It has been an exciting year at Pathways to Growth! In 2019, we:
- expanded our grant writing and management team.
- served over 40 nonprofits in several states through grant writing and capacity building services.
- taught 50 students grant writing skills.
- raised over $3.3 million in grant dollars with an average client ROI of over 500%.
We are blessed to work with such a great group of grant writers and nonprofit organizations. Because our writers often work “behind the scenes,” we thought it would be fun to spotlight their favorite moments from the past year of hard work at Pathways to Growth.
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Caterina Tassara
My favorite moment this year was watching one of our fearless and selfless leaders, Robbin Sotelo Redd (the Executive Director of the City of Tarpon Springs Housing Authority / Local Community Housing Corporation) be recognized for her life’s work at the Housing and Education Alliance’s 2019 HEART Awards. The HEART Awards are similar to the Academy Awards for the affordable housing field. She was selected as the winner of the most respected award of the evening – the Bob Samuels Leadership Award. It was a privilege to have played a small role in helping her to achieve this recognition and I will never forget her tears of joy and sincere surprise when they called her name in front of over 300 of her most esteemed colleagues, her Board Chair, and her employee. It was a great evening indeed!”
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Carolyn Miller
“This year several of our clients received funding through the Lightning Community Hero Award as a result of some amazing, dedicated individuals who selflessly volunteer their time, talent and funds to improve the lives of those less fortunate. It is both humbling and incredibly rewarding to learn not only how these heroes help others but inspire those around them to do the same, starting a chain reaction that makes our community a better place to live.”
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Sharon Fennell Kennedy
“In 2019 I had the pleasure of being assigned to write for The Florida Holocaust Museum. From the beginning I felt a powerful connection. And, as much as I gave, I got. I learned so much about the Holocaust, met Survivors and heard their stories, and stood in awe in front of Boxcar #113 069-5, trying to comprehend the terror and sadness of the women, men and children that were once inside it. Working with The FHM and winning grants for them was the highlight of my P2G year.”
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Alicia Kuranda, Writer
“The best part of my Pathways to Growth year was realizing that I am part of an amazing group of individuals that would be there to support me, yet most of us have never actually met face-to-face!”
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Sarah Bonnema, Writer
“This year, I helped a client complete the paperwork to turn an idea into an official 501(c)(3) organization. We worked closely together for several months to get the application together, and on December 10, her ‘God dream’ was approved by the IRS. As a result of our work together, this organization will enter 2020 with much greater potential to help victims of sex trafficking. The best part of this job is meeting so many wonderful people who see a need and voluntarily step forward to give their time, talents, personal funds, and career path over to serving their community."
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Diane DiGiacomo, Writer
“Continuing to learn about important issues in our society is the best part of being a grant writer for nonprofit organizations. This past year, there were two facts about homelessness in our country that I found especially shocking: 1) families now represent one-third of those experiencing homelessness, and 2) more than one-half of Americans received a means-tested benefit like food stamps, Medicaid, welfare, disability insurance or housing assistance, between 1997 and 2017. One-half of Americans! The work these nonprofit agencies do could not be more critical.”
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Julé Colvin, President/CEO
“The best for me personally was teaching the 16-hour grant writing classes at the Nonprofit Leadership Center of Tampa Bay. A student told me this year that I seem like I could teach the class in my sleep because I know the material so well. It really is wonderful to be able to share my years of experience and give back for those in the nonprofit world who have poured into me over the years. I love knowing that my teaching will multiply to other writers, nonprofits and those in need into future generations. What a blessing!”
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Chrissy Bond, Nonprofit Management and Grants Specialist
“My fondest Pathways to Growth moments of 2019 were visiting some of our nonprofit partners – hearing the precious little people of A Brighter Community sing some tunes, viewing the beautiful artwork of the talented clients of PARC, seeing a happy baby and mom enjoy lunch at ALPHA House of Pinellas County and attending the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new property of Dawning Family Services. We are proud to partner with these organizations, and many others, that make a difference every day in the lives of many.”
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Celebrating Winning Grants
December brought good news to many of our clients with notifications of grant wins totaling more than $1.25 million!
Congratulations
to all of our Pathways to Growth nonprofits who have been recognized for the great work they are doing for their clients and communities!
The funding will impact communities in an abundance of capacities, like feeding, clothing and educating children, housing the homeless, and finding jobs for the unemployed. Our staff of writers, reviewers and researchers take great pride in representing our clients and their good work through quality grant writing.
Funders included:
TB Regional Planning Council
City of Tampa - CDGB Public Facilities
Coulombe Family Foundation
Dorothy Thomas Foundation
GTE Financial Credit Union
Hobbs Foundation
Jacarlene Foundation
Tampa Bay Lightning Hero Award
Pinellas Community Foundation
Publix Super Market Charities
Regions Bank Chartible Giving
Saunders Foundation
Suncoast Federal Credit Union
Children's Board of Hillsborough County
USAA Foundation
Walmart
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P2G Presents at the Association of Fundraising Professionals -
Nature Coast
January Luncheon
Pathways to Growth Nonprofit Management and Grant Specialist Chrissy Bond
will present
"How to Swim with the Sharks" on Tuesday, 1/28, at the AFP
Nature Coast's
During this session, attendees will learn how to think like a funder so that their proposals rise to the top and have the best chance of being funded.
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P2G's Class Made the List of
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P2G's president and founder, Jule' Colvin teaches the
Certificate in Grant Writing class, which is a 4-session interactive and practical program designed for those who seek to acquire the knowledge and practice the skills necessary to succeed in today's competitive grant writing environment. This program is specifically designed for those who have little or no experience in grant writing.
Over the course of 4 half day sessions (16 hours), participants will learn best practices for developing successful grant proposals, taking part in hands-on exercises in the development of agency and program budgets and grant narratives.
Topics include:
- Narrative and Outcomes
- Budget and Research
- Grants Management
- Grants Application Review and Feedback
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Other Recommended Training Opportunities for Nonprofits
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At Pathways to Growth we love to support colleagues who are doing great work to grow and empower nonprofits. Connect for More, led by Liz Wooten-Reschke, is a high impact, highly respected nonprofit service provider in our region. Liz is an outstanding trainer who simply loves working with nonprofits. We strongly recommend that you check out and attend one of her upcoming trainings:
February 19th
Nonprofit Board Governance Essentials & Board/Staff Partnership
March 25th
Growing Your Board's Culture of Philanthropy & Recruiting the Next Generation of Your Board
April 15th
Dare to Lead™: Creating Courageous Conversations with Your Board, Staff & Clients
May 20th
Diversity, Inclusion, Equity & Philanthropy - Representative Leadership for a Lasting Legacy
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