Writing Standout Grants to Advance Your Mission and Meet Community Need

Dates: Tuesdays, February 17 and 24

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (two 6-hour sessions with working lunch)

Location: NICNE CollabLab at NIU Rockford (8500 E State St, Rockford, IL 61108)

Cost: $275 NICNE Members. $325 General Admission.

Concessions: Coffee and boxed lunches from Mary's Market will be provided. Indicate dietary restrictions and preferences during the checkout process.

Details: Grants are critical for most organizations to thrive and achieve their missions. Grant writing is also highly competitive. To succeed, writers must craft compelling proposals that not only engage funders but adhere to their strict guidelines. Poor proposals can impact outcomes, sustainability, and long-term relationships with funders.

Join NICNE trainers Dr. Lynn Gibson and Dr. Kim Suedbeck for a FUN and engaging two-part workshop designed to help you craft high-quality, standout grant proposals.

With more than 20 years of experience in writing and reviewing federal, state, and foundation grants, Dr. Gibson and Dr. Suedbeck are both experienced and highly sought-after national grant writers and trainers.

In this workshop, you'll gain valuable skills to:

• Write persuasive proposals that resonate with funders.
• Navigate key tools to identify new funding opportunities.
• Foster and plan for collaboration in grant-funded projects.
• Create budgets and define measurable outcomes.
• Integrate critical storytelling techniques to enhance proposal impact.
• Cultivate and nurture long-term relationships with funders.
• Create strategies for smooth and timely grant submissions and reporting.
• Effectively track and manage awarded funds.
• Ensure compliance with funder requirements.

Participants will receive a comprehensive toolkit featuring sample forms, policies, templates, and best practices and additional resources, equipping you with the tools you need to submit strong proposals and increase your chances of success.

In addition, the facilitators will provide personalized feedback during the writing-intensive session. If you already have a grant opportunity in mind, this will give you the chance to receive targeted guidance on your proposals directly from the experts.

Intended Audience: This workshop is intended for beginner and intermediate grant writers, as well as seasoned grant writers looking for new strategies and answers to specific questions. Come on your own or bring your grant management team!

What you'll need: A laptop is not required, but most attendees bring laptops to work on grant applications or to receive feedback from the facilitators. If you need a laptop, a select number are available for loan on a first-come, first-served basis. Email Billie to enquire. Rockford Public Library also has Chromebooks that can be checked out by cardholders.

About the facilitators:

Dr. Lynn Gibson is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Northern Illinois University and teaches educational leadership to aspiring superintendents. She has written federal, state, corporate, and foundation grants for more than 25 years and teaches grant writing classes nationally. She is trained in strategic planning, coaching, and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Lynn is a retired superintendent from the Northern Illinois area. She has published various articles in regional and national magazines and is currently publishing her first children’s book series with one of her six children.

Dr. Kim Suedbeck is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Northern Illinois University. Kim has been an educator since 1984; Her roots began as a Special Education teacher where she has had extensive experience with curriculum development and modification for students at every level of ability. Kim has been trained in strategic planning, coaching, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), and grant writing and uses her experience to develop regional and statewide partnerships to coordinate services for students and staff. In her spare time, she is a fine art photographer and loves telling a story through her photos.

About NICNE:

The Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence (NICNE) has been strengthening nonprofits since August 2004 by providing capacity building, training, technical assistance, resource support and initiative leadership to nonprofit organizations in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

NICNE believes in investing in people and organizations that make communities in our area safer, healthier, and more vibrant. We do so by providing training opportunities to help nonprofits successfully achieve their missions. As the region’s primary resource for nonprofit capacity and movement building, NICNE encourages collaboration and best practices that result in a strong, vibrant nonprofit sector to demonstrating significant social impact. NICNE's mission is to promote, model, and grow innovation, excellence and social impact.

Please email questions to COO Billie Callahan at bcallahan@niu.edu or call 815.753.8793. Learn more about NICNE at www.niu.edu/nicne.