This registration page may not work well in Internet Explorer. Please use a different browser to complete your registration.

Two-Day Grant Writing Training: Lexington

February 25, 2026 9:00 AM - February 26, 2026 4:00 PM (EST)

Description

KNN and Grant Ready Kentucky are proud to present this two-day grant workshop. 

This training provides a practical, step by step foundation in grant writing designed for small, rural, and under resourced organizations, guiding participants through the full lifecycle of a competitive grant proposal from readiness to submission. 

The training covers grant fundamentals, writing style and clarity, how to read and respond to grant solicitations, and detailed instruction on every major proposal section including the statement of need, implementation plan, evaluation, budget, sustainability, and abstract, while emphasizing alignment with funder priorities and review criteria. Participants also learn how to plan projects strategically before organizing proposals, identify funding opportunities, build partnerships, strengthen competitiveness, manage logistics, and responsibly use AI as a support tool for drafting and review, with real world examples and federal grant guidance used throughout to reinforce best practices and reviewer expectations.

Special bonus on the second day of training: Grant Ready Kentucky is proud to host the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development for a Q&A on the new state GRANT match program. Learn how to leverage federal funding to strengthen your Kentucky community.

Event details: 

  • Lunch will be provided on both days (You are welcome to bring your own coffee and breakfast.)
  • Participants should plan to bring a laptop to follow along with course materials
  • Dates: Wednesday, February 25 and Thursday, February 26 
  • Times: 9am - 4pm ET each day, with check-in opening at 8:30 am each day

Day One will cover: 

  • Introduction & Basics: Writing Style, AI in Grant Writing, Proposal Planning
  • Key Proposal Sections: Need/Problem, Implementation Plan (Logic Models, Outcomes, Objectives, Methods), Timeline, Evaluation
  • Understanding Grant Guidance

Day Two will cover: 

  • Budgeting
  • Abstracts
  • Sustainability
  • Finding Funding Opportunities
  • Partnerships
  • Making It Competitive
  • Grant Ready Kentucky is proud to host the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development for a Q&A on the new state GRANT match program. Learn how to leverage federal funding to strengthen your Kentucky community.

Here's what past participants are saying: 

“This was one of the most practical and well-paced trainings I’ve attended on the grant writing process. Whether you’re brand new to grants or looking to sharpen your skills, this workshop offers valuable tools and guidance, especially for navigating competitive grant applications. Highly recommend for any teams seeking funding for new initiatives.” - Audrey Harper, Ed.D., Green River Regional Educational Cooperative

About the instructor: 

Melissa Vermillion is the Chief Strategy Officer at Grant Ready Kentucky, a nonprofit committed to enhancing grant readiness and capacity-building across the Commonwealth. With a rich background in higher education and community services, Melissa dedicated over 14 years to Hazard Community and Technical College, where she served as Director of Grants and Contracts and Dean of Institutional Effectiveness Planning and Research.

An educator in grant writing since 2016, Melissa is among only 14 individuals in Kentucky to earn the Grant Professional Certification from the Grant Professionals Certification Institute, marking her as a pioneer within the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). She is also an Approved GPA Trainer.  Her ability to secure funding is demonstrated by her success in obtaining almost $50 million through federal, state, and private foundation grants.

Before her tenure at the college, Melissa was the Director for Aging Programs in Perry County, where she significantly increased program funding, tripling resources through her grant writing and fundraising efforts. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA from Morehead State University and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Adult and Higher Education at the same institution.  Melissa has been married to Kevin Vermillion for 37 years and is a proud mother to two adult children, Rebekah and Alex. Her extensive experience and dedication continue to drive her commitment to advancing grant readiness and resource accessibility for under-resourced organizations throughout Kentucky.

Pricing

KNN Members: $110

Potential Members: $160

Not yet a KNN member? Join now and SAVE!

View Event

Contact Information

Kentucky Nonprofit Network
We're sorry. No registrations are currently available. You may wish to contact the event organizer for assistance.
{{ vm.EventInfo.ErrorMessage }}

Select Registration Options

Edit
{{vm.regWarningMessage}}
{{vm.regAlertMessage}}

Exhibitor Opportunities

Name Price Att Qty
{{ et.Name }}
{{ et.IncludedAttendeesCount }} {{ et.AttendeeRegType.RemainingPerType }} Remaining {{ et.AttendeeRegType.RemainingPerType * -1 }} on Waiting List {{ et.AttendeeRegType.RemainingPerType * -1 }} Over Limit
{{ et.Remaining }} Remaining
 Sold out

Attendee Registration Options Total Remaining: {{ vm.EventInfo.VacantSpotsPerEvent }}

Waiting List Available
{{ vm.stats.totalAttendeesCount }} Registered , {{ vm.OverallOverAmount() }} on Waiting List , {{ vm.OverallOverAmount() }} Over Limit
Name Price Qty
{{ rt.Name }}
{{ rt.IsMemberOnly ? ' (Members Only)' : '' }}
Limit: {{ rt.LimitPerPurchase }}
Included Attendees: {{ rt.AttendeesCountPerOneRegistration }}
{{rt.Price | currency }} {{rt.PriceAfterDiscount | currency }} {{ rt.Price | currency }}
{{ rt.RemainingPerType }} Remaining
{{ rt.RemainingPerType * -1 }} on Waiting List
{{ rt.RemainingPerType * -1 }} Over Limit

{{'[[Sponsorship]] Opportunities' | localizeString:'['}}

Name Price Att Qty
{{ st.Name }}
{{ st.IncludedAttendeesCount }} {{ st.AttendeeRegType.RemainingPerType }} Remaining {{ st.AttendeeRegType.RemainingPerType * -1 }} on Waiting List {{ st.AttendeeRegType.RemainingPerType * -1 }} Over Limit
{{ st.Remaining }} Remaining
 Sold out
Continue

Registration Information

Edit

Exhibitor - {{er.Name}}

Exhibitor #{{ $index + 1 }}

Total: {{exhibitor.TotalPrice | currency}} {{ exhibitor.IsBenefit ? "- Included as a Benefit" : exhibitor.IsDiscounted ? "- Discounts have been applied" : ""}}
Exhibitor Directory
Primary Contact
Booth Information
Additional Information
Additional Items

Attendee - {{er.Name}}

{{ att.getAttendeeTerm(vm.EventSettings.AdditionalAttendeesTerm, $index) }} #{{ att.getAttendeeIndexDisplay(vm.EventSettings.AdditionalAttendeesTerm, $index) }}

Total: {{att.TotalPrice | currency}} {{att.DiscountMessage | localizeString:'['}}
A No Show fee is being assessed for {{fee.EventName}} on {{fee.EventStartLocalTimeString}}.
More Information Less information

Address

Phone

Additional Information
Event Sessions

{{slot.Name}}

{{$select.selected.SessionName}}
(full)
{{slot.SelectedSession.SessionDescription + (slot.HasFees ? " (Price: " + (slot.PriceTotal | currency) +")" : "")}}
Additional Items

{{'[[Sponsorship+]]' | localizeString:'['}} - {{er.Name}}

{{'[[Sponsor]]' | localizeString:'['}} #{{ $index + 1 }}

Total: {{sponsor.Price | currency}}
Continue

Additional Items

Edit

{{(vm.EventInfo.Terms.Donation || "Fundraising") + " Opportunities"}}

Campaign Name Item Description Amount
{{item.CampaignName}} {{item.Description + (item.ShowMinimumPrice && item.MinimumPrice ? " (Min: " + item.MinimumPrice + ")" : "")}}
Continue

Complete Registration

Edit

Terms & Conditions

No Show Policy

{{ vm.EventInfo.EventSettings.NoShowPolicy }}

Enter Promo Code

Billing Contact

Registration Protection
This event is synced to a webinar so no confirmation email will be sent from GrowthZone.

Thank you to our {{'[[Sponsor+]]' | localizeString:'['}}