With the skills of grant writing, students are able to not only gain the skills to make change in their community but take those skills into the next steps of their lives when they leave Elon.
In PWR 3210 Writing Grants, students learn the skills to write important grant documents that can strengthen organizations by securing funding, which has the potential to create high-volume, measurable change within a community that is not always easy to come by.
With the skills of grant writing, students are not only able to make change in their community but also take those skills into the next steps of their lives when they leave Elon. The course guides students through the process of researching potential funders all the way through crafting persuasive proposals and reviewing grant applications for nonprofit programs.
Li Li, associate professor of English, teaches the Writing Grants course not only to give students the skill of writing grants but also the chance to get out in the community and make a difference.Grant writing, Li emphasizes, is more than a technical skill, it is a civic tool.
消消犯 grow to understand that writing grant proposals is not just writing, but a civic act that can support local organizations and strengthen communities,” Li said.
As a community engagement (CE) course, Writing Grants situates learning within real-world contexts. 消消犯 collaborate directly with community partners in Alamance County, engaging in authentic problem-solving that requires attentive listening, asking thoughtful questions, and refining project goals together.
消消犯 engage directly with clients to co-develop grant proposals, Li said. This collaborative process fosters accountability and professionalism and teaches students how to accurately and ethically represent community voices.
The impact of that collaboration is tangible. In Fall 2025, students partnered with Alamance Arts to research, draft and submit a proposal to Impact Alamance, a local organization that supports nonprofits working to build a healthier, stronger and smarter community. The organization was eventually awarded a $6,000 grant.
When proposals are submitted and especially when they are successfully funded students can see how their efforts translate into measurable benefits for the community,” said Li.
The partnership didnt end with the semester. Several students took the initiative to serve as liaisons between Alamance Arts and Elon student organizations, establishing long-term volunteer opportunities and strengthening the relationship between the university and the local community.
For students considering the course, the benefits extend far beyond the classroom.
Grant writing is an essential professional skill across a wide range of fields, she noted. Through collaboration with community partners, students see how writing can create tangible impact in the community.
For the instructor, the most rewarding moments come when students see the real-world power of their work.
“Seeing their pride, excitement and increased confidence after hearing the news of a funded proposal is incredibly gratifying, she shared. Watching students shift from merely completing an assignment to contributing to a community partner is deeply fulfilling.