Grant Professionals of Lower Hudson
Alison Paul, GPLH President Emiritus, will be teaching a virtual course this fall through Westchester Community College: “Grant Writing Basics for NonProfit Organizations” will be offered via ZOOM from 6-9 pm on four Thursdays: Oct. 10, 17 24; Nov. 7. Alison has raised millions of dollars over her 30+ year career working with nonprofits and in her grant consulting business.
Class Description
The course is ideal for those new to grant writing or those who work for a nonprofit and want to increase their skill set. Learn to write a grant to support a nonprofit’s mission and goals.
The course will include understanding how nonprofits raise funds and where grants fit in, the different types of grant proposals, the components of a strong proposal, and how to write a basic grant budget. The course will also provide an overview of how to find grant funders, and how to get started as a grant writer.
The final project is a short letter proposal. We will read all proposals and then, in a friendly, constructive way, participants will vote yay or nay on funding – so you’ll also experience being a grant reviewer.
Registration Information
The course is listed in the fall 2024 SUNY Westchester Workforce Development and Community Education catalog, under Continuing Professional Education, on page 6. (CE-GRANT 2000, #97969, $166) Click here to view the catalog.
To register, call 914-606-6830.
For more registration info, click here.
Questions?
Email Alison at apaulconsultant@gmail.com
United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region is a 2024 GPLH Gold Sponsor. We are pleased to share their mission with you.
Our Mission
United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our community.
Our Initiatives
United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region invests in solutions to our community's biggest challenges by partnering with all sectors of the community to identify resources and leverage volunteers to make the Dutchess-Orange region a better place for our children and families. United Way’s work is focused on the building blocks for a good life:
Our Vision & Values
As the area's premier impact organization, United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region serves as a catalyst to increase the community's capacity to improve the lives of its citizens. This vision is driven by a set of specific values that UWDOR adheres to:
Our Commitment to Equity & Inclusion:
United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region is committed to equity, inclusion, and anti-racist principles. Social justice and racial equity are woven into our ethos and reflected in our work in the community. Our responsibility is to amplify voices of color and ensure the families we serve are included in program policy and implementation. We envision a future with greater social and economic equality and are dedicated to creating a society that provides power and access to historically marginalized communities.
To learn more, visit https://www.uwdor.org/
By Maddy Shiering, Sheer Strategy Consulting, GPLH Treasurer
Strategic planning may be widely associated with large corporate entities, but it’s an important instrument for organizations of all sizes and types. A strategic plan furthers an agency’s mission by determining the priorities for a set time period and offers a framework for decision making. As such, the GPLH leadership engaged in developing a strategic plan this past year.
The Process
The GPLH Executive Committee began planning in June 2023 and identified a strategic planning committee, which consisted of the Executive Committee as well as a few others (Board members and other active GPLH members.) The 10-member committee worked together to set a structure for an in-person evening planning session in September 2023, facilitated by Maddy Schiering.
To frame the session, GPLH sought input from constituents. Board members were asked to complete a SWOT analysis, and a survey about GPLH offerings and potential unmet needs of stakeholders was sent to the entire contact list in advance of the planning session.
Using input from the SWOT and survey, the strategic planning committee developed three high level measurable and realistic objectives to focus on three priories: membership, financial, and volunteers, over a two year timeframe.
Sub-groups then developed specific action steps detailed with corresponding resources, timelines, assignment of team member responsibilities, and metrics to monitor progress towards meeting each objective. Notably, the strategic planning committee developed the objectives and action steps through an organizational capacity lens.
The Results
A two-year strategic plan with three high level objectives and specific action steps was adopted unanimously by the GPLH Board of Directors on March 11, 2024. If any member would like a copy, please email info.GPLH@gmail.com.
Learn About Strategic Planning
For more information about the strategic planning process, and for free resources on this and other topics, visit Maddy’s company website at www.SheerStrategy.com or contact her at MaddySchiering@SheerStrategy.com.
GPLH is pleased to offer the Founder’s Scholarship Fund, which will provide one-year memberships to GPLH.
The scholarships are made possible by a generous contribution from Lydia Howie, President of Howie Grant Writing & Consulting, LLC, and GPLH founder. Lydia sought to create an organization that would bring grant writers and aspiring grant writers together to provide educational events and networking opportunities as well as raise the profile of the grant writing as a skill-based profession.
Scholarship eligibility
Scholarships are available for up to one year to potential members who can show significant financial need and a desire to network with grant writers in a multitude of fields. Preference will be given to new members or those currently unemployed.
Scholarship recipients are expected to serve on a committee and attend webinars and Connections Calls throughout the year.
How to apply for a scholarship
To apply for a scholarship for a one-year GPLH membership, complete this short application. Applications can be submitted throughout the year but will be reviewed twice a year, March 31st and September 30th. Please make sure to complete the application at least 24 hours before the deadline.
Benefits of GPLH membership
GPLH is dedicated to professional development and helping the people who write grants be more effective, so the organizations and people we support have the resources they need to fulfill their missions.
GPLH members receive:
The GPLH Board of Directors is a talented, dedicated group of professionals who volunteer their time to ensure that GPLH is a vibrant and effective organization that brings benefits and enrichment to our members.
We are proud to announce our 2024 GPLH Board of Directors (* = new to the Board this year):
Executive Committee:
Board members:
President Emeritus: Alison Paul
Learn more about our Board members here.
Many thanks to our outgoing Board members for their service:
There’s always room for more talented and dedicated people! If you have interest in learning more about serving on the GPLH Board, or if you’d like to volunteer your time and talents to help as a committee member, we’d love to hear from you. To learn more, send an email to info.gplh@gmail.com.
We are pleased to announce that GPLH is a GPCI Accepted Education Program provider.
The GPCI (Grant Professionals Certification Institute) establishes a mechanism for grant professionals to obtain educational opportunities that address the core grant competencies* that are necessary to achieve and maintain the GPC credential. Providers who are accepted into the program have passed an application process to ensure their training sessions cover these competencies and have been approved.
Approved programs will be listed on the GPCI website along other esteemed providers such as Grant Professionals Association, Assel Grant Services, MyFedTrainer, DH Leonard Consulting & Grant Writing Services, and Thompson Grants, among others. Fundraisers with the CFRE may also apply some trainings to maintain their credentials. We are proud to be included in this list, and to have received this stamp of approval for our educational programs.
In the descriptions and announcements for our programs, you’ll see the GPCI logo, as well as the number of GPCI Education points participants will earn for that program.
GPLH is dedicated to helping fundraisers increase their knowledge of grant writing skills, strategies, and techniques. We provide educational programs, mentoring, and resources to assist those writing grants. We are pleased to offer webinar attendees the opportunity to maintain their credentials through this service.
*Core Competencies
Knowledge of:
Nonprofit Westchester is a 2023 GPLH Gold Sponsor. We are pleased to share their mission with you.
More than 300 members strong, Nonprofit Westchester is the County’s only membership organization solely dedicated to advancing the needs and interests of Westchester’s nonprofit sector, the people and populations served, and the nonprofit workforce. NPW’s mission is to strengthen Westchester’s nonprofit organizations as they transform lives, empower communities, and drive positive change. NPW envisions a thriving Westchester County with vibrant nonprofits and resilient, inclusive communities.
NPW unifies the nonprofit sector to advance positive social and economic change through advocacy, education, awareness building, and public activation. Through research, community involvement, and input from members, NPW envisions and works to actualize what’s possible for the nonprofit sector and County.
NPW is a resource for a vibrant learning community, offering cutting-edge training and professional development opportunities for the nonprofit workforce at all levels. NPW tracks emerging trends to prepare the nonprofit sector to meet present and future needs. NPW pursues and fosters connection and cooperation between community stakeholders to ensure the most efficient service to people and communities in need and the greatest positive social impact.
Nonprofit Westchester seeks to be a trusted, vital partner in our community through principles and actions that honor and advance the work of our diverse member organizations. NPW provides a platform for all issues to be elevated and all voices to be heard reflecting a learning mindset where best practices are shared, thought leadership is developed and new ideas are embraced. NPW represents the work of the nonprofit sector and acts with transparency, respect, responsibility, and pride.
In June, GPLH held a webinar on helping people get career-enhancing credentials including GPC (Grant Professionals Certification) CFRE (Certified Fundraising Professional), and M/WBE (Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise.)
More About M/WBE
As a follow-up to the info presented in our webinar about M/WBE (Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise) check out these helpful resources:
Westchester County’s Office of Economic Development
https://westchestercatalyst.com/programs-incentives/minority-and-women-owned-business-program/
This resource is valuable to those who are already registered and is also helpful to those who want to register. They will help you get registered, and will also add your business to their directory and interactive map, to help drive business to you.
The advantages of registering are many, even if your business is not based in Westchester. The website makes your business known to those seeking to hire M/WBEs. They send email notices about contract opportunities, as well as invitations to workshops, seminars, and training to help you succeed. The website has many helpful resources to help you get started, and they welcome assisting you. Contact: mwbe@westchestergov.com.
WEDC (Women’s Economic Development Corp.)
https://wedcbiz.org/
As mentioned during the webinar, WEDC is also happy to help you register. According to Nikki Hahn, Westchester’s WEDC Executive Director, 50% of those seeking NYS M/WBE certification will not succeed because they completed the forms incorrectly. WEDC wants to help and have a great track record of helping businesses successfully get through the paperwork hurdles.
More Resources
Interactive Map of Minority and Women-Owned Businesses Directory. Includes almost 2500 businesses listed from throughout the tri-state region. These businesses are registered with the Westchester County M/WBE program.
NYS M/WBE Directory. List of certified minority-and women-owned businesses registered with Westchester County’s Office of Economic Development, searchable by 15 categories to help you find the resource you are looking for – or to help those searching find you!
Westchester Contractor MBEs.
Black owned businesses in Westchester.
Remember, you can get credit for attending many GPLH webinars! And, if you’re a GPLH member, you can view recordings and handouts from past webinars, including this one, on our “members only” page.
GPLH Co-President Alison Paul will be teaching a course this fall: “Grant Writing Basics for Nonprofit Organizations.” Alison has raised millions of dollars over her 30+ year career working with nonprofits and in her grant consulting business.
The course will be offered through Westchester Community College from 6-9 pm on four Thursdays: Oct. 26, Nov. 2, 9 and 16. It will be held via ZOOM, so you can learn from the comfort of your home.
Participants will learn how to: find funders; understand the components of a strong proposal; write a basic budget; articulate realistic and measurable outcomes; construct evaluation plans. They will also learn how to get started as a grant writer.
The course is interactive. It will include many sample grants to review as well as access to a wealth of resources. The final project is a short letter proposal. We will read all proposals and then, in a friendly, constructive way, participants will vote yay or nay on funding – so you’ll experience being a grant reviewer as well.
The course is listed in the fall SUNY Westchester Workforce Development and Community Education catalog, on page 6, under Continuing Professional Education. (CE-GRANT 2000, #91829. $166) Click here to view the catalog.
To register online, visit www.sunywcc.edu/MyWCC.
To register by phone, call 914-606-6830 and press option 1.
What’s the most popular webinar topic people request from GPLH? Without question, it’s Grant Prospect Research. We’ve had great presentations by seasoned grant writers with different approaches to finding funders.
But what you might not know is this: We keep all webinar recordings, handouts, and PowerPoints on our “Members Only Page.” A GPLH membership is worth it just to watch these two Prospect Research webinars on our website:
These are just two examples of the valuable recordings and materials on our Member’s Only Page.
Check them out! Webinars are listed in chronological order starting with most recent. To view past webinars, click here, then login to your GPLH account.
(If you’re not a member yet, you can join today and have ongoing access to this great resource.)
CONTACT US:
info.GPLH@gmail.com
Join us.
Become a member today!
