Tag Archive for: GPA Annual Conference

GPA 2021 Annual Conference Scholarship Essay by Melissa Cammack

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I had the opportunity to attend the 2021 Annual Conference of the Grant Professionals Association (GPA) in November of this year through a scholarship I received from the Grant Professionals Foundation (GPF). The GPA conference not only renewed my passion for storytelling (aka grant writing) but also opened my eyes to a network of similarly driven professionals dedicated to supporting great causes across the United States.

I have worked in the grants field for over 14 years–most of this time has been at the local and state government level. Although I have written and managed numerous grants, they have primarily been to support the programs and services I directly oversaw at the time. As a result, I was already familiar with the funding organizations including their interests, grantmaking process and application requirements. I am now almost two years into a position with a non-profit where I support the funding needs of a wide range of hospital programs and services. While I am embedded in a department, I am not directly involved in the management or day-to-day activities of the work. The conference sessions on prospect research were invaluable to me for this reason. I learned critical skills and specific resources that are now integrated into my daily and weekly routine. Sessions on writing needs assessments and developing logic models are just as critical to future success as are learning about new funding opportunities early on and building relationships.

In addition to skill building sessions, I attended several related to personal development and burnout. Anyone who has ever written a grant knows just how much work is involved. The highs of receiving a “congratulations” are so high and the lows of “thank you, but…” can be downright devastating–not just to the grant writer’s ego but to the program and staff it was written to support. Networking opportunities, sessions related to grant strategy and self-awareness, and the overall sense of belonging to a tribe for the greater good helped to re-energize my focus. I am excited to participate in future GPA offerings and learn more about the Grant Professionals Certification over the coming year.

Finally, GPA did a great job recruiting speakers and organizing the conference for both in-person and online attendance. Although I participated virtually, it was one of the rare instances where I felt like I was participating in something and not just on the side looking in. Mike Chamberlain and Jess Pettitt were witty, engaging and funny from the moment they logged onto the computer for the online kickoff to their presence on the stage at the livestreamed closing session. GPF and GPA staff checked in frequently and made sure virtual attendance was never a hindrance. I am so appreciative of GPF for this opportunity. Thank you!

GPA 2021 Annual Conference Scholarship Essay by Miranda Herbert Morris

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This was my first GPA conference and the first public conference I attended in over two years thanks to COVID. Initially, I was a little nervous to join the convention in person due to the pandemic, but GPA (and the Hyatt Hotel) took all the right precautions to ensure everyone’s safety. These safety protocols eased my anxiety greatly and I honestly didn’t fret about COVID once while at the convention.  

It was an absolute JOY to be around so many like-minded professionals and I felt welcomed and included from the minute I arrived. As someone who sometimes struggles with social anxiety, I really enjoyed the casualness of the entire conference. I didn’t feel pressured to be “on” all the time; it allowed me to relax and absorb the information presented. I had some lovely chats during the luncheon meet-n-greets, so I hope GPA continues that format next year.  I found the workshops to be very helpful and the selection of workshops was extensive, with offerings from beginners to advanced. It was challenging to decide which sessions to attend each day, which is a great problem to have! I was very grateful to learn that all sessions were being recorded and that we could access them for up to one year after the event.  GPA hosted a hybrid workshop this year, which gave more people the chance to participate in the conference; another format I hope they continue in years to come.

Overall, I gained new and valuable skills from the workshops, but it was the opportunity to talk with others in my field (in person) that was truly the most rewarding take-away from the convention. I brought back a ton of new information to share with my team, as well as new friends to reach out to for grant-related support. I absolutely would not have had this opportunity without support from the Grant Professionals Foundation Conference Scholarship.

Value of attending and what it meant to me:

My story is probably like most that apply for the scholarship. I decided to apply, because I really wanted to attend the convention and my organization wasn’t budgeting for in-person conferences this year due to COVID. However, after receiving the scholarship, my organization chose to match the award by covering the rest of my travel expenses. I was overjoyed! That gift was a true surprise and only happened because supervisors saw my personal effort to advance my professional development by applying to the scholarship. Receiving the scholarship meant that my organization saw my determination to further my career and understood how important conference attendance meant to me. For the first time, I felt like a true grant professional and not a novice working in the field. The value I gained from conference attendance cannot be measured. The scholarship, the conference, my organization seeing me as an “expert” in my field, have all boosted my professional and personal confidence. This is the true gift. I am eager to continue this journey for many years to come.  

Impact of scholarship:

The impact of this experience has been huge. Receiving the scholarship meant I now had the opportunity to learn from like-minded professionals and form relationships with new mentors for future support. The experience gave opportunity to reflect on what I truly wanted out of my grant career. I found it exhilarating and encouraging to be part of a cohort of professionals, all driven by the same goal and objectives. Being able to join that cohort, confirmed my passion make a difference in my community through grantsmanship. I’ve recently increased participation in my local GPA chapter by taking on the position of Scholarship Committee Chair; a position they offered me after being awarded the GPF Conference Scholarship. It’s an honor to be asked to sit on the board for our local chapter and I’m eager to help others apply for this opportunity next year.

I am forever grateful to GPA, GPF, and our Southeast Texas GPA Chapter for walking alongside me as a new grant professional. I am entering the next phase of my professional life and it all began with the GPF Conference Scholarship.

GPA 2021 Annual Conference Scholarship Essay by Elizabeth Wilkinson

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I was delighted to receive the Arizona Founding Chapter Jerry Dillehay Conference Scholarship. Thank you to the Grant Professionals Foundation and my beloved Arizona Founding Chapter! I have been a GPA member for nearly 15 years, and I have attended many GPA conferences. The 2021 Seattle conference was especially sweet after the long isolation of the pandemic.

During the pandemic, I transitioned into consulting, and while it is gratifying, working alone can be isolating. Getting together with like-minded grant professionals was a wonderful treat. My focus in attending this conference was to learn about consulting best practices and build a personal network of independent consultants to draw upon for advice when issues arise. I also wanted to learn about consulting services other than grant writing to broaden my service to the community.

Here is a sampling of the workshops I attended:

  •  Mindset, Hiring and Mentorship – Insights and Tools for Scaling Your Consulting Business

This panel of presenters discussed their experiences scaling up their businesses.  They talked about the importance of focusing on a niche that highlights your expertise and passion. This focus will help you to find your ideal client and focus on the exact kind of work you’re most interested in doing.

  • Taking the Plunge ~ Transitioning from Grant Writer to Consultant

This session spoke to me as a new consultant. Scot Scala, GPC, discussed his experience starting a consulting business and offered tips to new consultants. He suggested that we each think about our strengths and only do what we love. The idea of only taking on projects and clients that resonate with you was eye-opening for me. We don’t have to chase the money; we need to be clear about our values and stay true to them.

  • Lead or Follow: The Delicate Dance Between Consultant and Client

Lisa McAloney and Lisa Stofan, GPC, discussed the importance of ensuring that you are a good match with your client. The fit could be based on mission, organizational structure, personality, skill, or goals—this idea built upon my previous learnings about doing what you love. If your skillset or personality fits the client, you will likely be more successful.

The theme of abundance – that there is enough work for everyone – was apparent in many of the workshops I attended. It was a wonderful message for me to hear since I am new to consulting. I am more determined than ever to follow this advice and only work with clients that are a good fit for me.

It was nice to see so many grant professionals in person again. I loved the option of having both virtual and in-person workshops. It never fails; there are always two workshops that I want to attend scheduled simultaneously, so it’s nice to be able to access the recordings at home.

Thank you to everyone that made this scholarship available to me!

GPA 2021 Annual Conference Scholarship Essay by Jacqui Ragin

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First I would like to thank my local Nevada chapter for allowing me to attend the GPA conference, through their scholarship program. This was my first time attending a GPA conference and I was extremely excited as I mentally prepared to attend this event in person. I had never been to Seattle and the conference agenda and location made it very appealing.  Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond my control, I was unable to travel to Seattle. I say that to say, I did have to mentally regroup and adjust my expectations for online attendance and participation. I had momentary flashbacks to my days as a college student taking classes online, which by the way I hated and did when absolutely necessary. I am definitely more of an in person attendee for events in general.

As many of you know, attending sessions for hours online has its pros and cons.  So I will start with the cons and will end with the good stuff. The biggest hurdle was technology, some issues were in my control and others not so much. All scholars were required to assist with the auction, however due to some tech problems we were unable to do so. We did get to meet to take a virtual photo of the group. One session that I wanted to watch after the conference ended jumped from slide 15 to 75, cutting out a significant chunk of the presentation. Additionally during the presentation we could not hear the question/s being asked, the presenter forgot people were online at times. The other downside of my experience was just not being a part of the group’s shared experience. Attending online for me is a solo event and there are certain things you miss by not being there live

Overall, I must say my experience was mostly positive. On the upside, I received my care pack, which was a great surprise. I was able to listen to sessions in the comfort of my home and truly focus on what was being presented. There were sessions that had some fantastic speakers, shout out to the mom and son duo Karen Cassidy and Andrew Goewert. Their Saturday presentation was packed with useful and practical information.  I really enjoyed their session. Another great feature of online and recordings is that you can go back and watch what you missed. I am still making my way through and catching up, but I hope to get to all the presentations I wanted to see but I missed.

Happy holidays!

Jacqui

GPA 2021 Annual Conference Scholarship Essay by Cynthia Wasco

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Receiving The Dr. Bev Browning/Dr. Bernard Turner African American Conference Scholarship from the Grant Professional Association Foundation to attend the 2021 Annual Conference (virtual), was an amazing experience! Without this scholarship, I would have not been able to attend due to cost. I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow with my fellow grant professionals. Thank you for a seamless virtual conference experience. 

I recently received my CFRE in October and was ready to attend a national conference to absorb even more from my sector. There were so many inciteful workshops that I either attended in real-time or saved to watch later. One of the workshops I truly appreciated was the, How’d You Find That Funder? workshop. Excellent tricks to thinking outside the box in search of new grant opportunities. Although the information was not new to me, The Perfect Marriage: Grants & Marketing, is a workshop that should be offered year over year. Social media is still a newer form of marketing for many professionals yet has been around now for quite some time. I have always been fascinated by how to make social media work to the nonprofit’s advantage, especially in advocacy work, and feel our nonprofit field, does not put enough time to truly understand its power. This was an excellent workshop of beginner information on how to get set up on social media and I would love to see a follow-up on now that you are set up, how to make it work for you! 


One of my favorite workshops was the personal development workshop called, Women in Leadership: Using Your Innate Abilities & Tendencies to Influence Change. I found this workshop to be perfect timing! It spoke about “Be Leader vs. Do Leader” and how some people are a leader by title and others are the “go-to” person by staff and are natural leaders by example.  This workshop resonated the most with me because, throughout my career, I have always felt like a “behind the scenes” leader; someone other staff members came to for advice or direction, without an official leadership title. It was inspiring and left me with tips and tricks to take into my day-to-day work. 

GPA 2021 Annual Conference Scholarship Essay by Lauren Welch

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Grant Professionals Foundation Scholar

This was the first year I have attended the Grant Professionals Association conference and is also my first year as a GPA local and national member. I have attended several professional conferences in the past.

I appreciated that there were options for people to go virtually and go in person. I am spending the Thanksgiving week to go back through and watch classes and download handouts for those online sessions I wanted to see – but there were several ones to go to in person and online, and I knew I could go back and watch online after the fact.

I volunteered at the GPF silent auction table. It was nice to get to know the team, their goals and how grant professionals could support the work the team does, which was nice to understand. Our San Diego Chapter of GPA was also able to get together for dinner Thursday night and most of us had never met in person.

I believe some of the best experiences at the conference was the time networking with others during sessions and during meal times, getting to hear that you are not alone, other people go through the same struggles and how they address some of those needs.

I suggested in the after conference survey, it might be a really great idea to get groups of people together by the type of work they do – like a DOJ networking group, USDA grants etc. – not a workshop, but a time to network and share with each other.  The support from others is invaluable.

The biggest challenge in any conference is how to take all the information in to use it in your work. I find it challenging because work still has to be done, grants still have to be written while you also go to a conference all day and learn new tools – it is very overwhelming. There is really no fix for this or way to make it not so overwhelming. How do you ever get to the work, changing things or utilizing resources to do a better job at your job?

One of my favorite workshops was on the Lean Six Sigma process for grants. This is an incredible idea for our team at my place of employment and would really be beneficial but I have the same concern as others – everyone at everyone’s place of employment is so overwhelmed with their current workload, a new process is something else to learn and no one has the time for that. Regardless of the fact that it would support, make things easier and allow for increased effectiveness, now, there is no time to learn something new. This was the thought of many things learned at the conference, how do you get your team on board to implement something new? I also know this is not specific to my organization, but similar to everyone.

One reason I applied for a scholarship was, especially during the time of COVID, that funds are so limited to ask for professional development funds at this time. Regardless of COVID, I felt the conference cost was expensive. If not for the scholarship, I would have been looking at around $2,000 for costs for the conference, which is hard to ask for. In the future, if the cost stays the same, I might look at a virtual option instead – which I hope will continue to be an option even when COVID is over.

GPA 2020 Annual Conference Scholarship Essay, by Jenna Trisko

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Grant Professionals Foundation Scholarship

I was one of the very fortunate recipients of a scholarship to attend the 2020 virtual Grant Professionals Association Conference. This was my first experience taking part in this conference and actually my first ever experience attending a conference completely dedicated to all things grants.

I have been in the grants world for the past 14 years and have worked in all aspects of the process from project development and proposal submission to post-award administration. What has kept me completely immersed in this world is that every day is different- every application, and project or program funded, is so unique from the one before it. Compliance issues change, programs are modified to make a greater impact, and new RFPs are launched to address pressing current societal needs and issues. Plus, let’s face it- grants change lives, communities, and systems. Grants are powerful catalysts for change and this idea motivates me everyday to act. Us grant professionals can be a part of changing the world for the better- what an exceptional field we work in!

The opportunity to participate in last year’s conference allowed me to see where my strengths and weaknesses are in the field and how I need to invest in my professional development efforts to continue to improve my job performance. I attended several sessions that addressed the importance of serving as a proposal reviewer. I have already reached out to several foundations as well as state and federal agencies to request to participate in the next grant proposal review panel. Many of the agencies were quick to welcome me to the task, and I look forward to learning a lot as I begin the review process. I also want to mention that I think it is important to review proposals in fields that you may be less familiar with. I have written grants in areas such as health; animal welfare; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and education. I found that my state’s department of revenue was seeking reviewers for some of their tax preparation grants and this is both an agency I have not submitted to in the past or a program area I am skilled in- the perfect opportunity for a rapid learning curve.

Additionally, one of the conference sessions highlighted strategies to promote efficiency in grants offices. This session spoke to me, as the post-secondary institution I am currently working for, has a small grant team that is in the process of formalizing some internal processes to help the office run more proficiently. A few of the suggestions from the session I implemented in our office right away. We now have a general email account set up so my colleague and I can receive updates from funders simultaneously, and it also helps us stay on top of important emails when one of us is out of the office. We also created a grant log spreadsheet that allows us to track each application and secured grant from the start of the proposal process to the closeout of the grant project. Finally, we are in process of fine-tuning some of our grant policies and protocols and creating succession planning documents for a smoother transition when staff are added or leave the institution. These simple changes have led our little grants office to begin the strategic planning process to progressively expand into a full-fledged sponsored programs office in the years to come.

Another session that really stuck out to me was on seeking out publication opportunities through the Grant Professionals Association. As with many of us grant nerds, I love to write and fancy empirical research that helps to support our profession. I already have several articles I would like to submit this year for publication. It is an excellent professional development opportunity no matter where you are in your grants career, and you are able to share insight and expertise on a particular topic with your colleagues. It is often thought that those in the grants world should not or do not communicate with each other- we are all fighting for the same funding sources so we should keep to ourselves and not share any secrets. This is such a silly suggestion, as we need to bolster the great people and work taking place in our profession. We need to continue to share knowledge, ideas, and simply serve as a support and mentor to each other. I look forward to submitting an article or two in the coming months and hope this submission process will serve as a networking tool to connect with other grant professionals.

Beyond the sessions, I really appreciated the vast diversity of vendors and exhibitors that were available to review. With the advent of the pandemic, my passion as a lifelong learner has taken a dramatic upswing. I just want to engross myself in educational opportunities whenever possible, and I really focused on those vendors that offered trainings in federal compliance, procurement, audits, etc. My current position is focused more on the pre-award side, and many of the post-award compliance and reporting requirements I have less exposure to. I am really hoping to further my education in these areas with the assistance of several of the exhibitors that I learned about through the conference.

I do also want to say that I so appreciated the diversity of attendees. I was amazed by the number of attendees from all over the country and the breadth of knowledge and experience from a variety of different fields. It was really humbling to hear the positive comments in each session. I felt like the GPA attendees are a team of like-minded, passionate individuals who want to move the profession forward. I just felt truly welcomed and not an outsider. The entire conference was an energizing experience that I look forward to participating in again.

Overall, the conference in this new virtual world was well-executed, and although there were a few technical issues along the way, it was a great space for learning. In fact, I really hope the virtual component continues to be offered for both the conference and the Grant Professionals Certification. Outside of the pandemic, these remote opportunities create accessibility for those with mobility issues or other disabilities, those who have financial barriers, or those who simply prefer to take part in activities from the comfort of their homes. The only downside that I struggled with from a virtual standpoint, is it is not as easy to generate conversation with those around you and so the opportunity to network requires more skill and creativity to achieve. I am not sure if this is possible but I wonder if in this year’s conference attendees can list their areas of expertise (e.g., compliance, procurement, proposal development, post-award, etc.), fields in which they have experience (e.g., arts, mental health, K-12, higher education, medical, etc.), and maybe their geographic region. If there was a page on the site where this information is posted and a link to connect with various attendees, it may make it easier for other attendees to comfortably reach out and converse with one another. I am not sure what is feasible, but I would love to see some strategies in future conferences (if virtual) to assist in attendees making connections with other attendees.

My hope for future conferences is to have the opportunity to present on a unique and engaging topic. I have already been letting the creative juices flow, making notes on various ideas. I hope to be able to pitch a compelling presentation proposal for the 2022 conference.

This experience has also fueled an interest in completing my GPA certification and possibly starting a chapter in my area. Through this chapter development, I look forward to meeting other grant professionals in my region and learning from and supporting each other. This conference also provided me with the little nudge I needed to explore launching my own part-time grant consulting business. I have always wanted to share my knowledge and passion in a consulting capacity, but I will admit that I am scared to take the leap. I want to be a supportive and guiding resource for non-profits, but I simply don’t know where to begin. Attending a few of the sessions on grant consulting, helped me realize that I am certainly not alone in my hesitations about moving forward with this business venture, but I also appreciated that the presenters were willing to provide support to newcomer consultants even after the conference ended. I feel like I have some resources to help me along once I am ready to take on my own business. Even saying the words, “my own business” feels uplifting and empowering. 

My sincerest appreciation to all those who were part of helping me to secure this scholarship to attend the 2020 Grant Professionals Association conference. It was an absolute pleasure that has fueled my energy and passion to do more in this field and participate more actively with GPA going forward.

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

GPA 2020 Annual Conference Scholarship Essay, by Sara Wagner

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Arizona Founding Chapter Jerry Dillehay Scholarship

I was honored to receive a scholarship to attend the annual GPA conference. Since it was my sixth conference, I was fully aware of its value. When I became a GPA member in 2012, my employer always sent me (being a county employee, I attended three conferences this way, focusing upon all-things-government); then, in 2016, I ventured out on my own as a consultant. I didn’t attend that transitional year but returned (paying my own way) the next two years. I again missed the conference in 2019 and felt it was time to reconnect.

While I was initially apprehensive about a virtual conference, I was pleasantly surprised! There were countless silver linings to this format, the best being that we no longer had to agonize over which breakout sessions to attend (since one can now participate in ALL of them!). Having access to every session (including handouts, in context) for an entire year is an incredible bonus. I was impressed by how smoothly things went. Meaningful interpersonal connections were also a highlight­­. In these ways, the format alone (it was my first virtual conference) taught me a lot.

Making these kinds of opportunities available to grant professionals from all walks of life (including income brackets) is a wonderful thing to do. The scholarship’s value is hard to quantify. Interacting with peers helps one to affirm what s/he already knows, as well as points to skills one can work on. This particular conference left me eager to continue refining my craft––underscoring the importance of networking. Colleagues I met in sessions/exhibit breaks/lunches reached out on LinkedIn, too. GPA conferences connect us to those who not only understand us, but lift us up and energize us to continue on this path.

The biggest conference takeaway for me was to “only do what you love” (said so genuinely in a session I attended). Seeing the enthusiasm of other consultants spilling over made we wonder why I wasn’t as effusive as they were…soon afterward, I asked myself what my favorite part of my own work is. I wanted to weave more fun into grant projects.

I reflected upon aspects of my consulting practice I could let go of, what I could breathe life into, and how I could more clearly connect my passion with my work. I wanted to be more like these peers I so admired. With this newfound clarity, I was amazed by how easy it was to sit down one morning and succinctly convey (on my website) what I offer, and why (I’m still riding this wave, in creating new/improved materials for new clients, and so much more!).

Most importantly, the 2020 conference has inspired me to give back. I began spearheading the establishment of a new GPA chapter, one that will connect a rural/frontier half of my state with these vital resources that we have all found so valuable. In January 2021, I began serving as the Governance Committee Chair. Neither of these roles was even on my radar a year ago! Something clicked for me at our recent GPA conference, wherein I had a new desire to contribute to my current field (professionally, I tended to volunteer within my original realm of public health). Now I am seeing GPA––those who run it, those who belong to it, and especially those we have the potential to reach––with new eyes.

The generosity of those who contributed to my conference scholarship makes me want to do my part, to ensure we continue building this reliable, altruistic community. So THANK YOU––I really appreciated that scholarship, made possible by the Grant Professionals Foundation, Arizona Founding Chapter, and untold others. I am excited to see what manifests, as I continue sharing what I learned. As a result of attending the recent conference, I feel more confident asserting myself as a quasi-expert, after sharpening my skills amidst women and men who are truly committed to a standard of excellence that none of us could achieve alone.

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

GPA 2020 Annual Conference Scholarship Essay, by Lynda Weigel-Firor

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Arizona Southern Chapter Conference Scholarship

When I found out the 2020 GPA Annual Conference was going to be held virtually, I was thrilled because it would possibly give me the opportunity to participate for the first time. However, funds were an issue as I work less than part-time as an independent grant-writer and consultant to care for my special needs’ daughter. I am so grateful to GPA for selecting me to receive a conference scholarship that allowed me the opportunity to hone my skills and learn from other grant professionals.

Working as an independent contractor can be very isolating and I often feel like I am working in a vacuum. It does not allow the opportunity to easily confer with colleagues. I have three main clients who, while they have different missions and needs, are sometimes eligible for the same funding opportunity. It is a challenge at times to write creatively for each when answering the same questions three times over. I registered for the conference with the expectation that I would gain fresh perspective, renewed insight, and practical skills that I could use immediately to help my clients realize their grant goals. I also longed for an influx of energy from others who understand the challenges of being a grant professional.

However, could this all happen in a virtual conference? Could GPA, or any organization for that matter, possibly pull off an interesting, interactive conference that would keep one engaged for not one, but three days? I am a veteran of other conferences including the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the YWCA Leadership Conference, and several conferences hosted by the University of Arizona, and have come to anticipate a level of excitement, engagement, and networking that I thought could only happen on site.

Well, all I can say is congratulations to GPA for hosting an extremely well-run, interesting, thought provoking conference that provided ample opportunity for attendees to network. And if that were not enough to celebrate, attendees also received a swag bag that contained a door hanger that says “Amazing Grant Professional at Work: Please do not Disturb (cool, right?)  and the most amazing caramels I have ever had in my life. Thank you for introducing me to Bequet Caramels!

Each morning attendees were greeted by opening remarks from Jess Pettitt. If you do not know who this ball of energy is, do yourself a favor and look her up. She clearly did her homework to understand her audience and was delightful while also delivering poignant and relevant messages.

 For me, one of the most difficult conference tasks is to create a personal agenda when there are too many interesting sessions to choose from. As a seasoned professional with 25 years of experience, I was a bit apprehensive at first that the sessions would overwhelmingly be geared towards those who are new to grant writing or have just a few years under their belt. However, the conference offered an ample selection of sessions for those more advanced in their careers. I was humbled by how much I gained from these sessions. The level of expertise and excellence of the presenters was impressive, and I walked away with new strategies confident that I had learned from the best of the best.

As an added, and surprising bonus, was the selection of sessions that were for the early and mid-career professionals that caught my interest. For example, I sat in on Make it “Worth 1000 Words”: Maximizing Effectiveness of your Graphics and Tables which was geared for those early in their career. Knowing that I have a deficit in this area I added this to my agenda.

Amanda Paveglio took participants step by step through the process of creating graphics and tables that were interesting to read and relevant for the information being relayed. Many participants learned for the first time, including me, how to attach or link them to online applications and other hacks that while simple enough to execute could take some time to figure out on your own. While Amanda did an amazing job with her presentation, participants would need time to practice the techniques taught. GPA in their wisdom has allowed access to all the presentations for a full year after the conference. Thank you, GPA, for that added benefit. It is like winning the grant lottery!

Having a year of access to the presentations also alleviated some of the pressure of choosing which sessions to attend knowing that I could view what I missed later. It also allows, as I alluded to previously, the opportunity to watch some of the sessions over again.

Another excellent presentation was Marginalized Communities Need Data Too: How to Get it? What to do When You Don’t Have It? by Michelle Molina and K. Scott Nelson. I confess I am not an enthusiastic researcher, due in part to many of the challenges that Michelle and K. Scott brought up in their presentation, such as finding data that you know would support your case but is simply not available or is difficult to find. I was so impressed with this presentation that as a board member of the Southern Arizona GPA Chapter I hired them to present to our membership a month later.

When I wrote my scholarship application, I mentioned specifically that I hoped there would be a session on answering the sustainability question.  Grants4Good provided an excellent session that addressed this sticky question. Content provided a fresh perspective on how to break down this question by defining it and de-constructing it and was a great reminder about the importance of being clear and concise in your answer. To me, this provided some excellent materials that will help me with clients who have a hard time articulating a good answer to this question.

Each day there were lunch break-out sessions on different topics. This allowed the opportunity to network informally while discussing topics that were of mutual interest.

In every aspect of the conference, it was evident that GPA was meticulous in their planning and selected topics that were relevant for the times. COVID has changed the landscape of the grant world and attention was paid to this topic.

Every one of the professionals I encountered during the conference were gracious in sharing their ideas and were willing to help others. The congeniality and energy were just what was needed during these unprecedented times when we are so isolated from each other.

Thank you again for the opportunity to participate. I deeply appreciate GPA staff and board and the care they took in creating this conference.

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

GPA 2020 Annual Conference Scholarship Essay, by Molly Peterson

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Arizona Founding Chapter Jerry Dillehay Scholarship

In our lives, we all experience numerous firsts. Our first steps, first kiss, first job, first time eating (and possibly abhorring) sushi. Some we reflect on for years to come, and some pass the very moment with little significance, never stamping our memory with the lasting mark of a new experience. I have had a number of the latter. Though, November 4th was a momentous beginning. Not only for our country as we began our journey through an unprecedented election process, but for my career. This year, I attended my first Grant Professionals Conference.

I first entered the grant writing industry because of a sincere fascination with grant writers as people. The wide range of expertise, personal history, and passion in the grants industry inspires me to appreciate the various colors of grant writers that paint different strengths, united towards a shared goal of kindling positive change. The richness of depth in the grant industry represents one of the most stirring reasons why my first Grant Professionals Conference provided lasting value to me.

At Prevent Child Abuse Arizona, I am the only individual with grant writing expertise. When I first began with the organization at the ripe age of 22, my assignment as an AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America included transferring grant writing from the professional hands of a contracted grant writer into the shaking yet willing hands of a new college graduate. In undertaking this responsibility, I virtually attended many webinars since workshops were not readily available in my rural corner of Arizona (insert my well-versed needs assessment for rural Arizona). These virtual webinars did not instill the same feeling of community as I had hoped. Where were the captivating individuals who inspired me to join them in a career of grant writing?

I often felt alone as I pioneered a grant process that was foreign to both my team and me. Before the Grant Professional Conference, I struggled to feel confident and resilient in the COVID urgency and new remote working environments. Shortly after the beginning of the state-mandated quarantine, I was on the precipice of my largest grant request yet: $1,192,655.00. To prepare the grant application for this federal RFGA, I was responsible for managing input from four other program staff and organization leaders in the new virtual realm. I scheduled twice-weekly meetings with the program manager to stay on track and communicate progress, but I still felt alone tackling such a massive grant. Though, that feeling would not compare to the loneliness I felt when I received news from the grantor. The grantor funded the project, though they had significantly fewer funds to distribute; thus, they cut funding for my application’s less justified areas. The program manager was devastated (rightly so, as she cares passionately about the cause she serves) and channeled her disappointment towards me. Working alone in my home, I struggled to manage my frustration as I contemplated how weeks of unseen hard work made me vulnerable to blame from my colleague.

Entering the Grant Professionals Conference only a couple of months later, I felt misunderstood, underappreciated, and alone. In the first half-day of the conference, I was overwhelmed by the opposite: understanding, appreciativeness, and community. I did not realize how alone I was until the recent Grant Professional Conference illuminated a crowd of comrades gathered within reach of my self-contained isolation. In workshops and discussions, grant peers described the veil between grant writers and program managers. How often, program managers and staff misunderstand the role of the grant writer. Who has been asked to write a grant for a vaguely conceptualized program, thus necessitating that the grant writer also generate the program and evaluation plans? Who has written for fourteen hours straight, unbeknownst to their team members? In openly answering these questions, my heart signed in relief: these are my people.

The daily and casual lunch meetings became one of my favorite ways to connect with “my people.” I connected more personally with other attendees outside of the formal constructs of workshops. Honestly, I was not sure that these sorts of opportunities would be available at a virtual conference. It was here that I shared some of my struggles concerning grant management. Several experienced grant writers shared what I needed most: empathy. Of course, they offered their advice, but they also provided their understanding and reaffirmed my value as a grant writer. When I first began my role, my organization wanted to bring grant writing in-house but did not realize what it took to do that. I had to convince the program managers that I was worth their time when discussing program details for the application. Thus, I created a Grant Procedures Manual that outlined each individuals’ roles, communication preferences, and expectations. I hosted several organization-wide meetings to build buy-in and understanding. Though, I often found myself sacrificing my own needs to ensure that the program manager would provide what I needed: “You need a 48-hour editing window to review the grant? Oh, and you, too? Sure, I can do that.” I found myself sacrificing a substantial chunk of the grant window to provide each of the three editors with a 48-hour window to edit before submission. The grant was entirely out of my hands for six days before the deadline. When I shared this with my lunch group, several grant writers provided their recommendations and contact information and assured me that I could reach out any time.

They also encouraged me to attend a specific workshop: Tips for Surviving a Group Grants Process by Andrea Hoffman. Hoffman’s workshop was my favorite of the entire conference. She spoke to individuals like me: grant managers who balance many other roles within an organization. I felt seen amidst a sea of experienced grant consultants. I had to stand while I watched because I was so excited listening to Andrea’s solutions for managing a team grant process. I only wish I had attended her session sooner to spare my mistakes.

While mistakes are critical to the learning process, so is community. In my young years as a grant writer, I boast a youthful enthusiasm for the field. I love writing grants. Each application feels like a puzzle. I often feel daunted when the pieces spill out of the box, but each click of a piece feeds my motivation to track down the next piece of missing information. I have channeled that energy in moving forward, even if I have stumbled along the way. I have pulled myself out of the trenches and tried again. But the Grant Professionals Conference showed me that there are hands to help me up and point me in another direction that I had not considered. I will continue to stumble, but I have faith in knowing I am at least headed in the most efficient direction to help me reach my goals. The Grant Professionals Conference provides a golden path that does not necessarily help us reach our goals more easily but more quickly. I have full faith in knowing that, despite networking amongst those who could be considered competitors, the entire Grant Professionals Conference wants you to succeed.

The Grant Professionals Conference was my foray into the greater Grant Professionals Association. I found the Grant Professionals Conference while looking for opportunities to learn a more holistic approach to grant management, but I found I appreciated the community even more. Now, I am a few months into participating in my local Arizona Founding Chapter, and I am helping bring a new chapter, the Northern Arizona Chapter, into existence. Within these smaller groups, I feel the same understanding, empathy, and support as I felt at the conference. Now, I do not feel so alone. November 4th has become sentimental to me for many reasons, which will motivate me to return year after year. I hope to continue to forge bonds that will help to forge my career, also. Someday, years from now, I hope to return to the Grant Professionals Conference and find an opportunity to help a green new grant writer like I was in 2020.

Thank you, Grant Professionals Association, for helping lift me out of the darkness of solidarity. You provided the warmth and hope that I so desperately needed while navigating the challenges of 2020. You restored my confidence in myself and my future. By helping me, you have also ignited a spark for me to give back to my grant writing community. You have stamped my memory deeply, for which I will refer back to with admiration throughout my career. Thank you.

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