A compelling problem statement is the foundation of successful grant applications. This webinar will guide you through defining community challenges clearly and effectively, emphasizing why your organization's need for grant funding should be about more than just money. Learn how to describe target populations, identify root causes, and back up your claims with data-driven evidence. Through real-world examples, including a case study on the affordable housing crisis, you’ll gain practical insights to strengthen your grant proposals and make your organization’s mission impossible to ignore.

Note: This is Session 3 of a four-part Intro to Grant Writing webinar series. Participation in the prior sessions is recommended but not required. This is an interactive webinar, not a course.

Session 3: Thursday, February 20th from 3 - 5 pm ET

Individual Non-Member - Price: $100

Member Price: $90 (use code GRANT252 at checkout) Members will be verified.

Credit: Completion of the full Intro to Grant Writing Series (all four webinars) counts toward MSA’s new certification pathway. This means that both new and current MSAI participants can receive credit toward certification.

Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel your registration, please email msai@mainstreet.org. Cancellations communicated more than 14 days in advance of the first course date will be refunded in full. Cancellations occurring less than 14 days in advance of the first course date will be offered a 50% refund. Please note there is a $25.00 processing fee for any cancelled registration.

About the Instructor: Melissa Sesco Vermillion, GPC, MBA

Chief Strategy Officer at Grant Ready Kentucky

Melissa Vermillion has extensive experience with state and federal grant writing as well as a particular interest in assisting rural nonprofits and communities achieve their goals. She has successfully written grant applications securing over $50 million in grant funding from public and private funders, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Development Administration, Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization Program, State of Kentucky, Kentucky’s Council on Postsecondary Education, National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, Appalachian Regional Commission, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HRSA), U.S. Department of Education Trio Programs, Kentucky Community and Technical College System, and James Graham Brown Foundation.

Learn more about Grant Ready Kentucky: https://www.grantreadyky.org/