NOTE: This is a partner program through the National Council of Nonprofits\, not hosted by Nonprofit Connect. \;
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Where does the grantseeking process start?
\nHow do you find funders interested in your organization and your programs?
\nThere are proven tactics for finding funders that are a good fit for your organization&ndash\;and plentiful resources online&ndash\;many of them free! \;

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In this three-hour live online training\, we&rsquo\;ll discuss the best ways to begin grantseeking (which is closer than you think!)\, explore four good places to start looking\, work through a proven process for finding funder information\, discover how to &ldquo\;dig deeper&rdquo\; into a foundation&rsquo\;s interests\, and determine the best way for you to start capturing what you are learning about your organization and its potential funders. This training is specifically designed to help you gain important grantseeking competencies and skills related to researching\, identifying\, and matching funding resources to meet specific needs. Through this training\, you will:
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Know more about major trends in grant funding
Apply methods of locating funding sources
Explore techniques to learn about specific funders
Determine the right method for maintaining\, tracking\, and updating information on potential funders
Identify fundable programs and projects for your organization
Locate best matches between funders and specific programs
Interpret grant application request for proposal (RFP) guidelines and requirements to accurately assess funder intent

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Workshop participants will receive a digital copy of the \;Handbook for Successful Grant Writing \;that covers topics ranging from research and planning to a glossary of commonly used terms. The Handbook is only available to participants and is not otherwise for sale. \;
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This session focuses on the nonprofit funding landscape and the process of seeking grants\, not the process of grant writing. \;

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Melia Smith is a community-driven fundraiser with a focus on establishing\, analyzing\, and overhauling fundraising operations and community-centered funding strategies. Her fundraising praxis is rooted in justice\, and she does her best work when she gets opportunities to blend traditional and grassroots fundraising practices to advance equitable philanthropic practices.

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Melia graduated from Pepperdine University with a BA in Sociology and a minor in Social Work. Before joining People Serving People in July of 2025\, she has worked the spectrum of development roles at a variety of social service nonprofits\, including Andre House\, a homeless services agency in Phoenix\, AZ\, and two Feeding America food banks: Three Square in Las Vegas\, NV\, and United Food Bank in Mesa\, AZ. Melia is an organizer\, artist\, and community ed enthusiast\, and moved to St. Paul from Phoenix\, AZ in 2022. In her free time\, she enjoys petting every dog she meets\, taking long walks along the Mississippi River Trail\, and giving unsolicited pop culture commentary.

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\nSpeaker Information