“Getting Grant Ready” Workshop

On August 21 - 22, the South Cumberland Community Fund (SCCF), in partnership with the University of the South, hosted a Getting Grant Ready workshop designed to strengthen local nonprofits by building technical skills, encouraging collaboration, and helping organizations access new sources of funding.

The training is part of SCCF’s Purposeful Partners Program, which provides technical assistance to nonprofit organizations and fosters stronger community partnerships. 24 nonprofit leaders attended the two-day session, which focused on practical grant-writing strategies and positioning organizations for long-term success.

Prior to the workshop, the organizer, Mandy Bouldin, Director of Community Development at the University of the South, led a Needs Prioritization Workshop, giving participants the tools to identify which projects were most urgent before attending the grant training.

“Workshops like these are about more than just writing a strong proposal,” said Bouldin. “SCCF cannot fund every important need in our community. By preparing organizations to pursue additional funding opportunities, we are helping optimize the flow of money into the South Cumberland Plateau. The stronger our nonprofits are at strategically identifying priorities and writing competitive grants, the more resources they can bring home to serve our neighbors.”

Tom Sanders, Executive Director of the South Cumberland Community Fund, emphasized the importance of building long-term capacity among nonprofits: “Our region is full of passionate people doing vital work. What we want to do is give them the tools and connections they need to sustain that work. When local organizations are better equipped to find and secure outside funding, it multiplies the impact of every dollar invested here at home.” 

Looking ahead, Bouldin is planning a Fall workshop on systemic thinking for collaborative change, which will further support nonprofits in preparing for SCCF’s Collaborative Grant cycle next spring. SCCF leaders hope these trainings will positively impact the quality and vision of future grant applications, equipping community partners to work together for broader, long-term impact. Interested community partners can contact Mandy at Mandy.Bouldin@sewanee.edu.