What we’re about
The Grants Cafe is a free professional development group for everyone with an interest in learning about grants. During the pandemic, the meetings are held virtually on the last Wednesday of the month from 12-1 PM, except for August and December, when we take a break. We invite speakers, including funders, to discuss "hot grant topics" such as career/business opportunities, grant proposal development, building proposal budgets, current trends in philanthropy, grants management, development planning, grant dilemmas, and more. You can expect to meet new people at all experience levels who share a passion for grants to support nonprofit causes and our communities. Everyone is welcome to contribute questions, discussion points, and suggested topics and speakers between meetups. The Grants Cafe has grown to over 700 members since 2016. We are able to offer the meetings free of charge through business sponsorships that pay the meetup.com fees.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Grants Cafe | Capacity Building Initiative: Implications for Grant ProfessionalsLink visible for attendees
Please click on this Zoom registration link in order to receive the Zoom link for the Grants Café meeting.
Since August 2023, the Capacity Building Initiative – supported by five foundations and facilitated by Kate Sphar Consulting - has convened hundreds of local nonprofit professionals in a value-driven, comprehensive process to identify the gaps in capacity in the regional nonprofit ecosystem and build the initial frameworks for solutions. Based on a 2022 National Scan of capacity building resources, the topics of Fund Development (fundraising) and Financial Strategy and Management were identified as two areas where strategic investment would be warranted.
This session will share learnings from the Capacity Building Initiative design process, as well as the potential pilot projects and other initiatives that will be launched in the next phase starting in 2024.
Speaker:
KATE SPHAR is a consultant and financial strategist with over 25 years of experience in nonprofit consulting, nonprofit management, and foundation grantmaking. Kate’s work focuses on helping organizations develop strong, sustainable businesses models. Her diverse experience has given her expertise in business and strategic planning, organizational business modeling, nonprofit capitalization planning, mergers and collaborations, financial management and analysis, and market research.
Kate received her bachelor’s degree from Duke University, as well as an MBA in Finance & Accounting and MA in Arts Administration from Southern Methodist University. For more information about Kate, please visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-sphar-2595661