UHV Library to host workshop on finding, applying for grants
Victoria-area nonprofit organizations will have the opportunity to learn where to look for grants and find out tips about how to apply for funding thanks to a training session offered by the University of Houston-Victoria Library.
“Grant Funding Workshop: Find Funders and Write Successful Grants” will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 26 in Room 215 of UHV University Center, 3007 N. Ben Wilson St. The all-day workshop will be taught by Kristal Johnson, creator of the Assertive Ask fundraising system and owner of FundJoy LLC. Registration for the training costs $50, and lunch and a light breakfast will be provided.
“Nonprofit organizations are important parts of the Victoria and Crossroads communities,” said Joe Dahlstrom, UHV Library senior director. “They provide so much – affordable housing, assistance for the homeless, educational opportunities and events, community engagement and literacy promotion. The UHV Library is glad to offer these organizations tools to improve their chances of bringing in more funds through grant applications.”
The UHV Library strives to provide support to the area nonprofit community. The library is a Funding Information Network affiliate of Foundation Center by Candid, which has a mission of strengthening the nonprofit sector by advancing knowledge about U.S. philanthropy.
“Grants are important resources for nonprofit organizations,” said Jaena Manson, UHV instruction and outreach librarian. “As grants become more instrumental in helping fund the work of community nonprofits, grant-writing skills are increasingly important. However, it can be a challenge to find training resources to develop those skills.”
When the library offered the workshop last year, attendees spent a half day learning about a database and other resources to locate available grant funds. However, attendees also expressed interest in learning grant-writing tips and best practices, Manson said.
In response to that feedback, the library will spend the first half of the training focusing on how to find grant resources, including how to determine which grants are best for specific organizations, and the difference between public and private grants. Then, during the second half, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about effective grant writing.
“One of the major advantages of bringing Kristal in to do the training is that local nonprofit leaders can benefit from her experience and knowledge,” Manson said. “She has firsthand knowledge of the grant community and what makes an effective application request.”
Johnson is an international speaker, corporate trainer and author who has coached individuals across North America, Europe and Africa to collectively raise $200 million during the past decade from funders and individual donors. Johnson also is a long-standing member of the Grant Professionals Association and Nonprofit Technology Network, and serves as a grant reviewer for federal agencies and the United Way of Greater Houston.
Attendees should register by July 23 through UHVconnect.org under the “Events” tab. For more information, contact Manson at mansonj@uhv.edu.
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 80 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.
