UACES Facebook Community Grant Writing Workshop Huge Success: More Planned
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County Grant Writing Workshop Huge Success With More Planned

by Brandon L. Mathews - March 19, 2024

The Center for Rural Resilience and Workforce Development hosted its first EDA University Center workshop in Jefferson County last month. The Feb. 20 workshop was in partnership with the Southeast Arkansas Economic Development District and our Jefferson County Extension Office, and attendees from various organizations such as local nonprofits, community-based organizations, schools, and city and county officials.

There were four clear objectives for the workshop:

  1. Understand the grant landscape at the state, federal, and private foundation level; 
  2. Identify grants for your organization and community; 
  3. Learn skills and tools for grant writing; and 
  4. Collaborate and partner for successful grants.
Dr. Hunter P. Goodman Speaking to workshop attendees
Dr. Hunter P. Goodman, assistant professor of Community, Workforce and Economic Development, prompts grant writing workshop attendees during training.

In addition to gaining valuable insight about the vast opportunities for funding, attendees also learned how to use tools and resources like Grants.gov and how to create a budget for their grant proposals. Dr. Hunter P. Goodman, assistant professor of Community, Workforce, and Economic Development and director for the University Center, led the workshop.

“The workshop is unique to many others because it is intentionally designed for attendees to actively participate in the learning and instead of passively listening to speaker at the front of the room," Goodman said.

Twenty-five individuals attended the workshop with a waitlist of more than a dozen.

“This workshop brought together a diverse group of citizens of Jefferson and surrounding counties and provided them with valuable information that increased their knowledge and skills in grant writing,” said Pia Woods, staff chair of the Jefferson County Extension Office. “Dr. Goodman did a phenomenal job of engaging, educating, energizing, and empowering this group to seek funding for projects that will hopefully have a positive impact and enhance quality of life in the Arkansas Delta."

Attendees were assigned "homework" and projects to follow up based on their conversations and unique opportunities presented at the workshop.

Workshop Photos

Pia Woods, Jefferson County extension office staff chair, stands before workshop attendees   workshop attendees reviewing materials together

More than a dozen workshop attendees sit at tables during grant writing training

More Workshops To Come

The Center for Rural Resilience and Workforce Development is scheduled to host 12 additional workshops across the state with plans to include the other Economic and Planning Develop Districts.

Candice Taylor, grants manager for Southeast Arkansas Economic Development District, said, "This workshop was beneficial and impactful not only for our stakeholders but also for the everyday citizens who are working day in and day in out to build up the communities they consider home. This workshop provided tools, education, and connections to take back to their communities to start the rebuilding process or the continuation of building and strengthening relationships, businesses, organizations, and families."

To see if a workshop is happening near you, visit UADA Extension’s community calendar and search for “grant writing,” or contact Tabatha Duvall at tduvall@uada.edu or Brandon L. Mathews at bmathews@uada.edu. 

Learn More About Our Work

Visit the Center for Rural Resilience and Workforce Development website to learn more about their community offerings and how to get involved with your Economic and Planning Development District. 

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