a defined, fundable program focus and a research-backed Need Statement.
Cause Area Vault + 90-Day Plan
Access researched funders by cause area so you don't start your funding search from scratch, and leave knowing what to do next with a practical 90-Day Funding Action Plan.
You will leave with
Green Light Audit + Gap List
Assess your current grant readiness and know exactly what needs to be fixed, gathered, or clarified before moving forward.
A clear, fundable program
Choose one strong funding focus, define your target population, and support it with research and statistics funders expect.
Blueprint, budget, and next steps
Build core Grant Blueprint language, a basic program budget, Cause Area Vault access, and a 90-Day Funding Action Plan.
The Real Problem
Most small nonprofits aren't struggling because they don't care. They're struggling because they aren't grant-ready yet.
You may have the mission. You may have the passion. You may even have a strong program idea. But when it's time to apply for funding, everything suddenly feels messy. You're trying to pull together program descriptions, statistics, budgets, board information, impact stories, and funder requirements — often at the last minute.
And that is where small nonprofits get stuck. Grant writing is much harder when the foundation isn't built first. That's what this program helps you fix.
Does this sound familiar?
- Unsure what funders actually need from you
- Rewriting mission and program language every time
- Struggling to explain your project clearly
- Missing key documents or organizational info
- Unsure what statistics or research to include
- Confused about which funders are a good fit
- Overwhelmed by deadlines and requirements
- Always starting from scratch
The Solution
That's exactly why I created 60 Days to Grant Ready — a nonprofit grant writing course designed specifically for small organizations who are serious about funding but don't know where to start. Eight focused weeks. That is all it takes.
This is not a giant self-paced course you buy and never finish. This is a guided 8-week implementation cohort designed to help small nonprofits build the core pieces they need before pursuing grants, sponsors, and funding opportunities.
- Assess your current grant readiness
- Clarify one fundable program or project
- Gather research and need statement data
- Define your target population
- Write core Grant Blueprint language
- Build a basic program budget
- Access researched funders via the Cause Area Vault
- Create a practical 90-Day funding action plan
Build the foundation first
Cohort 1 portal opens January 12, 2027
60 Days to Grant Ready
Meet Your Guide: Gwen Valentino
Since 2018, I’ve been navigating the intricate world of grant writing, initially cutting my teeth with the South Central Council of Governments.
I created 60 Days to Grant Ready because I see too many small nonprofits jump straight into grant applications before they have the foundation in place. This program is designed to help you slow down just enough to build the foundation — so you can move forward with more clarity, confidence, and direction.
$55M+ and counting in grants secured. 8 years of experience. 500+ grants reviewed.
Have Questions?
Mission
"At NM Grant Writers, LLC, our mission is simple: turn red tape into green lights. We fight for funding so nonprofits can focus on impact - bringing the grit, knowledge, and strategy to move organizations from stuck to thriving."
Vision
"A world where nonprofits are free from funding battles and fully focused on changing lives."
How the 8-Week Cohort Works
1. Show Up Weekly
Attend a live training session where we walk through one piece of the grant readiness process.
2. Complete the Work
Receive focused homework each week that builds toward your Grant Blueprint and funding plan.
3. Submit for Review
Submit assigned coursework for feedback so you know what's clear, what's missing, and what to strengthen.
4. Build the Foundation
Leave with stronger program language, a working GB foundation, and a practical next-step funding plan.
Week by Week
Week 1 — Grant Readiness + Green Light Audit
Assess where your nonprofit stands. Outcome: You'll know what needs to be fixed, gathered, or clarified before moving forward.
Week 2 — Project Idea + Fundable Program Clarity
Choose one clear program to build your GB around. Outcome: One focused program that funders can understand.
Week 3 — Research, Need Statement + Target Population
Identify sources, statistics, and target population details. Outcome: A stronger, research-backed need section.
Week 4 — Organization Background + Program Description
Write core narrative sections you can reuse. Outcome: Clear language you don't rewrite every time.
Week 5 — Goals, Objectives, Activities + Evaluation
Clarify what your program will accomplish and how you'll measure it. Outcome: A basic framework for explaining program success.
Week 6 — Budget, Budget Narrative + Sustainability
Build a simple program budget. Outcome: Understand what your program costs and how to explain those expenses.
Week 7 — Cause Area Vault, Funder Fit + First Funding Direction
Build your first funding pipeline. Outcome: A starting funding direction instead of a random list of grants.
Week 8 — Assemble the GB + 90-Day Funding Action Plan
Outcome: A working grant readiness foundation and a clear 90-day plan.
What's Included
8 Live Cohort Sessions, weekly homework, feedback on your work, workbook + templates, Green Light Audit, Grant Blueprint Framework, Cause Area Vault Access, and a 90-Day Funding Plan.
This program is for you if…
- You lead or support a small nonprofit
- You're preparing for first grants or early funding
- You know you need funding but aren't sure where to start
- You feel scattered with documents, program language, or budgets
- You want to build a Grant Blueprint foundation
- You need guidance, structure, and feedback
- You're willing to complete homework between sessions
- You want to stop chasing grants blindly
This program is not for you if…
- You want someone to write full grant applications for you
- You have an emergency grant deadline coming up immediately
- You're looking for unlimited edits or one-on-one consulting
- You don't want to complete weekly assignments
- You expect custom funder research beyond the Cause Area Vault
- You're looking for grant management or post-award support
This program is guided DIY. You will be doing the work — but you will not be doing it alone.
Your Investment
$997 — one-time payment. Pay in full today and receive the core program plus both bonuses (Cause Area Vault + Cold-to-Warm Kit).
A grant writer charges $75–$150/hour. Building everything in this program from scratch with professional support would cost $3,000–$8,000 in consulting fees — and take 6–12 months without a structured path.
$997 . 00
ONE-TIME
$997 one-time. Core program plus both bonuses (Cause Area Vault + Cold-to-Warm Kit).
- 8 live sessions
- Weekly homework
- Feedback on your work
- Workbook + templates
- Green Light Audit
- Grant Blueprint
- Cause Area Vault
- 90-Day plan
Included With Enrollment: Two Bonuses
Bonus 1 — Cause Area Vault Access
The Cause Area Vault gives you access to researched funders organized by cause area, so you don't have to start your funding search from scratch. Inside the cohort, you'll learn how to use the Vault strategically — sorting for fit, not just availability. Unlocked in Week 7.
Bonus 2 — Cold-to-Warm Funder Outreach Kit
Includes the full Cold-to-Warm Method, a 5-Step Outreach Pathway, 12 email templates, phone scripts, LinkedIn DM templates, a one-page funder introduction template, a mini LOI starter, an outreach tracker, and a follow-up calendar. Delivered alongside Week 7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to already have a grant picked out?
No. This program is designed to help you get organized first. You will also receive access to the Cause Area Vault to begin exploring possible funders.Will you write grants for me in this program?
No. This is not a done-for-you grant writing service. This is a guided implementation cohort where you build your own grant readiness foundation with support and feedback.Will I have a completed Grant Blueprint by the end?
You will leave with a strong working foundation of your GB. Some sections may still need refinement depending on how much information your organization already has available.What kind of feedback is included?
Feedback is provided on the weekly assigned coursework. The goal is to help you identify gaps, improve clarity, and stay on track.Is this good for a brand-new nonprofit?
Yes, if you are ready to do the work. Newer nonprofits may leave with a clearer understanding of what still needs to be built before applying.Is this good for an established nonprofit?
Yes, especially if your organization feels scattered, rewrites grant language constantly, or doesn’t have a central Grant Blueprint.How much time should I plan each week?
Plan for the live session plus additional time to complete homework. Most participants should expect 2–4 hours per week outside of class.Do I get custom funder research?
No. This program includes access to the Cause Area Vault and teaches you how to begin sorting and evaluating funders. Custom funder research is not included.What is your refund policy?
All payments are non-refundable once the cohort begins. If you need to cancel before the start date: 14+ days out, full refund minus a $150 processing fee; 7–13 days out, 50% refund; fewer than 7 days, no refund. In cases of serious hardship after the cohort begins, please reach out directly.
What Students Are Saying
"Gwen is an amazing coach and an absolute stellar grant writer. She is generous with her expertise and background in sharing how to help students move from writing their first grant to getting their first nonprofit client and beyond. She has secured multi-millions in grants for municipalities and organizations in New Mexico. If you are a municipality, government agency, or nonprofit in New Mexico looking for grants - hire Gwen!"
Ready to stop starting from scratch?
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