A new class series offered by NetworkPeninsula aims to reach a different audience from the organization’s usual nonprofit clients.
Karen Dutro, executive director of the organization that works with local groups to increase their efficiency, frequently comes across grants for teachers when doing grant research. But without connections to the educational community, she did not know who to contact or how to put to grant opportunities in front of teachers.
Even if she could, Dutro worried teachers might not know how to best fill out the materials to earn awards, or how to find them out in the future.
Remembering the many involved projects her children participated in at Stonehouse Elementary School, Dutro wanted a way to give back and share expertise.
NetworkPeninsula is preparing to launch “Grant Writing Basics for Classroom Educators,” a two-part series in August.
“We want to help [teachers] better understand how to find these opportunities, and then how to respond to them,” Dutro said.
The program will be led by Brownie Hamilton, PhD, who led a NetworkPeninsula a few years ago. Hamilton is also the author of “50 Grants JUST for Teachers,” which Dutro called a great start to the grant pursuit process.
Each participant will receive a copy of the book, along with access to NetworkPeninsula’s grants database for a month.
The series will also include the chance to practice grant proposal writing for review and feedback.
With a little training and know-how, Dutro said education grants are simple to complete. Unlike nonprofits that have to establish the purpose and need for their organization before discussing a specific program in need, she said a school provides a credibility for teachers upfront.
Then it is up to them to highlight the most important elements to make their cases, skills the NetworkPeninsula work to broaden.
Knowing the busy schedule of educators once school is in session, Dutro hopes the August classes will allow for maximum participation.
She also worked to keep the cost to $50 per person.
“I feel like the teachers will be paying for this,” Dutro said. “I feel like this would be a very small investment for what they could gain.”
Reaching out through Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools and the York County School Division, she said the response has been positive. There are 20 spots available, but if demand is high enough, NetworkPeninsula may offer the series again soon.
Classes will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 15 and 29 at the Thomas Nelson Workforce Development Center.
For more information and to register, visit the NetworkPeninsula website.
