Getting Funded: Keys to Successful Grant Writing

Valerie F. Leonard
Published: December 3, 2015

Valerie F. Leonard, expert in community and organizational development provides an overview of the needs assessment.

The UIC Certificate in Nonprofit Management Program hosted Getting Funded: Keys to Successful Grant Writing. Over 30 people were in attendance, and they were guided through the entire process of writing a funding proposal within less than eight hours. The modes of instruction included lecture, case studies and presentations. Students prepared Power Point presentations and shared their final products at the end of the day. Noah Temaner Jenkins and Valerie F. Leonard were the instructors. Kate Pravera, Founder and Academic Director for the UIC Certificate in Nonprofit Management program, designed the workshop.

The lunchtime panel included Lynn Bergstrom, Principal with Toly Consultants; Catherine Painter, Executive Director of Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre and Alexandra Sossa, Executive Director of the Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project . They discussed their experiences with proposal writing, and shared lessons learned and things they wish they’d learned before “getting in the game”.

Student groups shared their proposals and solicited feedback.

Noah Jenkins

The book, Winning Grants Step by Step: The Complete Workbook for Planning, Developing and Writing Successful Proposals (4th Edition), by Tori O'Neal-McElrath, was provided as a bonus.

View more pictures of the event here.

Keywords: fundraising, Grant Writing, grants, Proposal Writing, UIC, UIC Certificate in Nonprofit Management, Valerie F. Leonard