Agenda

National Capital Region Grants Conference

Sunday, September 17

5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Pre-conference social

Monday, September 18

Founders Hall, George Mason University - Arlington Campus

7:00 a.m - 7:30 a.m.

Exhibitor Set-up

7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

8:30 a.m. - 8:50 a.m.

8:50 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

9:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Registration and Continental Breakfast

Conference Opening

Featured introduction by Nathan Medina, President, GPA National Board of Directors

Glen O'Gilvie, Chief Executive Officer, Center for Nonprofit Advancement
Keynote Address

Breakout Sessions A

Federal
Being Ready to Address Federal Funding Reductions
The presentation will discuss the aspects of potential reduced federal funding, the impacts on the federal programs and recipient programs. It will also provide the audience with ways in which to adjust and modify their programs to possible changes in funding levels and how to leverage additional resources. In addition, the presentation will provide attendees with information on how to be ready to address questions regarding their programs with the right information to help sustain continued support with funding programs/agencies.

Sandy Swab, Principal, SRSwab Consulting

Philanthropy
Managing Through Change
Regardless of your political persuasion, we can all agree that change is afoot, and some of the policy alterations that the new administration will enact will invariably affect nonprofits. Many nonprofits are worried that new policies will “affect the at-risk and vulnerable populations they serve.” Some organizations fear that their mission will no longer be funded, while others hope the new administration will embrace their cause. What’s true is that some changes might bring benefits; others may be painful. Are you ready to act? Join Emma for a conversation on what you can do to be ready for change.

Emma Kieran, Principal, Pilot Peak Consulting

11:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

12:35 p.m. - 1:50 p.m.

2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

3:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Coffee Break

Breakout Sessions B

Federal
Steps to Successfully Prepare Federal Collaborative Grant Proposals
Workshop participants will explore strategies to increase the ease and efficacy of preparing federal grant applications that involve multiple service partners, known as “collaborative” grants. We will discuss typical challenges and solutions used by grant professionals in assembling and organizing complex information required by multiple partners. This presentation is intended to increase participants’ knowledge of the collaborative grant process and offer management tools to keep your process organized and under control.

Maggie Holmes, President/CEO, The Write Group, LLC
Kitty Wojcik, Grant Manager, Washington Tennis & Education Foundation

Philanthropy
What's the Logic behind Logic Models?
Don’t let terms like “outputs” or “outcomes” prevent you from participating in an interactive session on logic models and evaluation. Through a series of activities grounded in the principles of adult learning, we will explore the core benefits of program evaluation, the value of strategically aligning a program’s logic model and its evaluation, and where to find key resources. Don’t let another year pass without mastering the evaluation section of your grants so you can secure more funding for your organizations and, ultimately, provide them with increased capacity to advance their missions.

Jana Sharp, Founder & Principal, Sharp Insight, LLC

Luncheon Session

Funders panel, co-hosted with the Foundation Center
Moderator: Kim Patton, Director, Foundation Center Northeast
Tracye Funn, Manager, Corporate Contributions & Supplier Diversity, Washington Gas
Joan Schaffer, Grants Manager, Montgomery County Council
Tobi Printz-Platnick , Senior Program Officer, The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation
Tonia Wellons, Vice President, Community Investment, Greater Washington Community Foundation

Breakout Sessions C

Federal
Making the Most of a Peer Review
Applicants who pursue grants and submit government proposals are faced with compliance requirements, selection criteria, panel reviewers with varying levels of skill and experience, submission protocols and uncertain scoring rubrics. How review panels work and what they consider important can seem like a mystery. Come learn tips to use and definite no-no's to avoid to make every point count, review case studies of peer reviews at the federal and local government levels, learn about four applicant rights, and how to best engage elected officials and program officers prior to application submissions.

Karen Norris, Prinicpal, K4rnoco
Rachel Werner, Owner/CEO, RBW Strategy, LLC

Philanthropy
Nurturing Relationships: Building Castles in the Sandbox
We often talk about collaboration, relationships, and “playing nicely together in the sandbox.” Take it one step further and learn how to build brilliant sandcastles with your funders. In real estate we say “location, location, location.” In development we say, “relationship, relationship, relationship.” This session will help you:
• Identify key contacts within the funding organization
• Understand the importance of developing relationship-building skills
• Develop key relationship building strategies
This will be an interactive session. Bring your sandbox!

Polly Binns, CFRE, Principal, Binns Drennon, LLC

Coffee Break

Breakout Sessions D

Federal
From Compliance to Performance
A significant change in the uniform guidance is the refocus from compliance to performance. To complicate matters, there are other significant federal legislative actions that reinforce the shift from compliance to performance. This means heightened scrutiny on performance and results, and new expectations. That's why the grants community must know what moving to performance involves. Here's where to start.

Karen Norris, Principal, K4rnoco

Philanthropy
Writing for Change
As grant professionals we are able to change the world in which we live. But, how do we write for change? In this session, you will learn:
• Key words to indicate change within the proposal
• Effective strategies to measure change
• How to make an impact without overpromising.

Debbie DiVirgilio, President, Faith Based Nonprofit Resource Center

Closing Reception