Grant Writing Workshops, Leadership Training, Capacity Building for Non-Profits

Fourteen years ago, Kathy Holdway walked into my solo law office and told me she wanted a non-profit corporation that helped other non-profit agencies and charities with Grant Writing. She wanted the students, after the class, to be able to replicate the process on their own. She also talked about Leadership training and Capacity Building, but those words flew past my head. As a result, A Circle of Ten, Inc. was incorporated and millions of dollars in government and private grants began to flow to non-profit agencies.

Houses were built for the poor; computers were bought, used in classes, and then given to the students. ESL and GED books were bought and classes taught. Solar roofs were installed, nursing programs were funded, and rural schools received computers. 

The process continues today with great energy and force.    

Two Grant Writing seminars are scheduled for June 18^th, 19^th, & 20^th and for July 16^th, 17^th, & 18^th, by A Circle of Ten, Inc. The seminars teach Leadership, Capacity Building, and Grant Writing to members of non-profit agencies. The workshops build on the existing computer research skills and grant writing skills. The specific needs are targeted.  Since 1997, A Circle of Ten, Inc. has been the premier agency for successfully promoting the Grant Writing process.

The process consists of 3 equally important steps.

Step 1: A Pre Workshop Interview is scheduled and conducted to determine and assess the specific needs of the non-profit agency. Are computers needed for a school? Are books needed for ESL or GED classes? After these needs are determined then Research is conducted to find the available funding. The funders include many Federal Government programs, departments of the State of Texas (and other states), and numerous local, state, and national private charities.

Step 2: A three day Workshop is then conducted. This means teaching the process of gathering community leaders and building a program that efficiently manages grant money. Capacity building enables non-profit agencies to have the leadership in place, the safeguards, and the capacity to handle grant money. Small classes of ten or fifteen members increase the effectiveness of the workshops. Each non-profit is encouraged to send 3 members to the workshop.

Step 3: Post Workshop Consultations deliver a real boost to new grant writers as they are walked through their first grant. After the grant application is submitted, there are often queries or suggestions coming from the person to whom the grant application was sent. Post Workshop Consultations can be invaluable. Individuals receive 2 hours of free consultation from A Circle of Ten, Inc., after the workshop.

Application requests are made by calling the Registration Team at 903-541-0013 or by email at circleof10@circleof10.org. The June workshops will be held on the Gulf Coast. The July workshops will be held at the beautiful retreat center at Edom, Texas, being 1 hour 20 minutes east of Dallas and 20 minutes west of Tyler.

An Amazing Grant Writing Nonprofit Group

Listen!  I am a citizen of a county, state, and a federal government: no one listens to me or helps me. There is, however, a group that listens and will help you. You have never heard of them.

Circle of Ten: A Circle of Ten, Inc. - Network for Collaboration, is a nonprofit group that is amazing.

Grant Writing: The Circle of Ten has monthly grant writing sessions for persons in nonprofit groups. The attendees bring their hopes, desires and needs. Libraries need books and computers. Schools need computers, buildings, a/c systems.

Preparing a Grant Application: A Circle of Ten, Inc. session guides the preparation of applications, which are submitted during the session. A Circle of Ten knows who to ask for the money and knows, before giving out any money, what the agency is really looking for. A Circle of Ten also knows who to call at the agency. They are on a first name basis with the right people, at federal, state, and private agencies, who judge applications and sign the checks.

No Go.  Of course, you can buy a book of forms and fill in the blanks. And, you can fly to Washington D.C., and spend the summer trying to see the right person. Or, you can go to Google, get the names of charitable agencies, and start making telephone calls. Oh yeah. You probably tried that already.

Contact Info: A Circle of Ten, Inc. is not hard to find. A list of dates, times and places for grant writing sessions is found on your computer. Go to Circle of 10 or Virtual Village for info and schedules. Send them an email. Or you may pick up your cell phone and call 903-541-0013 (Fax 888-214-5210).