Image: The Office of Community Affairs was honored to author and host a grant writing training for Fresno-area nonprofit organizations seeking guidance on raising program funding. The training welcomed more than 20 Fresno nonprofit staff members interested in learning about grant writing. (Pictured: Grant Writing 101 workshop participants and OCA team members.)

Often, nonprofit organizations expand services by applying for and receiving philanthropic or government grant funding. Some organizations have dedicated grant writers who seek funding opportunities and author proposals. However, for many small and newly founded organizations, the addition of a full-time staffer for grant writing is out of reach. For many nonprofits, organization staff or volunteer board members must take the lead on grant writing without formal training.

Jatan Kaur, record keeper for Fresno-based Hidden Wealth, knows the challenges organizations face when it comes to fund raising. “For our organization, the lack of knowledge inhibited our organization from possibly receiving available funding. Which pushes back the services we are trying to provide,” said Kaur.

Several Fresno-area organizations reached out to the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs (OCA) seeking information to assist with grant writing. “Daily, our city nonprofit organizations are providing vital services and activities for our most vulnerable community members. Recognizing the value these organizations provide to our city, our team was pleased help,” shared OCA Asian Pacific Islander Liaison, Sandra Lee.

OCA leads grant working 101 training
In May, the OCA team authored a grant writing presentation and offered a free, in-person workshop to nearly 20 Fresno-area nonprofit leaders. The OCA-hosted workshop provided basic grant-related information including:

• Grant terminology
• Tips on researching funding opportunities aligned with an organizations’ mission
• Benefits and considerations to keep in mind
• Applying for city of Fresno funding opportunities
• Effectively answering grant questions

With the training the OCA teams’ goal was to ensure nonprofit organizations had the tools they needed to start applying for philanthropic and government funding. McNight Thao, volunteer board member of A Hopeful Encounter, a Fresno area organization providing youth leadership training for underserved Southeast Asians, attended the workshop. “The information that the workshop provided was very clear and that gave us a level of confidence to do our own research and start the initial drafting of a grant proposal,” shared Thao.

For information on potential future workshops, please contact the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs at [email protected].

Main: May 3, 2023- Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer shares a welcome message to Lawless Elementary second graders visiting City Hall. 

Bus Image: May 3, 2023- Fresno Unified School District buses arrive at Fresno City Hall transporting Lawless Elementary second graders and their teachers. 

The Office of Community Affairs (OCA) and the Planning and the Development Department teamed up to welcome 90 Lawless Elementary second grade students to City Hall. Lawless Elementary teacher, Mrs. Rocio Hernandez reached out to the OCA about the possibility of coordinating a school trip to City Hall to provide students with an up-close experience that would enhance their classroom instruction.

“Our students are learning about how government works and how it influences what happens in our country, city and neighborhoods. Having the opportunity to visit City Hall and meet the people who work there, especially our city’s mayor was an amazing experience for our students,” shared Ms. Hernandez.

Civic engagement with a kids’ point of view
The OCA authored a second-grade student-friendly city government presentation highlighting Fresno’s strong mayor municipal government. Lawless students learned about the roles and responsibilities for several city leaders including the mayor, city manager, council, attorney and clerk.

Students also got a glimpse of the city planner role. The Planning and Development Department organized an activity featuring oversized Lawless Elementary aerial neighborhood maps. For the hands-on project, students identified several key map destinations including their school, house and favorite neighborhood spots. They also ‘planned’ their neighborhood by adding tiny stickers and models representing stores, bike paths, street cafes, parks, tree paths and others.

Hands-on activity introduces youth to city planning
Planning Manager Sophia Pagoulatos and her team organized the planning activity. “Many times, careers, like city planning, are foreign concepts to students. Being introduced to these as a child opens their minds to greater future possibilities. And it’s important to make it fun and interactive,” said Pagoulatos.

The OCA used this opportunity to expand on its civic engagement goals to also include our city’s youth. Including youth enrichment services and activities in our city functions is among Mayor Dyer’s One Fresno priorities.

“It’s so important that we provide opportunities for students to see themselves in places like city hall—where they might otherwise not have access. This helps them see themselves in these positions and instills in them the thought that they too can be our city’s next leaders,” shared Deputy Mayor, Matthew Grundy.

Pictured: OCA Immigrant Affairs Liaison, Alma Martinez; Paul Aurora Singh, Desi Kitchen owner and OCA Indian Community Liaison, Harjinder Saini at Desi Kitchen

Often, nonprofit organizations expand services by applying for and receiving philanthropic or government grant funding. Some organizations have dedicated grant writers who seek funding opportunities and author proposals. However, for many small and newly founded organizations, the addition of a full-time staffer for grant writing is out of reach. For many nonprofits, organization staff or volunteer board members must take the lead on grant writing without formal training.

Jatan Kaur, record keeper for Fresno-based Hidden Wealth, knows the challenges organizations face when it comes to fund raising. “For our organization, the lack of knowledge inhibited our organization from possibly receiving available funding. Which pushes back the services we are trying to provide,” said Kaur.

Several Fresno-area organizations reached out to the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs (OCA) seeking information to assist with grant writing. “Daily, our city nonprofit organizations are providing vital services and activities for our most vulnerable community members. Recognizing the value these organizations provide to our city, our team was pleased help,” shared OCA Asian Pacific Islander Liaison, Sandra Lee.

OCA leads grant working 101 training
In May, the OCA team authored a grant writing presentation and offered a free, in-person workshop to nearly 20 Fresno-area nonprofit leaders. The OCA-hosted workshop provided basic grant-related information including:

• Grant terminology
• Tips on researching funding opportunities aligned with an organizations’ mission
• Benefits and considerations to keep in mind
• Applying for city of Fresno funding opportunities
• Effectively answering grant questions

With the training the OCA teams’ goal was to ensure nonprofit organizations had the tools they needed to start applying for philanthropic and government funding. McNight Thao, volunteer board member of A Hopeful Encounter, a Fresno area organization providing youth leadership training for underserved Southeast Asians, attended the workshop. “The information that the workshop provided was very clear and that gave us a level of confidence to do our own research and start the initial drafting of a grant proposal,” shared Thao.

For information on potential future workshops, please contact the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs at [email protected].