I'm Kathleen Farley, the Executive Director. I've been here nearly 3 years, having started the position a few months before the park reopened and am responsible for just about everything as the only full-time staff. We currently have one part-time staff and ideally would like to be able to support that position with more hours in the short term (and benefits). I do fundraising, communications, strategic planning, grant writing, as well as program/volunteer support.

The current federal grant landscape is marked by confusion and shifts in funding priorities, with many organizations reevaluating their strategies. A likely result is increased competition for private and corporate funding. During this session, Alice Ruhnke will explore key trends in funding along with strategies to align your proposals with evolving priorities, including economic value, innovation, and long-term sustainability.

As funders increasingly prioritize economic value, nonprofits must demonstrate how their initiatives stimulate local economies, reduce public costs, or contribute to workforce development. Learn how to quantify and communicate your program’s economic impact, making your case compelling to funders seeking social investments with tangible returns.

Funders are moving away from deficit-focused narratives and toward initiatives that celebrate community strengths and capacities. This session will teach you how to craft proposals that highlight resilience, empowerment, and assets, resonating with funders interested in sustainable, community-led change.

Innovation and scalability are now key requirements for competitive grant proposals. This session will focus on designing programs that are adaptable, scalable, and replicable—demonstrating potential for broad impact and long-term sustainability.

Accountability and transparency are more critical than ever in building trust with funders. Learn how to develop advanced reporting frameworks that go beyond basic metrics, showcasing clear and transparent outcome measurements that demonstrate accountability, effectiveness, and sustainability.

In a crowded field of applications, storytelling remains a powerful tool to connect with funders on both an emotional and intellectual level. Learn to balance data-driven evidence with compelling narratives that resonate with reviewers and effectively communicate the impact of your programs.