Finding Funding

On Thursday, July 22, you're invited to attend "Finding Funding - An Overview of the Grant Seeking and Grant Writing Process" workshop. It will be held in the Conference Room at Ridgewater College in Willmar. Sponsors include Willmar Area Community Foundation, Southwest Initiative Foundation and Bremer Bank. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and the workshop runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $59. There are still some spots available and we're hoping to fill up this workshop.

The target audience is those who are looking to increase their skills & knowledge of finding appropriate funders and writing good proposals, as well as those who have some experience in grantwriting, but appreciate local/regional opportunities like this workshop to keep in touch with the latest trends & tips.

Representatives from the Willmar Area Community Foundation, SW Initiative Foundation and Otto Bremer Foundation are looking forward to meeting you on the afternoon funders panel. You'll gain insight into how each funder's proposal review and decision-making processes work; what their funding priorities are; and how to make your best case for a grant. And get your questions answered too, either during the panel Q&A, or after while visiting with the panelists.

We all know it's competitive out there in trying to land a grant award for your organization. Those who get funded don't do it by accident. Here's an opportunity to invest time in learning and growing, as well as meeting local/regional funders who provide thousands of dollars in grants to nonprofits in southwest and west central Minnesota.

Register online at www.communitygiving.org. Click on "register for events" and select Finding Funding Workshop from the drop-down menu. Please contact Susan Lorenz at slorenz@communitygiving.org or 320-253-4380 x732 with questions.

Lois Schmidt, NRS, Willmar

New United Way Funding Model

The new United Way Funding Model focuses on targeted issues as they relate to the building blocks for a good life, education income and health. From that category they focus on what is specific to each individual community and are asking agencies for help in solving the issues.

Here is what we are facing in the Greater Grand Forks Area:

EDUCATION
I. Productive and engaged youth major concerns in the area are:
Youth engaged in risky behavior that interferes with learning
Drug and alcohol abuse among our youth
Bullying behavior

II. Healthy Relationships
Major Concerns:
Families not practicing good parenting skills
Abusive family environment and lack of positive role models

INCOME
I. Achieve greater financial stability and growth
Major Concerns:
Individual not having enough money and resources to met basic needs
Individuals who are unable to increase their job skills due to affordability

II. Building savings and gaining assets
Major Concerns:
Lower income families not having any savings or emergency funds
Lower income families that re not able to build appreciating assets

HEALTH
I. Promoting a healthy lifestyle
Major Concerns:
Family or elder abuse
Substance abuse: binge drinking, alcohol, drug abuse and smoking
Obesity in children and adults
Teenage pregnancy
Mental health wellness

II. The uninsured or under-insured
Major Concerns:
The high number of uninsured or under-insured families/individuals in our community, especially for vision and dental care
The high cost of prescription drugs for families and senior

III. Children not getting at least one healthy meal a day, especially during the summer months when they are out of school
Nutritious meals for all

By identifying these specific issues and looking at the underlying causes, nonprofits can be more proactive and make a greater impact on issues we face in our community.

Posted by Kelly Greenlees, NRS, Grand Forks