Navigating State and Federal Grant Opportunities: A Guide for Nonprofits

Securing funding through state and federal grants can be a game-changer for nonprofit organizations, but the process can often feel daunting and complex. This interactive session will demystify the grant-seeking process, providing practical tools and strategies for identifying, applying for, and managing state and federal grants. Participants will learn how to establish relationships with governmental agencies, navigate online grant portals, and craft compelling proposals that align with agency priorities. Whether you’re new to grants or looking to refine your approach, this session equips you with the knowledge and confidence to pursue public funding effectively.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Identify key state and federal agencies that align with their organization’s mission and funding needs.
2. Navigate the tools and resources needed to search for grant opportunities, including government grant portals like Grants.gov.
3. Understand the essential components of state and federal grant applications, including proposal requirements, budgets, and compliance considerations.
4. Develop strategies to build relationships with grant officers and agency representatives to better understand their priorities.
5. Evaluate whether a grant opportunity is a good fit for their organization based on funding goals, eligibility requirements, and capacity to meet reporting obligations.
6. Create a plan to strengthen their nonprofit’s readiness for future grant applications by improving internal processes and documentation.

Cost: $25

Facilitator:

Liz Haney began her career in the world of grants in 2008 after having enjoyed success as a published research scientist. Liz has experience throughout the life cycle of sponsored projects, and she has worked at the University of Chicago, the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Middlebury College, and St. Lawrence University. Throughout, Liz has been entrusted with ever-increasing responsibilities, served in multiple leadership roles, and helped each institution to attain new levels of external funding.

In her current role as the Director of Post Award, Compliance, and Operations in Ball State University’s Sponsored Projects Administration office, Liz oversees a staff of ten that support everything that happens from the time of notification that a grant will be awarded until the completion and closeout of the project.