GRANT-WRITING WORKSHOP TO BEGIN

Seventeen people from local nonprofit organizations have registered to learn the art of grant writing from experts during a workshop on Friday.

Two instructors from Southeast Missouri State University will teach the six-part series, which will meet once each month between April and August, with a final meeting in November. The series is sponsored by the Area Wide United Way, Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce and Community Caring Council.

A session on identifying and searching for grant funding will be held at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, 1267 N. Mount Auburn Road, from noon to 2 p.m. Friday. Representatives from area churches, schools and social agencies have registered to attend the session.

"This will be a hands-on training experience for people who want to learn how to write grants," said Deena McCutchen, administrative assistant at the United Way. "It can be kind of intimidating to write grants, and we want them to feel comfortable and to be able to access the opportunities and resources available."

Many of the sponsors also have employees attending the series. University grant writers Mike McCallister, director of the Office of Sponsored Programs, and Dr. Shelba Branscum, associate professor in the Department of Human Environmental Studies from Southeast, will conduct the workshop.

"Both of the instructors have a lot of experience writing grants for the university," McCutchen said. "They'll be able to give specific information to the people enrolled about how to seek and secure grant funding."

The series will focus on both public and private grant funding for varying amounts. No restrictions will be set on the type of funding the participants seek, and instructors will coach them during the workshop and in the future. Participants will learn how to locate grant opportunities relevant to their organization, and in August they will select a grant sponsor and prepare a proposal for submission.

McCutchen said people may enroll in the series at any time, but early enrollment allows coordinators to locate a more agency-specific resource packet. Enrollment cost is $25 for the entire series.