info@iilpd.org   ·   Addis Ababa · Lagos · Nairobi · Cairo
www.iilpd.org
IILPD
Donor Funding & Grants Compliance

Donor Funding & NGO Grants Management Training

A specialist 10-module programme that builds the skills to diversify funding, write winning proposals, design compliant budgets and manage NGO grants across USAID, EU, UN agencies, FCDO and global foundations.

10 Modules 30 Lessons USAID · EU · UN · FCDO Anti-Fraud IILPD Certified
Explore Programme
At a Glance
10
Modules
30
Lessons
150
Quiz Qs
Hybrid
Delivery
About the Programme

Programme Overview

Navigating the complex world of donor funding requires specialist skills. This certification builds them end-to-end — from resource mobilisation strategy through proposal writing, budget compliance, grant implementation, sub-award management, audit preparedness and donor stewardship.

Ten in-depth modules — each ending with a 15-question quiz (75% to pass) — cover the regulations of the world's most-cited donors and the operational practices that turn rules into reliable performance.

It is essential for NGOs, CSOs, UN partners and government implementers seeking financial sustainability, donor confidence and strong audit outcomes — and for the professionals who lead this work day-to-day.

What You Will Achieve

Learning Objectives

1
Map the Donor World

Navigate bilateral, multilateral, foundation and corporate funding — and the instruments they use.

2
Diversify Funding

Build a balanced portfolio that reduces single-donor dependency and protects your mission.

3
Win Proposals

Craft theories of change, log-frames and narratives that score well with donor reviewers.

4
Build Compliant Budgets

Master direct/indirect costs, NICRA, allowability rules and donor-specific cost compliance.

5
Run Grants End-to-End

Negotiate awards, manage sub-grantees, report well and close out cleanly.

6
Stay Audit-Ready

Prepare for donor audits, embed anti-fraud controls and protect future funding.

Curriculum

The 10 Modules

Each module contains three in-depth lessons with real donor examples, key terms, reflection prompts and a 15-question quiz. Modules unlock sequentially on a 75% passing score.

01
Global Donor Landscape & Funding Instruments

Donor families, ODA flows, grants vs cooperative agreements vs contracts, registrations.

02
Resource Mobilisation Strategy & Diversification

Portfolio thinking, BD pipeline discipline, unrestricted income and innovative finance.

03
Proposal Development & Theory of Change

ToC, log-frames, proposal writing and pink/red/gold reviews that win awards.

04
Donor Budgeting & Cost Compliance

Direct vs indirect costs, NICRA, allowable/allocable/reasonable, cost narratives.

05
Donor Rules — USAID, EU, UN, FCDO & Foundations

2 CFR 200, PRAG, FAFA, HACT and the practical rules behind every decision.

06
Grant Agreements, Negotiation & Start-Up

Reading awards like a lawyer, negotiating what matters, the first 90 days.

07
Grant Implementation, Monitoring & Reporting

Workplans, burn rate, modifications, NCEs, financial and narrative reporting.

08
Sub-Award Management & Partner Risk

NUPAS, HACT, OCA, flow-down clauses, monitoring and capacity strengthening.

09
Audit Preparedness, Investigations & Anti-Fraud

Single Audit, OIG/OLAF, investigations, fraud risk and a credible anti-fraud programme.

10
Donor Relationships, Stewardship & Closeout

Strategic stewardship, disciplined closeout and converting closeout into next-bid advantage.

How You'll Learn

Hybrid, Practical & Applied

Online & Self-Paced

Lessons, donor templates and quizzes accessible anytime from desktop, tablet or mobile.

Real Donor Case Work

Practise on real-style budgets, log-frames, sub-award packs and audit checklists drawn from USAID, EU, UN and FCDO.

Module-by-Module Mastery

Score at least 75% on each 15-question quiz to unlock the next — building durable, demonstrable skills.

Who Should Attend

Target Audience

Grants & Compliance Managers

Professionals leading grant management, compliance and donor reporting across INGO and CSO operations.

Programme & Resource Mobilisation Leaders

Programme directors, BD leads and resource mobilisation managers responsible for donor portfolios.

Finance, Audit & Risk Professionals

Finance managers, internal auditors and risk officers supporting donor-funded operations.

Investment

Cost of Participation

Full Programme
$680 / participant

The complete training programme with extended case work, donor-specific deep-dives and capstone start-up, reporting and closeout exercises.

  • Full 10-module specialist certification
  • 30 self-paced lessons with applied donor case studies
  • 15-question quiz at the end of every module (75% to pass)
  • Real donor templates: budgets, log-frames, sub-award packs, audit checklists
  • Capstone-style start-up, reporting and closeout exercises
  • Self-paced access across devices
  • IILPD Certificate of Completion
Consortium and institutional rates available on request.
Recognition

Certification

Participants who complete all 10 modules and pass each module quiz receive the IILPD Donor Funding & NGO Grants Management Training certificate, recognised across NGOs, UN partners, government implementers and donor agencies as evidence of applied grant management and resource mobilisation competence.

USAID · 2 CFR 200 EU PRAG UN FAFA / HACT FCDO Foundations
Good to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this certification for?
Grants and compliance managers, programme and resource mobilisation leaders, finance, audit and risk professionals, and anyone in an NGO, CSO, UN partner or government implementing agency who works with donor funding.
Do I need a finance background?
No. The budgeting and cost-compliance modules start from first principles and build up to NICRA, indirect cost recovery and donor-specific cost rules, so programme and grants staff can follow comfortably.
Which donors does it cover?
USAID (2 CFR 200), the European Union (PRAG), UN agencies (FAFA and HACT), FCDO, and major global foundations, plus corporate and innovative finance instruments.
How is the programme delivered?
Hybrid and self-paced: 10 modules, 30 lessons, downloadable donor templates and a 15-question quiz at the end of each module. Modules unlock sequentially on a 75% passing score.
How is the certificate issued?
Once you complete all 10 modules and pass every module quiz, your IILPD Donor Funding & NGO Grants Management Training certificate is issued digitally to your registered email.
Hybrid · 10 Modules · Donor-Aligned

Become a Donor-Ready Grants Management Professional

Join the next cohort and earn your IILPD Donor Funding & NGO Grants Management Training certificate — built around the regulations and practices of the world's most-cited donors.