Nineteen Community and Regional Leaders Accepted into New Indiana Uplands Grant Writing Fellowship

Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) has announced that its new Grant Writing Fellowship program launched July 22 with 19 community and regional leaders selected from a competitive application process (including LCEGC's Marketing Manager, Jennifer Jones).

“It was clear from the quality of applications we received that people in the Indiana Uplands are eager for this type of fellowship program,” said Lisa Abbott, ROI Vice President of Economic and Community Development. “We are thrilled to welcome this talented group and look forward to the different perspectives they will bring as we work collectively to enhance grant writing skills and positively impact lives in the Indiana Uplands.”

In the 10-month program, participants will learn to effectively develop compelling grant applications by gathering data, developing budgets, and finding funding opportunities. In addition, fellows will receive professional development on a variety of related topics and form a network of fellow grant writers. Upon completing the program, fellows will each receive $1,000 stipends, plus up to $1,000 in matching dollars for successful grant applications fellows submit and win using their new skills.

Indiana Uplands Grant Writing Fellows, 2021-2022
Jesse Belcher - Crawford County Economic Development Corporation
Timber Browning - Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence County
Emily Cook - Greene County Foundation
Michele Evans - Owen County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development
Kathy Goad - Linton-Stockton School Corporation
Cheryl Hamilton - Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce
Jennifer Jones - Lawrence County Economic Growth Council
Apryl Kidd - COSMOS
Jill King - Boston International Import Export, Inc.
Valerie Moon - First Chance Center
Danielle Murphy - Martin County Community Corrections
Kristal Painter - Orange County Economic Development Partnership
Erin Raper - Bloomfield Elementary
Stacy Sedory - Monroe County Community School Corporation
Katie Stout - Greene County Foundation
Katelyn Thomas - White River Valley School District
Lindsey Wade-Swift - Washington County Community Foundation
Kristen Weida - Bloomington Board of Realtors
Andrew Woodard - Indiana University/Uplands Maker Mobile

ROI’s Grant Writing Fellowship was developed to help seek and secure grant funding for projects and programs that can strengthen communities in the 11-county Uplands region. Fellows applied for the program in May and commit to providing grant writing services to their community through their organizations for a minimum of two years.

“We’re grateful and excited to partner with a variety of organizations with this new grant writing fellowship,” added Abbott. “Participating fellows will learn and gain insights from Purdue Extension, Indiana University, Indiana Office of Community & Rural Affairs, Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority, Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Indiana Philanthropy Alliance, as well as many entities and nonprofits that have successfully secured grant funding. We look forward to more collaborations as our program continues. We can’t wait to get started!”