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GEMS Training - How to Identify GREAT Funding Sources

August 19, 2026 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EDT)

Description

Session Overview:

In this session, participants learn how to uncover the right funders for their programs through strategic research. From using databases and reading 990s to tapping into internal networks and vetting for alignment, this lesson teaches the essentials of identifying grantmakers that are a good fit—and how to organize that information for successful outreach and applications.

This session equips participants with practical and comprehensive methods for identifying, evaluating, and organizing potential funders. Attendees will learn how to leverage GEMS Grant Explorer to develop a portfolio of aligned funding opportunities. From tapping into in-house relationships to decoding Form 990s and vetting funders for strategic fit, this session provides a structured approach to research that maximizes time and increases the likelihood of funding success.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  1. Identify a variety of funding resources.
  2. Conduct competitor funding research and reverse look-ups.
  3. Evaluate funders for mission and geographic alignment, typical grant amounts, eligibility, and application feasibility.
  4. Read and analyze IRS Form 990s to understand a funder’s giving history, focus areas, and average award size.
  5. Develop a funder tracking system using GEMS to store research, assign tasks, and follow up on opportunities.
  6. Understand best practices for keeping funder research current and actionable as part of a broader grant strategy.


ABOUT THE PRESENTER 

Deja Hasness, BSN, ONC, GPC has ten years of experience as a Certified Orthopedic Registered Nurse and Clinical Nurse Manager, Deja brings a unique clinical lens to her role at GDS. Her experience in healthcare fostered a passion for public health and preventative medicine, with a particular focus on health equity. As the GDS Client and Funder Relations Manager, Deja conducts best-practice research, aggregates existing community and industry data, serves as a client liaison, facilitates the development and presentation of webinars, in-person trainings, and grantee orientations, moderates community convenings, and conducts key informant interviews with community leaders and residents to generate support documents for grant applications and program evaluation. She lends her clinical skillset to our health-based clients, influencing program design and generating proposal narrative. Deja also enjoys volunteering for local nonprofit organizations in her hometown of Houston, where she is a community advocate for education equity.

Time

Wednesday 11 am - 12 noon VIRTUAL via Zoom

Location

Virtual Session

Virtual via Zoom

Pricing

Members - FREE

Nonmembers - $25

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Contact Information

Name: Callie Sharkey
Phone: (561) 910-6678
Email: csharkey@nonprofitsfirst.org
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