Grant Writing as a Teaching Tool: Turning Students into Changemakers

After the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003, Iraq’s nonprofit sector began to emerge. My first grant writing attempt wasn’t complete, wasn’t polished, but it started like most good proposals do — as an idea, a solution to a problem.

The problem was simple to describe but complex to solve. USAID wanted to donate books to Baghdad University — books in English about democracy.

Why That Was a Problem

1. Most Iraqi students read and understood limited English. Under the regime, English was portrayed as the enemy’s language — yet it was weaponized as a gatekeeping tool to block students from completing postgraduate studies. I knew this firsthand because I taught legal English and saw how learners struggled to speak, read, and comprehend it. Professors often made students’ lives miserable by weaponizing English, and sadly, many followed the example set by the country’s leader.

2. Books in the library don’t always get read. In Iraq, unreliable electricity meant students used whatever light they had to prepare for exams, not for leisure reading. When survival and success depend on test scores, books about democracy — no matter how valuable — often gathered dust.

Designing a Solution

I proposed to USAID a writing contest in Arabic. Students would read at least one of the donated books under the guidance of a professor who could help them understand the concepts and answer questions. Many Iraqi professors had studied abroad in the U.S. or U.K., so they could provide that vital context.

Professors would be compensated for their time, and the top three students would receive desktop computers — a powerful incentive in 2003 Iraq. I collaborated with the University of Baghdad’s cultural department to create contest guidelines. Students would defend their papers before a committee, which would select the winners.

Watching those students debate, argue, and answer questions was one of the most powerful moments of my career as an educator. Giving the winners their prizes felt cathartic — especially because I had skipped my own graduation years earlier to avoid shaking hands with the Deputy of the Revolutionary Command Council under the Hussein regime.

That experience was my first grant. It taught me that grant writing wasn’t just about securing funds; it was about designing a solution that fit the people, the context, and the moment.

How I Learned the Craft

Since then, I’ve honed my grant writing skills the same way I’ve learned so many things in life — at my own pace, creating a personalized learning experience. I sought feedback from UN, World Bank, and nonprofit experts from the U.S. and U.K. I learned budgeting, proposal structure, and — most importantly — the art of asking for funds.

One of my grant mentors gave me a lesson I still carry today:

“If you can do it for free, then why should they fund it? Don’t do it for free — but you can pilot it for a fee.”

Why Grant Writing Belongs in the Classroom

Grant writing isn’t just a fundraising skill. It’s a teaching tool that builds:

• Research skills – Students learn to investigate real-world problems.
• Budget literacy – Understanding the cost of impact is an education in itself.
• Persuasive writing – Students must make a compelling case for their vision.
• Collaboration – Many grants require group work, roles, and shared accountability.
• Civic engagement – They learn how funding decisions shape communities.

How to Use Grant Writing as a Teaching Strategy

Whether you’re in education or nonprofit leadership, here’s a simple framework:

1. Start with a real need: Let participants identify an issue they care about in their community or field.
2. Teach them to tell the story: Show how a compelling narrative attracts supporters and funders.
3. Build the budget together: Break down what resources cost and why they matter.
4. Simulate or submit: Even if it’s a mock grant, treat it like the real thing. For real grants, aim for small, achievable funding first.
5. Reflect on the process: What did they learn about impact, strategy, and themselves?

A Skill You Can Hone — Not a Talent You’re Born With

Since that first USAID contest, I have followed the same approach and strategy to secure funding — more than $70 million in projects, including the first $5K for Women and the Environment Organization, $150K the following year, and $46K in less than nine months last year.

Grant writing is not about:

• Having flawless writing skills
• Being in the field for decades
• Being a native English speaker

It’s a skill you can hone. You invest in it by:

• Reading about the latest funding trends
• Reviewing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) closely
• Suggesting solutions that the organization can realistically implement
• Seeking feedback when a proposal isn’t accepted — and trying again

Grant Writing Is Leadership

Grant writing isn’t just about bringing in money — it’s about leading with purpose. When someone on your team succeeds, you celebrate them. Without jealousy. Without insecurity.

That’s harder than it sounds — especially when the win comes from someone who doesn’t fit the “expected” profile. Sometimes, in my own experience, the win is questioned if it doesn’t come with the “right” color, race, gender, or signature.

But a win is a win. And for me, it has always been about sharing knowledge and empowering others, because I lead with purpose — even when those around me lead with insecurity.

Call to Action: If you have an idea worth funding, don’t wait for perfect conditions. Start with the problem you see, craft a solution that fits your community, and be humble enough to keep learning. The world needs more changemakers — and your next grant could be the first step.