The Write Source Joins the Association of Philanthropic Counsel
The Write Source, LLC is now a member of the prestigious Association of Philanthropic Counsel (APC). This group of independent and small consulting firms throughout the U.S. promotes best practices and upholds ethical standards in their delivery of professional philanthropic services to nonprofit organizations. As we have for 26 years, we will continue to maintain our high standards that clearly reflect the APC Code of Ethics and Principles of Practice.
How Approaching Grant Writing is Similar to Jigsaw Puzzles
Fellow grants consultant, Jana Jane Hexter recently blogged What Your Attitude to Jigsaw Puzzles Says about Your Capacity for Grant Writing with excerpts from her book, Grant Writing Revealed: 25 Experts Share Their Art, Science, and Secrets. In her post, she quotes four grant consultants, including our Diane Gedeon-Martin, about their puzzle-solving approach to grant writing.
Proposal Prepared by The Write Source Used as an Example of a Winning Application by a U.S. Federal Agency
In November 2016, we prepared a proposal to the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for our client, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. This proposal received the full amount requested of $173,414 in October 2017. You can view this winning proposal that was originally posted to the IMLS Sample Applications web page from 2017 to 2018. It was such a great honor to have this application serve as a shining example for others to follow when seeking a grant in the same category.
Write Source President was the Keynote Speaker at the 2nd Annual New England Grant Professionals Association’s Regional Conference
We are honored to share that Diane Gedeon-Martin, President of The Write Source, was the Keynote Speaker at the 2nd Annual New England Regional Grant Professionals Association’s (GPA) Conference in Brookline, Massachusetts held June 13, 2017. She set the tone for the day speaking to 69 peers on the topic: 21st Century Grants – Brief and to the Point!
PFLAG invited Write Source President to be Plenary Speaker at 2016 Regional Conference
Diane Gedeon-Martin was the Plenary Speaker at the PFLAG Northeastern Regional Conference on October 1, 2016, in Hartford, Connecticut. She spoke about the grant seeking process, focusing on researching grantmakers, building relationships, and approaching corporations.
Diane Gedeon-Martin speaks to over 500 people at the Connecticut Congressional Federal Grant Fair
For the second time in a row, Diane Gedeon-Martin, President of The Write Source, spoke about government grants to a packed auditorium of over 500 people on the campus of Middlesex Community College in Middletown at the Connecticut Congressional Federal Grant Fair hosted by Senators Blumenthal and Murphy and Congresswoman DeLauro. Attendees to the August 2014 event included those wanting to learn more about seeking federal and state funding including municipalities and nonprofit organizations. Read more about this event in the article Nonprofit Representatives and Public Officials Get Tips on Applying for Grants on the Hartford Courant website.
The Write Source President is One of 25 Experts Contributing to New Grant Writing Book
In the book Grant Writing Revealed: 25 Experts Share Their Art, Science, and Secrets, author Jana Jane Hexter selected Diane Gedeon-Martin, President of The Write Source, LLC to be one of 25 experts that shared their techniques for winning grants for nonprofit organizations. The book identifies 24 key elements that Diane and the other experts use for successful grant development. You can purchase a copy on Amazon.
President of The Write Source becomes a Board Member for Children in Placement
In a unanimous decision, Diane Gedeon-Martin, President of The Write Source, LLC was elected by the Board of Directors for Children in Placement. The nonprofit organization serves as the only affiliate of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) in Connecticut. Its mission to facilitate judicial review of cases involving abused and neglected children so that each child in the state realizes a safe and permanent home.
Diane Gedeon-Martin Invited to Speak at Senator Blumenthal’s (D-CT) Federal Grant Fair
Diane Gedeon-Martin was the plenary speaker at the Federal Grant Fair hosted by Senator Richard Blumenthal on Friday, June 1, 2012, at Chapman Hall on the campus of Middlesex Community College in Middletown, Connecticut. Her session drew over 150 participants who absorbed everything they could about the federal grant process.
Ethics in Grant Seeking Discussed by The Write Source President
Did you know it is unethical to pay grant consultants only if a grant is awarded or paying them a percentage of the grant award? Diane Gedeon-Martin, President of The Write Source, discusses these two ethical misconceptions in the sidebar of the article Ethically Blindsided? in the March/April 2012 issue of Advancing Philanthropy published by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).
The Write Source President becomes Vice President of AFP Connecticut Chapter
In the elections held at the February 16, 2012, annual meeting of the AFP Connecticut Chapter, Diane Gedeon-Martin, President of The Write Source, was elected Vice-President of the Board of Directors for the chapter.
Two More Clients Win Kresge Challenge Grants
The Write Source is now seven wins out of eight submissions for challenge grants from the Kresge Foundation for various building projects of our clients over the past 16 years. In 2008, both Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah and the YMCA of Greater Hartford in Connecticut received Kresge Challenge Grants.
Westminster College is the latest recipient of a $1.0 million Kresge Challenge Grant toward their $30.0 million Make It Happen capital campaign to support the creation of the Meldrum Science Center. The College submitted the proposal we helped design in September with the Kresge Foundation announcing the award in December.
In June 2008, the Kresge Foundation notified the YMCA of Greater Hartford that the proposal we created for their new facility in North Hartford, as part of their $15.5 million Second Century of Service capital campaign, will receive an $850,000 challenge grant! Previous clients winning Kresge Challenge Grants include the Blue Water YMCA in Port Huron, Michigan that received $800,000 in 2006 and Phelps Memorial Hospital in Sleepy Hollow, New York that received $800,000 in 2005. Learn more about these projects by visiting our Grant Awards page.
Advice for Writing Grant Proposals in the Age of Social Media Article All Thumbs?
In an article entitled All Thumbs? in the July/August 2010 issue of Advancing Philanthropy, Diane Gedeon-Martin, President of The Write Source talks about the effects of texting and social media are having on preparing grant proposals.
The Write Source President Earns Master Trainer Title at 47th AFP International Conference
Diane Gedeon-Martin, President of The Write Source, was selected to participate in the Faculty Training Academy at the 47th Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) International Conference in Baltimore where she received the title of Master Trainer.
Faculty Training Academy participants understand adult learning concepts and teaching techniques including learning styles and training methods, lesson plans, ice breakers and energizers, forms of delivery, handling questions, giving directions, facilitating discussions and working with difficult trainees. Ms. Gedeon-Martin is part of a group of 179 highly qualified teachers that take leadership positions in AFP professional education programs.