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. 

2026 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
Wednesday, February 18 │ 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.
Cost: Free

Virtual Lunch and Learn - Maximize Your GPA Membership
Wednesday, March 18 │ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CT │Virtual
Are you taking advantage of all that your GPA Membership has to offer? Whether a new member or a long-time participant, this Lunch and Learn will take a deep dive into the exclusive benefits available to GPA members. From professional development opportunities and networking events ot valuable resources and discounts, Shelley Wales, GPA's Chapter Relations Manager, will guide us through everything GPA has to offer.
Cost: Free

Grant Writer Incubator
Wednesday, April 29 │ 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.
Cost: Free

Virtual Educational Program / Member Business Meeting
Wednesday, May 20 │ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm CT │Virtual
Program Topic: Project Management for Grant Pros
Speaker: Laura Leite, Community Development Advisor - North Central Regional Planning Commission, Adjunct Faculty Member - Falmouth Institute, and Grants Consultant - Cottonwood Consulting
Cost: GPA Members - Free; Nonmembers - $25.00

Virtual Educational Program / Member Business Meeting
Wednesday, June 17 │ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm CT │Virtual
Program Topic: Grant Professionals as Organizational Leaders
Speakers: Kimberly Hays De Muga, GPC and Amanda Day, GPC, Co-founders & Co-Owners - HayDay Services
Cost: GPA Members - Free; Nonmembers - $25.00

Lunch & Learn
Wednesday, August 19 │ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CT │Virtual
Program Topic: In the works!
Speakers: TBD
Cost: Free

Grantwriter Incubator
Tuesday, September 16│ 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.
Cost: Free

Virtual Educational Program / Member Business Meeting
Wednesday, October 21│ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm CT │Virtual
Program Topic: In the works!
Speaker: Allison Boyd, GPC, Owner & Grant Consultant - Boyd Grants
Cost: GPA Members - Free; Nonmembers - $25.00

Grantwriter Incubator
Wednesday, November 4│ 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.
Cost: Free

Virtual Educational Program / Member Business Meeting
Wednesday, December 16│ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm CT │Virtual
Program Topic: Project Management for Grant Professionals
Speaker: Stacy Fitzsimmons, Founder & Principal Consultant - SNF Writing Solutions, LLC; Adjunct Faculty, Doctoral Program (Grant Writing) - University of Indianapolis
Cost: GPA Members - Free; Nonmembers - $25.00

2026 BOARD MEETINGS
Chapter Board meetings are held virtually from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. All Chamber members are welcome to attend our quarterly Board meetings. Please reach out to any Chapter Officer to request the virtual meeting link.

Thursday, January 22
Wednesday, April 22
Wednesday, September 16
Wednesday, November 18