This summer, the West Virginia Grant Resource Centers successfully hosted its third “Advanced Grant Writing” Microcredential Course.
Developed and led by Grant Centers’ Co-Director, Emily Brammer, this eight-week virtual course provides participants with opportunities to expand their existing knowledge and apply new strategies and techniques in real time as they assemble their own competitive proposal packages and earn a microcredential in the process. Advanced Grant Writing is hosted seasonally through Marshall Skills Exchange and serves as a follow-up to the introductory “Essentials of Grant Writing” Microcredential Course.
Following the course’s conclusion, the Grant Centers’ team connected with Evan Nelson and Kandi Workman, two members of the 2025 cohort, to learn more about their experience with the Advanced Grant Writing course.
Kandi Workman, Director of Strategic Development at the West Virginia Creative Network (WVCN), formerly known as the Tamarack Foundation for the Arts, is no stranger to grant writing. Since taking her first technical writing course in 2014, Workman has continued to refine her skills. Now, in her current role, she lends her expertise to develop successful project proposals for a variety of funding opportunities.
“From 2021 to 2025, my grant writing contributions have enabled WVCN to secure around $1.85 million in grant awards,” Workman said. “Because grant writing is a skill, I try to engage in training whenever possible, in-person and virtually. Initially grant writing jargon was a huge barrier. It has taken years of exposing myself to the language and then practically applying what I learn to hone my skills and gain a deeper understanding of this style of grant writing.”
Workman said she learned about the Advanced Grant Writing Microcredential Course through an advertisement and was inspired to enroll.
“I was interested in exploring what the program had to offer,” she said. “I wanted to see if there was something new I would learn, if I would understand a concept or approach better, or if this would be used as a great refresher course while getting a micro-credential.”
Evan Nelson, Career Connector Program Manager at Generation West Virginia, approached the Advanced Grant Writing Microcredential with a fresh perspective. Nelson, who had not previously engaged with grant training, said this experience marked his first formal introduction to the field.
“I wanted to have a better background on the subject so I could move in that direction with my career,” Nelson said.
Previously, Nelson said his grant writing experience had been limited to assisting with the development of a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG).
“I was unfamiliar with the process and how to submit,” Nelson said. “I knew how a grant should be written, but not how to submit the work or even where to look for new grants.”
Both Nelson and Workman emphasized that growth in grant writing comes with time, practice, and commitment to continued learning — all qualities they found in the Advanced Grant Writing Microcredential Course.
“The duration of the course and the depth of information was richer than other training experiences I’ve had,” Workman said. “The homework and feedback was also incredibly helpful, and that isn’t normally included in shorter training sessions.”
Nelson said the most valuable takeaway from the microcredential course had been gaining a more thorough understanding of the grant process and “what it looks like. “By the course’s conclusion, both participants said they felt they had achieved their goals.
“My goals were to engage in a refresher course and learn new things,” Workman said. “Both of those expectations were met.”
“I wanted to learn the ins and outs of writing a grant,” Nelson said. “I wanted to know where to look and how to submit it. This course covered everything.”
Reflecting on the overall experience, both students said they would recommend the Advanced Grant Writing Microcredential Course to others who are interested in expanding their grant writing skills.
“Even though I have experience with grant writing, I found this course engaging, interesting, and informative,” Workman said. “I loved having the accountability of the course. While it served as a wonderful refresher, I also learned new things—such as resources and tools to consider, and tips and tricks like how to revise sentences for clarity.”
“Emily [Brammer, the instructor] was absolutely amazing,” Nelson said. “I would highly recommend her to anyone interested in taking this course. She did fantastic from start to finish.”
The Essentials of Grant Writing and Advanced Grant Writing Microcredential Courses will return in 2026.
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