Grant Professionals Network of Northeast Indiana

05/28/2026

Are you feeling the weight of "empathy exhaustion" or the pressure of endless grant deadlines?

Grant professionals are more than just writers; you are interpreters, diplomats, and bridge-builders. But being the bridge between social need and institutional capacity can lead to burnout. Join us for a special "Summer Reset" with leadership coach
Audrey Davis. You’ll explore somatic awareness and learn how to maintain your sense of safety, belonging, and dignity—even when the success rates are out of your control. Move from just "functioning" to leading with true presence.

RSVP for free on Eventbrite to join us on June 12!
Link: grantprofessionalsnetwork.eventbrite.com

05/18/2026

Last month, members of the Grant Professionals Network had the privilege of joining local program officers for a candid roundtable discussion. While our roles often interact through portals and applications, this was a welcome opportunity to connect as people.

We spent time exploring the nuances of the Northeast Indiana funding landscape—discussing how we can work more synchronously to support our community's needs. It wasn't about "asking"; it was about understanding the perspectives on both sides of the bridge.

This type of exchange reminds us that our network's strength lies in collaboration. By learning from one another, we ensure that the local nonprofit ecosystem remains resilient and well-informed.

We are grateful for the ongoing partnership of our local funders and look forward to carrying these insights into our work this summer.

05/14/2026

At our May gathering, Hannah Shoue from Petra Solutions LLC presented "Spring Cleaning Your Drafts," focusing on the Three Cs of writing: Clarity, Consistency, and Context. We discussed practical ways to improve proposals, such as removing "helper words" and using the Tangible Transformation Sentence to better connect organizational goals with the populations served. These improvements help grant professionals in Northeast Indiana communicate their impact more effectively to funders.
Meeting Highlights:
Clarity: Techniques for providing readers with a clear destination and a direct ask.
Consistency: Aligning the statement of need with proposed solutions to create a logical narrative flow.
Context: Using specific local data and the "Tangible Transformation" formula to anchor the narrative.

Join our next meeting on Friday, June 12th at 12:00 PM at the ACPL Main Branch in Meeting Room C.

03/30/2026

Looking for a productive space to tackle your latest grant application alongside your peers?

Join the Grant Professionals Network (GPN) for a dedicated coworking session! We are switching up our usual meeting format to focus on collective productivity. We’ll use timed intervals for deep work and brief breaks to chat, ensuring you get your tasks done while enjoying the company of fellow grant pros.

Event Details:

When: Friday, April 10th | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Where: Allen County Public Library (Main Branch), Meeting Room C

What: A structured coworking environment designed for focus and community.

Mark your calendars and come ready to work! We can't wait to see you there.

03/06/2026

New Venue, New Vision: Celebrate International Grant Professionals Day at the Library!

We are thrilled to announce that the Grant Professionals Network of Northeast Indiana has a new home! Thanks to a generous partnership with the Allen County Public Library, our monthly gatherings will now be held at the Main Branch in downtown Fort Wayne.

Join us on Friday, March 13, for an exclusive session: "Grant Professionals Day: Visioning Community Innovation."

Celebrate: Honor International Grant Professionals Day with your peers.

Collaborate: Participate in focus groups to shape our future Online Community Hub.

Connect: Network in a professional, central space designed for community growth.

Location: ACPL Main Branch, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, IN 46802 (Meeting Room C).
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM.

[Register on Eventbrite for the March 13 Meeting: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/grant-professionals-network-of-northeast-indiana-tickets-1978259001928?aff=ebdssbdestsearch]

02/23/2026

How can local grant writers better support one another and their organizations?

At our February 13th meeting, we announced the Community Hub project: GPN Committee Member Andrew Applegate shared that GPN is moving forward with plans for an online community hub. This shared workspace will allow local grant writers to connect, share resources, and access tools year-round.

Grant Financials: Committee Member Emily Kobza led the day's topic discussion on the role of grant writers in budgeting. We discussed the importance of grant writers taking an active role in the budgeting process to ensure financial plans and grant narratives are fully aligned.

Join us at our next meeting:

Date: Friday, March 13th

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Location: Allen County Public Library, Main Branch (Meeting Room C)

02/03/2026

Is your nonprofit budget getting the love it deserves? ❤️📊

Join the Grant Professionals Network (GPN) of Northeast Indiana for our February gathering as we explore the art of nonprofit financials! Whether you're a seasoned writer or new to the field, understanding the "numbers side" of a proposal is key to securing major funding and building funder trust.

What’s on the Agenda:

Love Your Financials: GPN’s own Emily Kobza (18+ years of experience!) will lead an engaging overview of nonprofit financials specifically for grant professionals.

Community Hub Update: Get an exclusive look at our 2026 plans for the Online Community Hub—your future home for resource sharing and local job boards.

Networking: Connect with fellow grant pros in a supportive, collaborative environment.

We are dedicated to helping Allen County and Northeast Indiana nonprofits grow by strengthening the professionals who power them. Come for the learning, stay for the community!

Event Details: 📅 When: Friday, February 13, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM 📍 Where: Punch Films (200 6th Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46808) 💡 Cost: Free to attend!

Mark your calendars and join us! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/grant-professionals-network-of-northeast-indiana-tickets-1978259001928?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

01/21/2026

01/16/2026

How can grant professionals better leverage local media and expert research to strengthen their work?
Our January meeting provided practical insights into both. We want to thank our guest speakers for their distinct and informative presentations:
89.1 WBOI - NPR News & Diverse Music: The Executive Director Travis Pope and Underwriting Director Mark Sitz shared the station’s mission of public service and discussed specific ways local nonprofits can partner with public radio to amplify their community impact.

Rachel Blakeman, J.D. (Community Research Institute at PFW): Rachel presented on the importance of data research. Her expertise in navigating public health, economic, and workforce data provided a roadmap for building stronger, evidence-based grant narratives.

Join us at our next meeting to continue sharing resources and building technical skills with peers in Northeast Indiana.

Next Meeting: Friday, February 13th | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Punch Films

hashtag