Programs & Events

The UMW GPA Chapter offers year-round programming designed to advance your grant
proposal development and management skills, expand your professional network, and keep you current with industry trends and best practices. 

2025 PROGRAM CALENDAR
We're committed to offering our programs virtually to maximize accessibility for professionals across our tri-state region.
Click on any program title below for registration information. Continuing education credits are available for select programs
and will be noted in the program announcement. 

Grant Writer Incubator
Tuesday, February 11 │ 9:30 am – 11:00 am CT │Virtual
A lightly facilitated quarterly event co-hosted by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, GrantAdvisor.org, and UMW GPA Chapter. This is a free event that focuses on grantseeking and grants management through the lens of our current context, including topics such as fundraising in a time of inflation, equity and justice, self-care for grant pros, and cracking the "invite-only" nut. Bring your burning questions, tips, and tricks. This is not a Minnesota-specific event. Attendance is free, but registration is required.

Begin with the End in Mind: Pre- and Post-Award Practices for a Smooth Transition
Thursday, March 13 │ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm CT │Virtual
Holy cow! We got a notice of award. How did we get here? What do we do now? In this session, Stacy Fitzsimmons, MBA, will share some best practices for both the pre-award and post-award phases to make the transition easier, whether you’re the one who wrote the grant application or not! Come with your questions; there is dedicated Q&A time for your federal grant questions! CEU credits available. This program will include a brief Chapter Business Meeting.

Lunch & Learn - GPA Member Benefits
Thursday, April 10 │ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CT │Virtual
Are you maximizing your Grant Professionals Association (GPA) membership? Whether you're a new member or a long-time participant, this session will provide an in-depth look at the exclusive benefits available to you. From professional development opportunities and networking events to valuable resources and discounts, we’ll guide you through everything GPA has to offer. Shelley Wales, CAE, GPA's Chapter Relations Manager, will guide us on how to leverage your membership for career growth, skill-building, and community engagement. Discover insider tips on accessing grants-related tools, certification support, mentorship programs, and more. Don’t miss this chance to make the most of your GPA membership!

Grant Writer Incubator
Tuesday, May 13 │ 9:30 am – 11:00 am CT │Virtual
A lightly facilitated quarterly event co-hosted by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, GrantAdvisor.org, and UMW GPA Chapter. This is a free event that focuses on grantseeking and grants management through the lens of our current context, including topics such as fundraising in a time of inflation, equity and justice, self-care for grant pros, and cracking the "invite-only" nut. Bring your burning questions, tips, and tricks. This is not a Minnesota-specific event. Attendance is free, but registration is required. 

Compresssion Planning
Thursday, June 12 │ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm CT │Virtual
Successful grant proposals start with strong program and project design. Compression Planning® is a dynamic, visual-thinking process that helps grant professionals quickly organize ideas, clarify objectives, and develop effective strategies. in this session, Jillian Veil-Ehnert, Ed.D, GPC, and Stacy N. Fitzsimmons, MBA, will introduce you to Compression Planning techniques to enhance your ability to design impactful programs that align with funder priorities. Learn how to streamline decision-making, improve collaboration, and create clear, compelling project plans that strengthen your grant applications. Whether you’re developing a new initiative or refining an existing program, this session will equip you with practical tools to enhance your efficiency and effectiveness. CEU credits available. This program will include a brief Chapter Business Meeting.

Growing Up in Different Worlds: A Journey Through Generational Lenses
Thursday, July 31│ 8:00 am – 10:30 am │Hamline University, St. Paul, MN
Join the Minnesota Gift Planning Association (MGPA), Apra International - Minnesota (APRA-MN), and the Upper Midwest Chapter of the Grant Professional Association (GPA) for an in-person summer networking get-together. Professor David Schultz, Distinguished Hamline University Professor, will help frame philanthropy within the relationships, perspectives, and experiences of different age groups - such as Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, and even Gen Alpha.

Grantwriter Incubator
Tuesday, September 9│ 9:30 am – 11:00 am CT │Virtual
A lightly facilitated quarterly event co-hosted by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, GrantAdvisor.org, and UMW GPA Chapter. This is a free event that focuses on grantseeking and grants management through the lens of our current context, including topics such as fundraising in a time of inflation, equity and justice, self-care for grant pros, and cracking the "invite-only" nut. Bring your burning questions, tips, and tricks. This is not a Minnesota-specific event. Attendance is free, but registration is required. 

Poking and Prodding with Purpose: Research Skills for Grant Writers
Thursday, October 9│ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm CT │Virtual
Zora Neale Hurston described research as “poking and prodding with purpose.” Applications often require grant professionals to do a lot of that: conducting research for needs statements, evidence-based practices, and context for sessions. In this session, Meredith Burke Hamons, PhD, GPC of Burke Hammons Consulting, will talk about the kinds of research grant professionals do, common (and less common) sources, evaluating its quality, tracking and citation, and ethical considerations with research. Participants will leave with some good research resources and best practices for using it to strengthen your grant applications. This program will include a brief Chapter Business Meeting.

Grantwriter Incubator
Wednesday, November 12│ 9:30 am – 11:00 am CT │Virtual
A lightly facilitated quarterly event co-hosted by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, GrantAdvisor.org, and UMW GPA Chapter. This is a free event that focuses on grantseeking and grants management through the lens of our current context, including topics such as fundraising in a time of inflation, equity and justice, self-care for grant pros, and cracking the "invite-only" nut. Bring your burning questions, tips, and tricks. This is not a Minnesota-specific event. Attendance is free, but registration is required. 

Crafting Your Grant Strategy: The Decision-Making Matrix
Thursday, December 11│ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm CT │Virtual
Unlock the power of strategic grant decision-making with the Decision-Making Matrix strategy! Allison Boyd, CPC of Boyd Grants, will discuss this proven framework that empowers grant professionals to identify, prioritize, and maximize high-return funding opportunities effectively. By evaluating key criteria such as alignment with organizational goals, funding potential, and community impact, professionals can make informed decisions and craft compelling grant proposals. Overcome common hurdles, build consensus, and drive clear grant strategy direction with this essential tool for grant success. This program will include a brief Chapter Business Meeting.