BEMIDJI, Minn. — The Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation will offer a presentation entitled “Grant Writing: What the Heck is That?” from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12 at its facility located at 3801 Bemidji Avenue North.

Attendance is free and open to all who would like to learn more about the topic. Participants are encouraged to bring along a bag lunch. The session format is a half-hour presentation followed by a question and answer period.

Participants will learn how to prepare an organization for applying for and receiving grants; where to look for funding opportunities; and what to expect from consultants who can help find and secure grants. They will receive copies of reference materials that will assist in identifying funding opportunities.

The session will be most helpful to nonprofit organizations, board members, schools and government entities that are eligible to receive private, state and federal grant funds.

Presenting will be Jeanne Edevold Larson, CRI training coordinator in the area of organizational development.

“Some people are apprehensive about grant writing and I hope to help dispel some of the myths and fears that keep organizations from trying,” said Edevold Larson. “Nonprofits and government agencies continue to see reductions in their funding while at the same time they see increases in the need for their services and the costs of providing those services. Many look to grant funds to help, and while the grant writing environment has gotten highly competitive there are many funders out there who want to hear from agencies that are taking on the challenges society.”

Edevold Larson has been working with nonprofit organizations for 23 years. She has successfully secured grants totaling more than $5 million from regional and national foundations and government agencies. She also provides facilitation services to organizations in the areas of strategic planning, program design and community collaboration.

The session is part of a series of training and informational presentations being offered by the CRI on the second Wednesday of each month. More information and a full schedule can be found on the Web at http://www.cri-bsu.org/BrownbagSeries.html.

For more information, contact the Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation at (218) 755-4900; or toll free (888) 738-3224 or on the Web at http://www.cri-bsu.org.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Dec. 12 – noon – Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation Brown Bag Lunch training series presents, “Grant Writing: What the Heck is That?”; 3801 Bemidji Ave. N, Bemidji. Cost: free; bring a lunch. For information: (218) 755-4900; (888) 738-3244; http://www.cri-bsu.org.