How did you get into the Grants Profession? I was working as a facilities manager of a local arts incubator and was asked to write a short grant. It was funded! My next job was full-time grants management.

What’s your favorite piece of advice that you have received? There will always be more work to be done. (Both in the sense that you can always do more and as an excuse to take a break when you're overwhelmed.)

Where can we find you when you’re not writing grants? Dabbling in the nerdy arts.

Please tell us something about yourself we did we not know we should ask about.

I am a non-practicing actor/singer.

What career advice do you have for your younger self? It's ok to ask questions, even the same ones repeatedly.

What’s your biggest pet peeve? Being asked to complete a task with incomplete information.

You could be next! Grant writers might have a reputation for being introverts, but we are stronger and more connected when we get to know one another. Please fill out our survey, and you could be one of the members featured!

In Case You Missed It

September 2022

Midwest Regional GPA Conference

Over 56 attendees across the Midwest (and California!) joined us for a day of excellent presentations and community. Our presenters and sessions included:

• Keynote speaker Diane Leonard, GPC, RST, presented on grant readiness;
• Julie Boll, M.Ed, GPC, taught us how to be vulnerable leaders in the grants profession through Brene Brown’s Daring Leadership;
• Kelly Howard and Matt Carter discussed pre-writing techniques for strong proposals;
• Allison Shirk brought interesting viewpoints on building relationships with grantmakers;
• Chermain Jennings held a breakout session on tips for developing federal grant proposals;
•  Tracey Diefenbach led a session on motivational interviewing with interactive demonstrations;
• Stacy Fitzsimmons discussed the decision matrix for organizations; and
• Bryan Stone and Teresa Fleck showed us tips and tricks for managing up.

This year we joined forces with the following GPA partners: Heart of America Chapter, Chicago Area Chapter, and Indiana Chapter. Together we broadened the reach of the event in terms of speakers and attendees.

October 2022

Nonprofit Indicators Report

Paul Sorenson, MSW, and co-director of the Community Innovation and Action Center (CIAC) at the University of Missouri – St. Louis and founder of the St. Louis Regional Data Alliance, presented the latest findings in the 2021 St. Louis Nonprofit Indicators Report.

This report analyzes funding within the St. Louis metropolitan area and compares data to similar metropolitan statistical areas: Kansas City, Indianapolis, and Baltimore. As the first of its kind, this report aims to be the most comprehensive, rigorous report on the area’s nonprofit sector, to date.

Here are some key takeaways:

• St. Louis region has the largest number of registered nonprofits, while it is second in the number of reporting nonprofits. More than half of these public charities have annual budgets of less than $250,000; and
• Of the four metropolitan areas, St. Louis has the largest per capita religious and hospital public charities.
• The research process and report preparation highlighted where data and information is missing – such as racial equity, resource connectivity, and community impact. Our group discussed the idea of a data hub and the benefits it could bring to the region, as well as the limitations that exist.

This is just a taste of the information covered! If you couldn't make it, you can still purchase the recording. Register here to get the recording.

Filling Your Grant Pro Toolbox / Tips and Tricks

GPA offers archived webinars for grant professionals. These webinars were live on the date listed in the webinar's description and are now available as archived recordings. The webinars are free for members and $49 for non-members. Each webinar is worth one education point upon registration for the GPC Credential.

Send us your favorite no-cost tool at stlouisgpa@gmail.com. 

Have you considered serving as a leader in the St. Louis GPA chapter?

Serving on the board will build your leadership skills and help ensure that our chapter is a leader in the St. Louis region for grant professionals at every stage of their careers. You will also connect more deeply with the local network of nonprofit professionals and gain experience working with a board of directors. 

Nominate yourself or a grant professional you think would be a good board member. Nominating a peer does not obligate them to participate but opens a conversation to see if they are interested.

Not quite ready for the board? Consider joining the Programs, Marketing, or Conference committee.

Send nominations and questions via email: stlouisgpa@gmail.com. Deadline: Nov 30, 2022.

At this event, you'll be able to network with a variety of nonprofit professionals and select the two sessions that most interest you. We'll have advanced professionals (those with 15 years or more of experience) from AFP St. Louis, GPA St. Louis, Nonprofit Marketers Network—STL, and NSC host conversations around some of the biggest challenges we face as nonprofit professionals.

GrantAdvisor is a safe way to anonymously give and receive feedback on grantmaking. 

Mailing Address: 8050 Watson Rd, Suite 240, St. Louis, MO 63119

stlouisgpa@gmail.com | www.stlouisgpa.org