Community Foundation Announces Free Grant-Writing Workshop
The Outer Banks Community Foundation and the NC Center for Nonprofits announce a free grant-writing workshop for local nonprofits. The course will be held on Friday, March 20 from 8:30 am until 4:00 pm at the UNC Coastal Studies Institute in Wanchese.
Entitled “From Great Idea to Winning Proposal: How to Find and Attain Grant Funds for Your Nonprofit,” the workshop will be led by Melissa Le Roy, a nonprofit consultant and instructor from Saluda, North Carolina.
“Melissa is back by popular demand!” said Lorelei Costa, Executive Director of the Community Foundation. “Grant-writing is always our most requested training topic, and Melissa got rave reviews two years ago after leading a similar workshop with us. So we knew we had to bring her back.”
Le Roy’s presentation will focus on all of the essential elements of a winning grant proposal, from the cover letter and executive summary, to the goals, objectives, and budget. Participants will learn about the typical questions that funders consider, and the criteria they use when evaluating proposals. The workshop will cover the entire grants process, from the application to the financial statements to the final grant report.
“This year Melissa will focus especially on how to research and find prospective funders who might fit your nonprofit,” said Costa, “so we recommend this course even if you attended her session in 2013.”
Toward the end of the workshop, Costa will provide a special overview of the Community Foundation’s grants criteria, application, and final report process. She’ll answer all questions and offer essential tips for submitting a successful proposal.
“If you are thinking about applying to the Community Foundation this year, you should definitely attend this workshop,” said Costa.
Through her firm OnFire Nonprofit Consulting, and through Duke University’s Nonprofit Management Program, Le Roy teaches classes and helps nonprofits with fundraising, volunteer management, strategic planning, accounting, special events, marketing, social media, and more. Le Roy served as a board member of the NC Center for Nonprofits for six years, as executive director of the SC Chapter of the US Green Building Council, and as executive director of the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center. Le Roy has a master naturalist certificate from Clemson University and an advanced certificate in nonprofit leadership from Duke University.
The grant-writing workshop is free for any board or staff member representing an Outer Banks 501(c)3 nonprofit. Lunch is included, and a tour of the Coastal Studies Institute’s new LEED Gold facility will be offered. But space is limited, and advance registration is required by Monday, March 16.
For more information, download the course description and agenda.
UPDATE: Registration for this workshop is now closed. Please be sure to sign up for our e-newsletter so you can get early notice of future offerings.
