Virginia Community Health Worker Association

Getting funded takes more than a good idea — it takes a clear strategy, a compelling story, and a plan for turning vision into action. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore the full journey of grant development, from refining your program idea to aligning it with what funders are looking for. We will discuss how to clearly articulate your mission, identify the needs your work addresses, and connect your goals to the priorities of foundations and public funding opportunities.

Participants will learn how to translate their passion and community knowledge into a structured proposal that communicates impact, feasibility, and sustainability. Along the way, we’ll talk about common pitfalls in grant writing, how to stay authentic to your organization’s mission while meeting funder expectations, and practical strategies for building relationships with funders.

This is not just a lecture—it’s a working session. Using a guided template, we will begin drafting a real proposal together step-by-step. By the end of the workshop, participants will walk away with a strong proposal framework already started, practical tools they can use again and again, and greater confidence in their ability to pursue funding for their work.

Whether you are new to grant writing or looking to strengthen your approach, this session will help you move from idea to actionable proposal.