News from the Grant Professionals Foundations

GPA 2020 Annual Conference Scholarship Essay, by Anna Bilyeu

/by

Grant Professionals Foundation Scholarship

When I realized that the Grant Professionals Association Annual Conference scheduled for November 2020 was going to be virtual instead of in beautiful Denver, CO, I was disappointed. Like so many other events of the year, it was something to look forward to, a highlight for me professionally. This was to be my first GPA conference. As someone who has worked as a grant writer for less than three years, I value learning from those who have more experience. A national conference with other professionals who are drawn to and enjoy this work was just what I needed, at the right time, and I was understandably bummed it would be on my computer screen instead of in-person.

I shouldn’t have worried about the event being virtual, however, because GPA knocked it out of the park! The conference was entertaining, engaging, and informative, and I was grateful for the chance to attend as a Grant Professionals Foundation Conference Scholar. I challenged myself and re-framed how I felt about the online format; Added flexibility, the ability to keep my camera off if needed, and the sessions being recorded and accessible for a full year were all part of the positives for me.

The conference website was easy to navigate and opened early enough to leave plenty of time for making my personal agenda for each day. With so many great presentations to choose from, I needed that extra time to decide! The ability to see who else was registered and poke around at sponsor exhibits was also very helpful and made the conference time go smoothly. I really appreciated being able to network with colleagues and plan meetings on my own schedule.

Jess Pettitt, Keynote Speaker & Master of Ceremonies, was hilarious and did a great job kicking things off and injecting humor into the start of every day. Her advice regarding how to get the most of out the conference was essential, and her comedy stylings were much needed during what could have otherwise been a very stressful week.

My favorite sessions:

  • One of the first sessions I spotted and immediately registered for was “Marginalized Communities Need Data Too: How to Get it? What to do When You Don’t Have It?” with K. Scott Nelson, GPC and Michelle Molina. Several of my clients work with marginalized communities and lack of data has always been an issue. I appreciated the engaging presentation and both presenters’ thoughtful replies to questions, I left the session with several helpful resources and ideas.
  • “All You Need to Know About the GPC and More!” with Julie Assel, GPC, and David Lindeman, GPC, CFRE was perfectly timed for me, as I will be eligible for the GPC exam in 2021. Many of my questions were answered, I was relieved that the process isn’t nearly as intimidating as I expected!
  • I also appreciated “A MUST Do: Be a Grant Reviewer!” with Dr. Ericka Harney, GPC, CFRE, CAE, CVA. This is a topic I had been considering but didn’t know much about until the session. 
  • “You are Not Alone. Burnout is Real, Relevant, and Recoverable” with Trish Bachman, GPC, Bethany Planton, GPC, and Johna Rodgers, GPC was so well done, I am sure I am not the only attendee who felt it was a highlight! This topic is important, especially as we continue to experience new stressors in our daily lives. Recognizing when burnout is happening and finding a good balance is essential. It’s nice to know that there are grant writers studying this phenomenon.

Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this conference run smoothly, your time and effort did not go unnoticed. We all know it’s not easy to make virtual conferences work, or feel like an in-person gathering, but GPA, you did an amazing job in 2020! I look forward to the day that we are able to gather in person again, but I know that no matter how future GPA events are held, they will always be a great experience.

More information about Conference Scholarships, including application dates and eligibility criteria, is available here.

GPA 2020 Annual Conference Scholarship Essay, by Bethany Watson

/by

Grant Professionals Foundation Scholarship

While this year has presented its fair share of challenges, one particular highlight was my attendance at the 2020 GPA National Conference. Like most members of the nonprofit sector, the past few months have forced me to be flexible, resilient, and almost completely alter my original grants pipeline I had developed back in September of 2019. Working in the world of hunger relief, we have certainly experienced an unprecedented increase in local food insecurity rates, with the state of Indiana being no exception. Consequently, my organization has been busier than even trying to make our food output meeting the growing need in our service area. With all of this going on at the same time, it was such a gift to spend three days this past November learning from fellow grant professionals, growing in my field, and gathering best practices that I can use to help improve my own work for years to come.

I originally became involved with my local GPA chapter back in 2018 when I began my first position as a grant professional. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know my fellow colleagues and talking about the things that only a grant writer would understand. I am sure I speak for a lot of people when I say that most of my friends and family are not familiar with the minutia that comes with writing/managing a grant department. After attending monthly meetings on a regular basis, I became the board member in charge of programming for the Indiana Chapter starting in January of 2020. At the time, we had no idea how drastically we would have to switch up our schedule of events to provide more virtual opportunities, but it has been a great experience nonetheless. Not only have I been able to participate in professional development sessions, but I have also been able to connect to a wide network of brilliant leaders throughout the nonprofit sector. Maintaining such a great experience just throughout the state level, I knew I would benefit from connecting with fantastic professionals dedicated to their craft across the entire country. It came as no surprise, but I experienced that same level of connection with the national conference this year.

I was a little skeptical about how the switch to a virtual model would affect our ability to network with other colleagues, particularly since this would be my first time attending the conference. While I certainly missed connecting with people in person (not to mention traveling to Denver for a mini-getaway), I thought the Pathable platform was an excellent method for inspiring togetherness even when we were not in the same room. It was even more accessible for those that are typically unable to travel but could attend a conference from the comfort of their own living room! I was able to interact with several online text threads, contribute to chat messages, and even participate in one on one meetings with fellow attendees I met throughout various other sessions. I loved the ability to earn points and track your progress along with the contest leadership board – a healthy level of competition is always an inspiring motivator! Because we were able to view where each grant professional worked, I reached out to several food bank colleagues to hear about their experience writing grants in the realm of charitable hunger relief. I am not often able to connect with other members in the food bank industry, especially those whose roles parallel my own. While I loved hearing and learning about the work of grant professionals in other businesses like arts organizations, advocacy groups, etc., I thoroughly enjoyed getting to hear from colleagues that experience similar challenges and expectations as I do (a little commiseration is always welcome). I have even been able to host virtual meetings with colleagues over the past few weeks since the conference has ended. With this being my first time attending, I can only imagine how many connections I will continue to make each year.

The congeniality and overall amiable quality of the conference was heightened by the model leadership exemplified by Mike Chamberlain, Amanda Day, and of course the witty, motivational style of Jess Pettitt. Their level of care toward the conference and GPA members was evident in their professionality and poise as they kicked off every morning with a healthy dose of optimism. While we were unable to share a meal together in person, I appreciate the availability of virtual lunch break assemblies, with topics ranging from the wide variety of interests displayed by attendees. I myself enjoyed conversations had while participating in the Human Services and Grant Management breakrooms. One could also tell the conference was planned by people who truly understood the needs of those that work in the grant profession, because all of the sessions provided extremely relevant topics to a wide variety of different organizations and a range of experiences from early career members all the way to professionals who have been working with grants for decades. I found myself having a difficult time deciding which ones to pick at certain points during the week, which is why I plan on checking out session recordings while they are still available!

In my field, I particularly enjoy topics surrounding data collection and usage. My own organization is currently in the process of trying to collect more client-centric data, ensuring we utilize this information to inform our programming and best serve the people that need it most. In the past, we typically have concentrated on the number of pounds distributed and individuals served. However, as we focus more on nutrition and the effect of healthy foods on chronic conditions related to hunger, we are intent on measuring factors related to a client’s understanding of a balanced diet, the number of clients experiencing heart disease, hypertension, or diabetes, and access to the nearest healthy food retailer. Since hunger disproportionately affects disadvantaged populations like rural communities, seniors, and People of Color (POC), we are increasingly interested in collecting data relevant to these demographics. As such, I attended quite a few sessions regarding data and evaluation, gleaning valuable information that I can use to help my organization cater to the specific needs of the clients we serve.

We are also embarking on a campaign over the next several years, so I was grateful for sessions related to this topic – especially considering how new I still am to the field. Another relevant subject to my work includes integrating a grants team strategy into organizational goals. In early 2019, we launched a 5-year strategic plan intended to outline our role in closing the meal gap for central and southern Indiana while convening with local social service organizations to develop holistic solutions for Hoosiers living in poverty. I was grateful to attend session relevant to strategic plans, which will help me strengthen our grant team’s role over the next few years in accomplishing long-term objectives. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed every session I attended, having put a lot of thought into the ones I would most enjoy in a live setting. I am also grateful for the continued professional development I will receive as I watch other sessions I was unable to observe during the conference.

I am so incredibly grateful to the Grant Professionals Foundation for providing me with a scholarship to attend my very first conference. Without this funding, I would most likely not have been able to join, thereby missing out on a great community and a wealth of knowledge. Every colleague I had spoken to prior to the conference that had attended in previous years spoke quite highly of this resource and attested to its positive effect on long-term professional outcomes. I can assuredly say that my experience lived up to the high expectations established by my peers. My organization has quite a few large-scale projects coming up over the next few years, requiring an increasingly sophisticated and capable advancement team needed to raise funds for these plans. With the tools and best practices learned throughout the course of this conference, I feel more confident as a grant writer and fundraiser in my ability to effectively communicate our case for support, utilize data to highlight the need for our services, and help establish strategic solutions that truly cater to the people we serve. Thank you to GPF as well as everyone involved in planning the 2020 GPA National Conference for an experience that I will remember throughout my entire career.

More information about Conference Scholarships, including application dates and eligibility criteria, is available here.

GPA 2020 Annual Conference Scholarship Essay, by Alexandra Rudolph

/by

Grant Professionals Foundation Scholarship

What can be said about the value of the Grants Professional Association’s Annual Conference and the Grant Professional Foundation’s Conference Scholarship to a grant professional?

More than can be surmised in fifteen hundred words. However, defining the undefinable with efficiency and brevity is what we do best as grants professionals! Right?!

I wish to first extend my immense gratitude to the Grants Professional Foundation (GPF). This year, due to the impact of COVID 19, I would have been financially unable to attend the GPA Conference. Thanks to the generous opportunity provided by GPF, I was able to attend the full virtual conference. This conference is an incredible and unmissable event for a grant professional. The tremendous altruism of the grant community and GPF are well represented in this scholarship program. Through these scholarships individual grant professionals like myself, as well as organizations, can advance their knowledge and skill set.

To the Grant Professionals Foundation and the Grant Professionals Association, I extend my heartfelt and sincere thanks.

Why the GPA conference and this scholarship are so important to the grant community at large is clear.

The Grants Professional Association’s (GPA) National Conference is more than workshops and networking. It is a community. Gathered once a year are the best and most knowledgeable professionals in the grant business. They are also the most welcoming and supportive network of people you could hope to join. I have never felt more at home then when I am at a GPA conference (well except for when I am at Disneyland!)

GPA and its affiliated organizations, like GPF, advocate for excellence. They promote ethical practices, support for their members, and help the membership achieve individual success. GPA’s leadership leads by example, upholding the values they espouse. I have interacted with Mike Chamberlain, Kelli Romero, and Barb Boggs on many occasions. Each interaction was professional, friendly, and clearly fueled by a desire to assist their membership. I cannot say enough wonderful things about how immensely helpful GPA staff are. Whether it is clarifying an ethical concern or just fielding general questions about conference registration, the GPA staff are quick to reply and thorough in their response.

As a grant professional at the start of my career, GPA is the best investment I have made towards my future. In a field that requires continued education, GPA provides me with the tools needed to take my grants career in the direction that best suits me. It was through the conference that I was introduced to the Grant Professionals Certification Institute (GPCI). GPCI and the Grant Professional Certification (GPC) are an excellent way to strengthen your knowledge and advance your career. Having an GPC is my next goal as a grant pro. A GPC gives consultants, like me, a way to better showcase our talents and promote ourselves to potential clients. Being afforded this opportunity is truly an amazing thing. Often a grant professionals’ expertise is not fully understood or appreciated. A GPA membership and a GPC give grant professionals an extra layer of support and validation. This is vitally important during those times when a client or organization needs additional guidance or leadership. In those times a grant professional may not be fully appreciated, or their input dismissed. The backing of GPA and a GPC can assist with this, giving strength to the grant pro when they need it most.

Another wonderful aspect of the conference is the networking opportunities. I have attended three GPA Conferences since joining in 2018, two of them have been virtual. During my first conference I signed up for the mentor program. My GPA mentor has been both friend and advisor in the years since. Through my advisor I have met a network of amazing colleagues. Each of whom has shared their time, experience, and expertise with warmth and generosity. At this year’s conference I introduced myself in a lunch session rather meekly, downplaying my role and skill set. My mentor and others in the chat (one of whom was Johna Rogers the VP of GPA’s Board of Directors!) immediately rallied to boost my confidence and help me realize the value of my work. As the session went on, they did the same for others, supporting, and galvanizing each individual with their encouragement. To see how quickly GPA’s membership and leaders rallied to support their members was inspiring. In a year where it seems impossible to stay positive, they were, and freely bestowed that positivity on others! It was also amazing to see that this was possible through a virtual format. That is how genuine each of these amazing individuals and their sentiments were.

Even with the virtual nature of this year’s conference, I was able to make real connections. In previous years there was only a small representation of grant professionals from Northern Arizona, where I work. This year, perhaps because of the virtual nature of the conference, there was a large turnout of grant pros from my neck of the woods. A few were even from my city! It was encouraging to see other professionals from my local area. So, encouraging in fact that at the time of writing this essay a meeting is set to discuss the potential of a Northern Arizona GPA Chapter!

The breakout and lunch sessions were also wonderful. In breakout sessions, each conversation I had was meaningful. It was wonderful to connect with so many other grant professionals. I gained a wealth of new insight into grant work and my colleagues. It was wonderful to share this experience with others in a way that felt natural and intuitive. The breakout sessions were run so smoothly. They were a wonderful way to overcome the limitations of social distancing and to achieve what is best about the conference, building a grant professional family!

At every conference I have taken away lessons I have been able to apply to my work. From federal grant compliance to improving your writing, GPA’s presenters share their skills and advice with the intention to make the grant world better. In my short time as a grant professional I have come across my share of challenges. At each hurdle I have been able to call on something I learned from my GPA Conference experience. The seminars I attended were creative and insightful. Whether the topic was advancing my career or addressing gaps in my skill set, each seminar provided me with something beneficial. For example, Amanda Day’s presentation about Elizabeth Holmes was particularly illuminating. It was an excellent case study in what not to do while running a nonprofit. As someone who is still just starting out (or feels like they are) it was a great introduction to some of the red flags a grants consultant may encounter with potential clients.

This year’s conference left me feeling more confident in my abilities. I felt the skills I already had were strengthened while I grew and gained additional skills. The new skills I acquired this year are already being put to good use with my current work as a subcontractor. When I began working as a grant consultant, I had a very specialized niche, museums. While I worked on a wide variety of grant types (federal, state, local, and foundation) and a wide number of projects, I only truly wrote on one hyper-specific subject matter. When I began to branch out and seek subcontracting opportunities and new clients, I soon realized my specialization may have been limiting my potential.

This conference I focused on attending seminars that would broaden my skill set and help me become a more versatile writer and consultant. This is also why I decided to take on subcontracting work, to apprentice, if you will, under more experienced grant professionals.

While museums are still my foremost passion, it became undeniably obvious that I needed to broaden my expertise to accommodate a larger range of clients more effectively.

Grants and organizations like GPA have a far greater impact that many understand. When a GPA member attends a conference, they take their knowledge and skill back to their communities. This knowledge and these skills are then employed by the grant professional for the good of their community. My goal to broaden my knowledge base was also partially spurred by this realization.

I have become aware that there is a lack of support for schools, non-profits, and youth-based organizations where I live. In a city with a high population of retirees, there are many who argue that organizations and programs that do not directly benefit that population are not worth supporting. Many organizations rely heavily on grants to survive. I hope that in the near future what I have gained from GPA can be instituted in my community.

By supporting me with a GPF scholarship, GPA has not only helped me, but helped my local community.

So, what is the value of the GPA National Conference? In short, it is invaluable.

You cannot put a dollar amount on what can be gained from the conference, or a GPA membership. What you take away from being a part of this community is so individualized and long lasting that in the end you feel you owe GPA!

More information about Conference Scholarships, including application dates and eligibility criteria, is available here.

GPF launches the Grant Pro Swag Store

/by

The Grant Pro Swag Store of the Grant Professionals Foundation is your one-stop-shop for all your grant swag needs!

SHOP NOW

Purchases in the Grant Pro Swag Store provide funds for the Grant Professionals Foundation for scholarships for grant pros for membership in the Grant Professionals Association, attend the GPA National Conference, earn and maintain the Grant Professional Certified credential.

SHOP NOW

Fundraising during a pandemic: Combining passions and skills

/by

In addition to being a grants professional, I’m also a qualified Pilates teacher and Certified Personal Trainer. At the start of the year, I never thought these two passions and communities could be combined. I never thought we’d experience a pandemic either! Prior to the outbreak of the coronavirus, I used to spend my Saturday mornings teaching Pilates Reformer classes at a boutique studio in Austin, TX.

Pilates studio
Pilates Studio in Austin, TX

In March, when COVID-19 put everyone in lock-down and the stay-at-home order was put in place, I saw an opportunity to use my teaching skills for the benefit of the Grant Professionals Foundation (GPF) by offering weekly Pilates mat classes to clients and friends with fees being donated to directly support their mission: Strengthening Nonprofits – Advancing The Grant Profession.

This idea and approach could be seen as altruistic. In all honesty, my key motivation was maintenance: maintaining a connection with my Pilates community; maintaining health and fitness for us all; maintaining a routine and a sense of normality, especially when everything else seemed to be so disruptive and uncertain.

Not knowing how long we were likely to be in lock-down – thinking it could be a few weeks and then realizing it was more likely to be several months – I embraced Zoom and turned my Saturday morning classes into mat Pilates workouts. Most people who practice Pilates do so in a studio with specialized apparatus designed to help accelerate the process of stretching, strengthening, body alignment, and increased core strength started by the fundamental mat work. Joseph Pilates (yes, he was a real person) first developed his physical fitness system in the early 20th century. Calling it “Contrology,” his method focuses on the art of controlled movements, placing emphasis on alignment, breathing, developing a strong core, and improving coordination and balance.

My clients don’t own a $3000 Pilates Reformer (sadly, neither do I!) but everyone had a yoga mat, blanket, or towel they could use. They had time on their hands while at home and all wanted to connect with others – even through a computer screen. The kids and cats made it all the more fun!

Online Pilates
Online Pilates Mat Classes, via Zoom

Most people outside of the grants community are unfamiliar with the GPF. Perhaps even some grant professionals don’t realize the GPF was established in January 2006 to ensure resources are available to educate, credential, and assist grant professionals who secure the funding necessary for not-for-profits to serve the greater good. After receiving a GPF Scholarship last year to attend the 2019 GPA Annual Conference, I wanted to continue to engage with the GPF and support its cause – giving back as a way to show my appreciation for an amazing first-time experience at the GPA conference. I wrote a previous blog – as did other Scholars – about my experience.

GPF conference scholars 2019
GFP Conference Scholars 2019

Transitioning from in-person studio Pilates classes to at-home virtual classes was an ideal opportunity to talk to my Pilates clients about how the GPF provides scholarships to grant professionals and non-profit executives. All of my Pilates clients have been most generous; letting me into their homes and helping me raise money for the GPF. They keep showing up each week, with energy and focus as I say “Just one more time” into the microphone!

Now the GPF has just announced the scholarship recipients for the 2020 GPA Annual Conference – congratulations to all 12 Scholars  – I’m pleased to tell my Pilates clients how they’ve made a big difference and helped strengthen the grants profession and nonprofit community. I’m pleased to have raised a few dollars for the GPF and increased awareness of the work they do.

I know many grant professionals also have side hustles, pet projects, and hobbies that fill their time when they’re not being grant rock stars. The GPF often sees these hidden talents shine during its silent auction – their signature fundraising event – held at the GPA annual conference. While the GPA conference is a virtual event this year, the silent auction has always been online. Items for the silent auction are being accepted now and can be donated through the GPF website.

This pandemic certainly wasn’t on my 2020 “vision board” 😊, but I am glad to have had the chance to get creative and combine my passion and skills for the greater good. I hope others reading this blog will consider ways in which they can do the same.

By Victoria Threadgould – Grant Professional. GPF Board Member. Pilates Teacher.

Congratulations to the GPF 2020 Conference Scholars

/by

As part of our mission, the GPF supports education that provides knowledge to grant professionals, advocacy that gives them greater access to funding and credentialing that establishes and promotes excellence in the field.

Throughout the year, the GPF offers several scholarships that are open to all grant professionals. We are excited to announce the latest scholarship recipients for the 2020 Grant Professionals Association (GPA) Annual Conference, which will take place virtually from November 4-6.

We would like to congratulate the following scholars who have been awarded full scholarships to attend the 2020 GPA Annual Conference Online:

  • Molly Peterson – Arizona Founding Chapter Jerry Dillehay Scholarship
  • Sara Wagner – Arizona Founding Chapter Jerry Dillehay Scholarship
  • Lynda Weigel-Firor – Arizona Southern Chapter Conference Scholarship
  • Jennifer Deering – Arkansas Chapter Conference Scholarship
  • Georgia Carvalho – New England Chapter Chuck Howard Scholarship
  • Mivsam Yekutiel – Oregon & SW Washington Chapter Michael Wells Scholarship
  • Anna Bilyeu – GPF Scholarship
  • Amy Luby – GPF Scholarship
  • Kara Peterson – GPF Scholarship
  • Alexandra Rudolph – GPF Scholarship
  • Jenna Trisko – GPF Scholarship
  • Bethany Watson – GPF Scholarship

Scholars will submit an essay about their attendance at the conference, its value to them as a grant professional, and the impact of the GPF scholarship. All scholar essays will be posted on the GPF blog soon after the 2020 GPA Annual Conference. 

Many thanks to all the GPA chapters and individuals who continue to donate to help these scholarships advance the grant profession.

If you would like to apply for future GPF scholarships, the fall application period for Membership Scholarships begins September 1, 2020. Read the Membership Scholarship Guidelines and apply online.

Congratulations to the GPF 2020 Membership Scholars

/by

As part of our mission, the GPF supports education that provides knowledge to grant professionals, advocacy that gives them greater access to funding and credentialing that establishes and promotes excellence in the field. To support our partner – the Grant Professionals Association (GPA) – and grant professionals nationwide, the GPF offers membership scholarships every spring and fall.

We would like to congratulate the following scholars who received membership this spring:

Trish Bachman, DC Metro & Delmarva Chapter
Agnes Saint Preux, Florida South Chapter
Dane Sosniecki, Heart of America Chapter
Terri Vourganas, SE Texas Chapter
Seante Johnson, SE Texas, Chapter

If you would like to apply for future membership scholarships, which are open to all grant professionals, the fall application period begins September 1, 2020. Read the Membership Scholarship Guidelines and apply online.

GPA 2019 Annual Conference Scholarship Essay, by Michael Hertlein

/by

OR/SW Washington Chapter Michael Wells Scholarship

Not just another cup of coffee.

This was my first GPA annual conference. I had both high expectations for the conference, and at the same time no idea what to expect. Would the lectures really teach me something? Would the networking times really produce anything? Would this be “just another conference” or would I walk away with real-world skills and connections I didn’t have before?

The conference started off positively with Vu-Le giving the opening Keynote Presentation. He managed to summarize many aspects of what it’s like to be a non-profit professional, while challenging us in the non-profit sector to pursue even more collaboration, rather than see other non-profit entities as your competitors. He did so with a dash of humor which kept everyone smiling throughout his presentation.

Then the breakout sessions started. Three days of teaching on a wide variety of topics. Since I am a grant writer by profession I mostly attended classes that would improve my everyday writing, with one or two on career advancement to help me plan for the future. Thus far in my career I have only written grants to private foundations, and as of yet have never written a federal proposal. I of course have heard about federal proposals, how they can be much bigger to write, but also how your clients can potentially receive a lot more money from a federal proposal. Naturally I was interested in an opportunity to win my clients much larger checks, however had very little real knowledge what it takes to write a winning federal grant.

Over the course of these three days I was able to gain incredible insight into the writing and review process of preparing a federal grant, as well as the grant management necessary after a federal grant has been won. This came in the form of formal lectures on federal grant writing and management, as well as sitting down with grant writers who write exclusively federal grants for their city or university.  

Next, I focused on preparing for the GPC exam since receiving the GPC credential is one of my career goals. I had a very similar experience of following formal lectures on reasons to consider the GPC, exam requirements, etc. I also had the opportunity to sit down with a number of GPC’s and hear why they pursued that credential as well as how that credential has affected their career as a non-profit professional. I was also somewhat worried about the logistics of actually taking the exam, however the friendly people of the Grant Professional Certification Institute (GPCI) helped me problem solve a solution that would work for my specific situation.

Finally, I followed a number of sessions specifically on grant writing. During these sessions, I received many simple yet powerful tips and tricks to make the whole grant writing process easier. One powerful example was the importance of clarity. The goal is not to “dumb down” your writing, but make it simple and easy to read. The presenter likened it to trying to open the packaging of a new product. You can eventually get it open, but with difficult packaging you will struggle, possibly even become frustrated. When you make your writing simple and easy to understand you have a better chance the reader will understand it right away, perhaps even enjoy reading your grant. Which will ultimately improve your grant’s chances of being funded.

Throughout the conference there was time to sit down with private and federal grant writers, grant managers, non-profit management software development professionals, and even funders who attended the conference to talk about issues, gain understanding of the other person’s “side of the coin”, and ultimately build connections that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. I have attended a number of online grant writing workshops via my computer in my office, and I intend to do so again in the future. However, the opportunities to network and learn from other professionals with a totally different experience of the non-profit landscape was very enlightening and educational for me. I plan to use all I have learned during this conference and very much look forward to the next conference in Denver, Colorado. Hope to see you there!  

Scholarship applications for the GPA 2020 Annual Conference will open soon. More information is available here.

GPA 2019 Annual Conference Scholarship Essay, by Lisa King

/by

Grant Professionals Foundation Scholarship

It’s my favorite event of the year – the annual Grant Professionals Association (GPA) Conference. I have been to two previous conferences, but this year I was fortunate enough to be selected as a Grant Professionals Foundation Scholar. This year was also particularly special for me because I earned my Grant Professionals Certification (GPC) in April.

Washington, DC was a dream setting. Coming from Southern California, the cool air and autumn-colored trees set a refreshing tone to be around my grant peers and learn from the experts in the field. Each year I like to choose one to two areas where I feel I need growth and attend the appropriate breakout sessions. My focus was on evaluation and federal funding because the organization I work for, the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE), was recently awarded a Perkins grant and it had been a long time since OCDE had received federal funding.The conference gave me the perfect opportunity to brush up my skills.

The first two sessions I attended were fantastic! I kicked off my morning with A Better (or Just More Fun) Way to Logic Model. The session was hosted by Erin Holbrook from Via Evaluation. Erin was engaging and allowed time for hands-on implementation on how to create a logic model. One of the biggest takeaways was the “If —>Then” logic. It was stated that the Inputs, Activities, and Outputs are the “If” and the Outcomes and Impact are the “Then”. For example, “IF you do x and y, THEN it should equal z.” This logic ultimately shows change over time.

The next session I attended was, Federal Grant Post Award Considerations for Grant Writers. This was hosted by Scott S. Sheffler in partnership with Feldesman + Tucker + Leifer + Fidell, LLP. For those with federal funding or considering federal funding, this session was informative! It was stated in the very beginning that, “Federal grants do not give you money, you are entering into an agreement.” Word to the wise, look at the three “Certains”: 1) certain activities (scope of work); 2) certain time periods (project and budget period); and 3) certain costs (necessary and reasonable). Make sure what you are agreeing to is beneficial to your organization and the beneficiaries of the funding/program. I could have listened to Scott present for hours. The knowledge gained in this session was worth the cost of the conference!

The rest of my days were great and connections I made/make are priceless. I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to attending more GPA conferences in the future.

Scholarship applications for the GPA 2020 Annual Conference will open soon. More information is available here.

GPA 2019 Annual Conference Scholarship Essay, By Diane Demarest

/by

I want to express my gratitude to the GPA Foundation for the honor of being selected as a Scholar and gifting me with a lovely medal and support to attend the conference!  Additionally, I left the conference with a string of pearls!

After 40+ years of writing grants, I’ve found that professional education can sometimes be a disappointment when the content is for beginners or presenters do their very best to include all levels.  But, I love learning and there is something I can learn every day.  So, when I invest my time in a training, a webinar or a conference, I consider it time well spent if I leave with one pearl of wisdom – one new idea, one new strategy, one new connection or even one new perspective.  This year I left the GPA conference with a whole string of pearls!!

Some of my conference pearls were sheer enjoyment – the Hamilton performance – Bravo! Bravo! – who needed theater tickets????   I haven’t seen it uploaded on the GPA site, but it is certainly worthy of an encore!  

Vu Le, there IS a lot of humor in the non-profit world and unlike winning grants (which makes us smile 😊), humor helps us do our job better because the number of mental connections between the information and emotional responses (laughter) are greater and help us retain new info! Thank you Vu for reminding all of us not to take ourselves and maybe the world too seriously!

Even before the conference kicked off it was super to meet with fellow chapter leaders. Great ideas, encouragement and a boost to go home and energize our members. Also, terrific to meet Shelly in person – thanks for all you do for us!

The pearls I picked up from sessions are creating a very long string, but here are just a few –

  • Build the credibility of your organization – great tips from Susan Schaeffer.  I’m a grant writer for an organization that has attracted a few ‘big fish’ funders but we’re working hard to catch others. Susan said aspirational funding is competitive not necessarily merit based– everyone who is a finalist has presented a great proposal, but what can make you stand out?   A great organizational resume – not just leader resumes.  
  • Were you ever stumped by indirect rates and process?  Karen Norris knew her topic inside and out. Did you know that if a federal agency limits the indirect to say 10% instead of your federally approved rate, it must be codified in law that the agency and program has the right to do that? I’ve never questioned an RFP, but it could be wrong.
  • The ‘Grant Consulting Models’ gave me some new insights into what grant writing as a freelancer in retirement might look like.  Should grant writers volunteer their time – or not?  Hearing from a successful group of grant business women expanded my thinking.
  • ‘Ignite the GPC Competencies’ – Wow.  Speed learning on steroids! Each speaker fit tons into 5 minutes. A great overview of the competencies that got my wheels turning and convinced me that getting my GPC is a goal for 2020.

Since this will be shared in a blog, how about bloggers Amanda and Kimberly from fundraising Hay Day!  I loved getting to know them and how they got started during Discussion Den – Lend Me Your Earbuds.  If you want to impress your young adult children, blog speak is it!  I love that they bring humor to our work (you might be sensing a theme here).  I’ll be plugging into Fundraising Hay Day on my treadmill!

I collected so many pearls but here is one for anyone going to next year’s conference in Denver.  Bring your mittens and sign up to volunteer some time during the conference. As a first-time conference goer, volunteering at the Welcome Desk for just a few hours helped me meet so many great folks up close and personal!   I left DC feeling very connected and I can’t wait to see you all next year in Denver!

Scholarship applications for the GPA 2020 Annual Conference will open soon. More information is available here.