Regional Conference Session Descriptions

 

The  2019 conference will be held on April 18, 2019

Conference Agenda

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM:

Registration, networking and continental breakfast.

The United Way Resource Library will also be open to all attendees during this time! “The United Way Resource Library can help you identify potential grant opportunities with the most comprehensive funder database available. The Foundation Directory Online contains nearly 100,000 U.S. foundations and corporate donors.”

9:00 AM – 9:10 AM: 

Welcome and announcements.

9:10 AM – 11:45 AM

KEYNOTE presenter: 

Kimberly Hays de Muga, GPC, Hays de Muga Consulting, Decatur, GA

 

9:10 – 10:15 AM: Learning to Love the “C” Word – Real World Stories of Collaboration

Join a lively discussion covering three mains kinds of collaboration featuring real-world examples. Be prepared to share your own good, bad and ugly experiences of the collaborative process–one of most requested actions from government and foundation funders.

10:25 – 11:30: Strange Bedfellows or “Dammit Jim, I’m a Grant Writer not a Bean Counter” – Bridging the Communication Gap Between Grant Developers and Finance

Whether you’re a recovering English major or a newly minted CPA, working to bridge the language and task gaps between grant developers and finance departments makes for stronger grant proposals that are more efficient to manage post-award. We’ll discuss everything from vocabulary and work styles and how to make this “work marriage” a success.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Lunch & Special Interest Topic Roundtables/Networking

 1:00 PM – 2:05 PM

TRACK 1: Federal Grants & Grants Management

Cynthia Drummond, MA, LPC-S, Lone Star College

“Preventing Grant Fraud: The Grant Writer’s Role in Fostering a Culture of Compliance”

Every year there are more and more cases of grant fraud. Effective grant management is important, but not enough. Grant risk prevention begins at the beginning of the grant writing process. This interactive session will examine how Grant Writers can assist the grant management process to reduce or eliminate grant risk factors; how Lone Star College is using grant-writing tools and common grant sections for risk prevention.

TRACK 2: Proposal Development

Ronnie Hagerty, Ph.D., United Way

“The New World of Philanthropy: Implications for Grant Writers”

Collective impact, systems thinking, program-related investments/PRIs, donor-advised funds – these are some of the terms at define grant making today. Preparing to write a grant takes on an entirely new dimension in assessing an organization’s fit for funding. This session is designed to explore the changing world of philanthropy and consider how grant writing is influenced by these changes.

TRACK 3: General Tools & Advice for the Profession

Allison Boyd, GPC, Boyd Grants, Panel Facilitator

Ever wonder how to use the tools in your tool belt effective-ly? Allison, Jo, and Tammy will walk through their favorite tools for grants management, research, writing, and project management. As an example, this session will be an in-person facilitation, along with a live webinar to show the value of online collaboration.

Panelists:

 2:15 PM – 3:20 PM

TRACK 1: Federal Grants & Grants Management

Zelia Brown, Houston Community College and Write on Target Consulting

“Remaining in Compliance by Preventing Risk”

“Remaining in Compliance by Preventing Risk”~ While established nonprofit organizations or 501(c)(3)’s are on the rise, grant funding from the federal government is on the decline. So how can nonprofits be competitive and remain successful with their deliverables? Zelia Brown will discuss topics on Grants Management and Compliance and becoming familiar with 2 CFR Section 200 Uniform Guidance (UG) so that you are proactive instead of reactive. Nonprofits will learn the importance of intra-departmental communication so that work on grant projects can remain efficient while reducing the risk of mismanaging funds; thus, improving relationships with funding sources.

TRACK 2: Proposal Development

Rosalind Dworkin, Ph.D., Retired, (Formerly, Harris County Dept. of Education)

“The Last Lap:  Writing an Evaluation Plan for Your Grant Proposal”

This session will present a strategy for writing evaluation sections for service delivery proposals. Topics include under-standing the RFP’s evaluation requirements; tying evaluation to program objectives; making methodological decisions based upon the program objectives; and engaging your evaluator.

TRACK 3: General Tools & Advice for  the Profession

Linda Beeman, MBA, CFRE/GPC, Aurora Grants and Consulting, Panel Facilitator

“Career Paths for Grant Writers”

Panelists from a variety industry backgrounds and development specialties will expose participants to a broad range of careers available to persons interested in working with grants and will share their expertise/experience regarding how to position oneself best for an exciting career in the profession.

3:30-3:45

Closing Remarks