Winning Grants in Today's Funding Environment
A Practical Strategy Workshop for Nonprofits, Educational Organizations & Community Leaders
Winning grants takes more than good writing. Learn how to strengthen the strategy, project design, readiness, evaluation, and impact behind your next funding opportunity.
Thursday, September 24, 2026
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Imani Black Studios
2709 Main Street, Dallas TX 75226
$495 per participant | Lunch Included
Limited Spaces
Hosted in Collaboration with
An inspiring creative space in the heart of Deep Ellum, Dallas.
Before You Write the Grant,
Build the Strategy.
A well-written proposal cannot fix a poorly designed project, the wrong funding opportunity, unclear outcomes, or an organization that is not ready to manage the award.
This five-hour intensive starts before the writing. You will examine the strategic decisions that make grant proposals stronger and work through practical approaches you can apply to your organization, program, or next funding opportunity.
Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 9:00 am
What You Will Learn
ASSESS READINESS
Determine whether your organization and project are positioned to pursue funding.
FIND THE RIGHT FIT
Identify opportunities that align with your organization, program, and priorities.
THINK LIKE A REVIEWER
Understand how funders and reviewers evaluate opportunities and proposals.
STRENGTHEN PROJECT DESIGN
Connect needs, activities, outcomes, evaluation, and impact.
COMMUNICATE IMPACT
Use data, evidence, and storytelling to make a stronger case for your work.
BUILD YOUR STRATEGY
Develop clear next steps for pursuing your next funding opportunity.
Is This Workshop for You?
This workshop is designed for professionals working in or with:
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Nonprofit & Community-Based Organizations
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Education, K-12 Schools, Higher Ed. Institutions
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Faith-Based & Mission-Driven Organizations
Ideal for executive directors, program directors, program managers, grant and development professionals, and others responsible for developing, funding, managing, or evaluating programs.
This Isn't Just About Writing a Better Proposal.
STRATEGY BEFORE WRITING
Start with readiness, fit, project design, outcomes, and positioning before investing time in a proposal.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Apply what you are learning to your own organization, program, or funding idea throughout the workshop.
ACTION AFTER THE WORKSHOP
Leave with tools and clear next steps you can use when evaluating and pursuing future opportunities.
Live Funding Strategy Clinic
Watch Strategy Happen in Real Time.
One registered participant will be selected in advance for a 45-minute Live Funding Strategy Clinic.
We will work through a real funding challenge, examining readiness, funding fit, positioning, project design, gaps, and next steps while other workshop participants observe and identify lessons they can apply to their own work.
Want to be considered?
Participants can opt in during registration. One participant will be selected in advance.
The clinic focuses on funding strategy and readiness, not proposal editing.
Your Registration Includes
Five-Hour Intensive Workshop
Lunch
Live Funding Strategy Clinic Observation
Grant Readiness Checklist
Grant Strategy Action Plan
Funding Opportunity Fit Tool
Logic Model Resource and Template
$495 per participant
Limited Spaces
Project Planning Worksheet
Funding Research and AI Resources
Dr. Teresa Thompson-Pinckney
Founder, Vision Shift Catalyst
Meet Your Facilitator
Dr. Teresa Thompson-Pinckney is the founder of Vision Shift Catalyst and brings more than two decades of experience in grant development, program design, evaluation, and organizational strategy.
Her work has supported higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, and community-serving initiatives in moving from ideas to well-designed, measurable, and fundable programs. Her approach to grant development extends beyond proposal writing to the strategy, evidence, outcomes, capacity, and alignment that make competitive proposals possible. She has secured federal, state, and foundation grant awards totaling over $65 million.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a grant-writing workshop?
Writing is part of the larger conversation, but it is not the focus. This workshop concentrates on the strategy that comes before the writing: organizational readiness, funder alignment, project design, outcomes, evaluation, and impact.
A strong proposal reflects strong strategy. That is where the day begins.
Is this workshop for small-business grants?
No. This workshop focuses on grant funding for programs, initiatives, and community impact.
It is not designed as training on securing capital for general business startup, expansion, operating expenses, or real estate. If that is your primary need, this is not the right fit.
Do I need grant-writing experience to attend?
No. Participants come with a range of experience, from those new to grant development to those who have managed funded programs for years.
The strategy work applies at every level.
What are the terms of the registration?
https://visionshift.kartra.com/page/winning-grants-terms
Is attendance limited?
Yes. Registration is limited to a select number of participants to keep the day interactive and allow time to apply concepts to your own organization or funding idea.
Registration closes on Monday, September 21, 2026, or when capacity is reached, whichever comes first.
Where should I park?
The venue does not provide dedicated or validated parking. Metered street parking and private lots are available throughout Deep Ellum within walking distance of the studio. Metered parking is paid during business hours, and posted time limits vary by block, so check the meter or posted sign before leaving your vehicle. Plan to arrive 20 minutes early to park and check in.
What is the cancellation and substitution policy?
Cancellation by you
Cancellations received 14 or more days before the event date will receive a full refund less a $25 processing fee. Cancellations received fewer than 14 days before the event are non-refundable, because seating is limited and event costs are committed in advance. Non-attendance and partial attendance are not refundable.
To cancel, email hello@visionshiftcatalyst.com. Your cancellation is effective on the date we receive it.
Substitutions
You may transfer your seat to a colleague at no cost. Send the substitute's name, title, organization, and email address to hello@visionshiftcatalyst.com at least 48 hours before the event. Substitutions requested inside 48 hours cannot be accommodated.
Ready to Build a Stronger Funding Strategy?
Before You Write the Grant, Build the Strategy.
Thursday, September 24, 2026
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Imani Black Studios | 2709 Main Street, Dallas TX 75226
$495 | Lunch Included
Seating is Limited
Vision Shift Catalyst, LLC
Hosted in collaboration with Imani Black Studios
© Copyrights by Vision Shift Catalyst. All Rights Reserved.