Special Invitation to Attend a Grant Writing Training

The National Minority AIDS Council is offering qualified faith- and community-based organizations (F/CBOs) the opportunity to participate in a special Grant Writing Training.

To participate, F/CBOs are to select a training option (and date, as necessary) and submit a grant writing training application form (see attached) via e-mail: Grantwritingtrainings@nmac.org or fax: (202) 483-5387.

Training applications for both options must be submitted by Thursday, August 20, 2009. You can download the application

Online registration will be available by 1:00 p.m., on Tuesday, August 18, 2009.

Please note: We are not accepting “call in” registrations.

Option #1: Grant Writers USA
Grant Writers USA’s 2-day training teaches beginners and seasoned grant writers tips on writing a successful grant. Highlights of the training include:

• The essential components of a grant proposal package
• How to customize a proposal to match a grant maker's interest
• How to initially approach a funder
• The differences between government and foundation proposals
• How to report on a grant's progress and impact
• How to develop working relationships with grant makers
• What to do if your proposal is denied (Don't give up!)
• The behind-the-scenes decisions that determine proposal acceptance and denial

Participants also will learn to:

• How to find and track relevant grant opportunities
• Where to find foundation grant programs that can help you accomplish your goals
• Where to find federal and state grant makers that meet your needs
• Where to find corporate giving programs whose giving goals match your funding needs
• How to stay on top of your targeted opportunities
• And much, much more . . .

All participants must commit to arriving one evening in advance, and attending the training from approximately 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. on each of the training days. This 2-day training will be available on the following dates and locations:

• September 3-4, Chicago, IL
• September 8-9, Atlanta, GA
• September 8-9, New York, NY

Option #2: Grantsmanship Center
The Grantsmanship Center’s 5-day training teaches participants how to write and compete for federal grants. Highlights of the training include:

• Leaving with the skills to develop proposals that will be competitive at the national level
• Understanding federal funding programs
• Interpreting application guidelines
• Assessing, realistically, whether it makes sense to enter a particular competition
• Assembling a work plan for proposal development
• Developing effective, well-documented arguments
• Assembling proposals that follow guidelines and respond to a funder’s requirements
• Writing a grant proposal from start to finish
• Locating and tracking relevant grant opportunities (covering federal, state, local and non-governmental, private sector grants)

The trainers will use recent application guidelines and funded proposals for presentations, classroom discussion, and hands-on activities. This 5-day training will be offered only ONCE on September 14-18, in Oakland, CA.

All participants must commit to arriving one day in advance and attending the entire 5-day training. Sessions will last as follows:

• 8:30 a.m. - 5 :00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
• 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday
• 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Friday

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Our invitation to attend one of the above trainings is extended to all faith- and community-based organizations (F/CBOs) that meet the following criteria:

For the 2-day training offered by Grant Writers USA F/CBOs must:

• Target and/or serve critical target populations defined as at-risk including African Americans, Latinos, gay men, transgenders, youth, substance abusers, in particular IDUs, and incarcerated or formerly incarcerated populations, etc.
• Have people living with HIV or AIDS on their board and/or staff
• Provide services to populations that are underserved due to cultural differences, language, transportation, homelessness, etc.
• Be located in a city heavily impacted by HIV/AIDS
• Be involved in the grant writing process

For the 5-day training offered by the Grantsmanship Center, F/CBOs must:

• Have an annual budget of one million dollars or less
• Target and/or serve critical target populations defined as at-risk including African Americans, Latinos, gay men, transgenders, youth, substance abusers, in particular IDUs, and incarcerated or formerly incarcerated populations, etc.
• Have people living with HIV/AIDS on their board and/or staff
• Provide services to populations with lack of major services and/or access to major services (targeting/working with underserved populations due to cultural differences, language, transportation, homelessness, etc.)
• Be located in a city heavily impacted by HIV/AIDS
• Be involved in the grant writing process
• Have a proposal “in hand”
• Bring a laptop with wireless capability to the training

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

How much do I have to pay?
NMAC’s Capacity Building Assistance services are at no charge to you. Expenses and allowances for training venues and travel will be provided on a limited basis and according to eligibility criteria that will be applied to the review of registration forms received by the deadline.

How many staff people from a F/CBO can attend a training?
Only one participant per organization will be eligible attend.

Who should attend these trainings?
These trainings would be most beneficial to the individual in your organization that will be writing proposals.

What is the deadline for registration?
The deadline to submit a training application form is Thursday, August 20, 2009. To apply, complete and return the Grant Writing Training application form to:

• E-mail: Grantwritingtrainings@nmac.org
• Fax: (202) 483-5387
• Online registration will be available Tuesday, August 18

Are you accepting telephone registrations?
We are not accepting telephone registrations. A completed application form is required for official registration.