UNITED WAY INITIATIVE HOSTS FREE GRANT WRITING TRAINING
- United Way
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
More than 60 nonprofit leaders and community organization staff gathered in downtown Florence for the first session of a new grant writing training series aimed at helping local groups secure funding and expand their impact.
The free workshop, offered through the Florence County Collective, reflects an effort to strengthen the region’s nonprofit sector by equipping organizations with practical, in-demand skills.
“When we began planning this year’s programming, there was clear interest from our members in strengthening their grant writing skills,” Cameron Campbell, the president of United Way of Florence County, said. “Fittingly, with the support of generous grant funding, we were able to bring that vision to life and expand the opportunity to the broader community.
Launched in 2024, the Florence County Collective brings together nonprofits, government agencies and community leaders to address key issues affecting quality of life, including education, health and financial stability. In addition to regular meetings focused on networking and collaboration, the Collective offers educational opportunities such as the grant-writing series to help organizations operate more effectively.
The session was led by Patrick Patterson, MSW, MPH, a nationally recognized grant-writing expert and president of Global Partners for Fathers and Families Consulting, LLC. Throughout his career, Patterson has helped organizations secure more than $103 million in federal, state and private foundation funding.
During the training, Patterson focused on the fundamentals of developing competitive grant proposals, including how to clearly communicate an organization’s mission, demonstrate impact and align with funder priorities.
The training is part of a three-session series that will continue April 1 and May 6 from 8:45 to 11 a.m. at St. John’s Church fellowship hall, 252 S. Dargan St. No registration is required for participants.
The series is funded through community support, including contributions from Florence County and the Duke Energy Foundation.
“We recognize that strong nonprofit organizations are essential to meeting the needs of our community,” said Kevin Yokim, Florence County administrator. “By supporting United Way and the Florence County Collective, we’re investing in a more coordinated, efficient approach to addressing challenges and improving quality of life across Florence County.”
Mindy Taylor, director of government and community relations for Duke Energy and a Florence County Collective steering committee member, said, “It’s all about bringing people together and making sure local nonprofits have what they need to keep showing up for our community.”
Campbell said continued support for the Collective will be key to sustaining similar opportunities.
“We want to continue providing resources that help our service organizations succeed,” she said. “When they are stronger, our entire community is stronger.”
Those interested in sponsoring the Florence County Collective may visit uwflorence.org/sponsorship-opportunities.
