Description

This session guides participants through the process of designing an intentional and achievable grant seeking strategy tailored to their organization’s capacity, timelines, and funding needs. Participants will learn how to map out opportunities, align submissions with program and organizational calendars, and prioritize prospects based on likelihood of success and fit. The session emphasizes balance between funding deadlines and internal bandwidth, and teaches how to build a thoughtful, phased approach that supports long-term sustainability and success. Participants will learn how to create their own annual grant seeking strategy. 

ABOUT THE PRESENTER 

Rachel Waterman is a Thinker, Writer, Advocate, Entrepreneur, Software Developer, Artist and Mother of two. She has held various community development positions including Peace Corps Volunteer, organizer, researcher, consultant, coach, City Master Planner, nonprofit Executive Director, and Mayor of the City of Lake Worth Beach, Florida. She holds a Master’s Degree in Community and Economic Development with a concentration in Applied Social Research, a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies, and speaks Spanish and Portuguese fluently. 

She is a Certified Fundraising Executive, a Certified Grant Professional, A Grants Professional Association-approved trainer, and the Founder & and CEO of Global Development Solutions (aka GDS Grants), the makers of GEMS- Grant Easy Management Software. Rachel lives and works remotely part of the year from Florida, USA, and part of the year from Florianopolis, Brazil.