Donor Funding & Grants Compliance Certification
A specialist 10-module programme that builds the skills to diversify funding, write winning proposals, design compliant budgets and run audit-ready grants across USAID, EU, UN agencies, FCDO and global foundations.
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.
Learning Objectives
Map the Donor World
Navigate bilateral, multilateral, foundation and corporate funding — and the instruments they use.
Diversify Funding
Build a balanced portfolio that reduces single-donor dependency and protects your mission.
Win Proposals
Craft theories of change, log-frames and narratives that score well with donor reviewers.
Build Compliant Budgets
Master direct/indirect costs, NICRA, allowability rules and donor-specific cost compliance.
Run Grants End-to-End
Negotiate awards, manage sub-grantees, report well and close out cleanly.
Stay Audit-Ready
Prepare for donor audits, embed anti-fraud controls and protect future funding.
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.
Global Donor Landscape & Funding Instruments
Donor families, ODA flows, grants vs cooperative agreements vs contracts, registrations.
Resource Mobilisation Strategy & Diversification
Portfolio thinking, BD pipeline discipline, unrestricted income and innovative finance.
Proposal Development & Theory of Change
ToC, log-frames, proposal writing and pink/red/gold reviews that win awards.
Donor Budgeting & Cost Compliance
Direct vs indirect costs, NICRA, allowable/allocable/reasonable, cost narratives.
Donor Rules — USAID, EU, UN, FCDO & Foundations
2 CFR 200, PRAG, FAFA, HACT and the practical rules behind every decision.
Grant Agreements, Negotiation & Start-Up
Reading awards like a lawyer, negotiating what matters, the first 90 days.
Grant Implementation, Monitoring & Reporting
Workplans, burn rate, modifications, NCEs, financial and narrative reporting.
Sub-Award Management & Partner Risk
NUPAS, HACT, OCA, flow-down clauses, monitoring and capacity strengthening.
Audit Preparedness, Investigations & Anti-Fraud
Single Audit, OIG/OLAF, investigations, fraud risk and a credible anti-fraud programme.
Donor Relationships, Stewardship & Closeout
Strategic stewardship, disciplined closeout and converting closeout into next-bid advantage.
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.
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.
Cost of Participation
A focused 2–3 week path through all 10 modules — ideal for practitioners who need to upskill fast for a new role or upcoming bid cycle.
The complete certification 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.
Certification
Participants who complete all 10 modules and pass each module quiz receive the IILPD Donor Funding & Grants Compliance Certification, recognised across NGOs, UN partners, government implementers and donor agencies as evidence of applied compliance and resource mobilisation competence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this certification for?+
Grants and compliance managers, programme directors, resource mobilisation leads, finance and audit professionals — anywhere donor funding flows: INGOs, CSOs, UN agencies, government departments and consortia.
Do I need a finance background?+
No. Financial concepts are introduced from first principles. If you already have a finance background, the modules on donor-specific cost rules and audit will deepen what you know.
Which donors does it cover?+
USAID and the US government (2 CFR 200, ADS 303), the EU (PRAG, Financial Regulation), UN agencies (FAFA, PCA, HACT, FLA), FCDO, and major foundations including Gates, Wellcome and Ford.
How is the programme delivered?+
Hybrid: self-paced lessons, 15-question module quizzes and applied case work using real donor templates. You may complete it as a focused 2–4 week sprint or as a full programme over 2 months.
How is the certificate issued?+
Once you pass every module quiz with at least 75% and your enrolment is activated, your IILPD Certificate of Completion is issued and downloadable from your portal.
Become a Donor-Ready Compliance Professional
Join the next cohort and earn your IILPD Donor Funding & Grants Compliance Certification — built around the regulations and practices of the world's most-cited donors.