Healthcare District's grant writing workshop a success

FALLBROOK — Thirty-three people attended the grant writing workshop sponsored by the Fallbrook Healthcare District (FHD) on Saturday, March 14, at Fallbrook Public Utility District.

Offered at no cost to participants, the intent of the workshop was to provide nonprofit agency grant writers insights into effective research, preparation and presentation of grant requests to multiple and varied funding resources.

Its focus was not the FHD grant program, although information presented was applicable.

The district offered the workshop so more information and opportunity would become known to agencies in their pursuit of funding for their programs and services.

All agencies represented in the workshop are dependent on grants, contributions, endowments and other fundraising resources.

Every agency was encouraged to seek multiple sources of funding, be aware of the categories within their organization that need support and research the grant opportunity to be certain there is a fit with the funder’s intent and the program offerings.

The components of effective grant writing are multiple and diverse; identifying and presenting them in accord with the funding agents requirement is crucial.

Jerry Meier, MPH, who presented the workshop, is an accomplished grant writer with more than 25 years of experience.

He has written grant proposals that have netted more than $4 million in foundation, corporate and government grants.

Among his successes have been grant funds awarded to Fallbrook Family Health Center and to the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Diego.

Meier is engaged in every aspect of program development and design, from developing program materials to designing surveys and needs assessments.

The workshop concluded with an evaluation by the attendees. Participants indicated that their knowledge and understanding of effective grant writing and their ability to research grant resources applicable to their programs had improved.