Participants on average report knowledge of grant-writing doubled after attending
The feedback is in — and by all accounts, the Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority’s largest training workshop to date was a hit with participants.
A partnership with Shaping Our Appalachian Region, Inc. (SOAR), Grant Ready Kentucky and Somerset Community College (SCC), the two-day workshop hosted at SCC provided hands-on grant-writing instruction to more than 85 people in the region. A $25 fee covered instruction and meals for two days.
“We were blown away by the response to this opportunity,” SPEDA President and CEO Chris Girdler said. “It just underscored how important and valuable grant writing skills have become for organizations across Kentucky. I’m grateful to the team at SOAR for seeing the need and being willing to bring an expert to our community to provide such critical continuing education at an affordable price, and to SCC and Grant Ready Kentucky for providing such wonderful support.”
Described in exit survey responses as “informative,” “helpful,” and “one of the best trainings I have attended,” the workshop significantly increased participants’ knowledge on the subject — on average, they reported their knowledge of grants doubled after attending.
“I am grateful for the opportunity at such an affordable cost,” one participant wrote in the class survey. “Valuable knowledge to keep a lifetime.”
The workshop was facilitated by Melissa Vermillion, one of only a dozen people in Kentucky to earn the Grant Professional Certification through the Grant Professionals Certification Institute. Vermillion is a grant writer at Hazard Community & Technical College, where she has served in that capacity since 2012. She serves on the Kentucky Chapter of Grants Professional Association’s Board of Directors and has extensive experience working with and securing funding through government agencies and foundations.
“I enjoyed the workshop and look forward to using what I learned,” one participant wrote. “Melissa was very easy to understand and it was great having someone from eastern Kentucky conducting the training.”
Participants provided feedback on how to improve future workshops, suggesting that they grow in duration to allow attendees to work on grants together. Other suggestions included hosting leadership workshops in order to communicate the support needed for grant writers and administrators.
“We hope to continue this partnership into the future so that our community leaders feel empowered and equipped to seek out much-needed grant dollars,” Girdler said. “SPEDA constantly seeks training opportunities that will help local organizations gain a competitive advantage and give them the tools and resources they need to be successful. This workshop certainly checked that box and we could not be happier with the results.”
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