The Grant Institute

Pros: I did get a few good tips from the handouts.
Cons: This is clearly a scam to take everyone's money. Get the info online.

It is apparent that this whole operation is one big scam. Between what we experienced this week, our conversations with our instructor, other postings on this website, and complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau, it is clear that this is an ...

Pros: Nothing good.
Cons: NO one will help you. You will not get training. Look elsewhere.

Instructor selected late the night before. I left during day one because the class was so bad. The instructor did not have the materials needed for the class. I requested a refund. They sent a piece of paper disguised as a check. The check was returned for insufficient funds. I have been trying for a week to contact them. There is no one who will talk to you and there is no one of authority who can help solve the problem. After reading the other reviews, I realize this whole organization is a ruse. I will pursue contacting the Better Business Bureau to see if we can get them off the market.

Pros: None
Cons: Rip Off

This organization consistently uses the same method of operation to take advantage of people.  Patty Patchrint, Senior Program Coordinator will call the local nonprofits stating they had an emergency and need an instructor to teach a grant writing class.  In my case she stated the instructor had been in a car accident.  Patty is the nicest person initially. After she has collected her tuition money from students and the class has been taught, she will not return phone calls, emails and much less --- ignores all requests for payment.  I'm surprised they've gone this far.  I've checked their website and they continue to teach classes and rip people off.  I would think there is some legal recourse we could all take. If you know of any, please let me know.

Pros: None.
Cons: We were charged twice in 4 months. The Grant Institute would not return calls.

One of our members attended a workshop in July which we paid by credit card in advance. In October our credit card was charged a second time. No one from the Grant Institute would return our calls. After several futile attempts we initiated a fraud investigation through our bank that is still pending. I suspect that this entire operation is a scam. I just googled Grant Institute and this site came up related to "Grant Institute scam".

Pros: None
Cons: Lost money, time, etc.

I just drove two hours to Detroit to 3 day seminar by The Grant Institute. Not only did they not show, they never informed participants that they cancelled it. I called and asked and they said they sent me an e-mail. I never received it, so they blamed it on my e-mail filter. Ironically, I have received e-mail from them before - an invoice. It does not sound as if they will refund my money - they say will reschedule the meeting. I obviously do not want to drive back after this experience and feel I am in for a fight, judging by these other posts. Other folks had driven 13+ hours from northern Michigan (Upper Peninsula). DO NOT GIVE THIS GROUP ANY MORE MONEY. They appear fraudulent.

Pros: Nothing.
Cons: Bad. Bad. Bad.

This group does not pay its instructors, does not respect those that sign up for the classes, have no true commitment to improving the field of grant proposal writing. As a long time grants person who does my own trainings with nonprofits and others, I signed on to do teach a class for the Grants Institute. They never paid me, it was a complete mess, all supports that were supposed to be there were not. It was an embarassment and I only hope it didn't hurt my hard earned reputation by being there. I see no reason to trust or expect any type of quality from this group or its parent group ICI.