Capacity Building and Grant Writing Workshop Held in Tallahassee

City of Tallahassee Grants Manager Wanda Whitehead, left, with HUD trainer and Faith and Opportunity Initiatives Senior Project Officer Dr. B.J. Douglas. HUD Jacksonville Field Office Director Alesia Scott-Ford addresses the audience during a Capacity Building and Grant Writing Workshop in Tallahassee.

The City of Tallahassee partnered with HUD's office for Faith Based & Opportunity Initiatives and HUD's Jacksonville Field Office to convene a Capacity Building and Grant Writing Workshop to help those in the fields of housing, development and redevelopment learn the basics of grant writing, as well as discuss aligning and leveraging resources to build community assets to fuel comprehensive programs.

Nearly 200 participants of for profit- and non-profit organizations from Leon and adjacent counties - including those impacted by Hurricane Michael last October - participated in this workshop on September 19 and 20. The workshop had the support from U.S. Representative Neal Dunn (FL-2) and Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey. HUD's Dr. B.J. Douglass facilitated and provided instruction in grant writing and highlighted funding opportunities and programs offered through HUD's Community Planning and Development Division, and other agencies.

This training was designed to develop and refine skills, systems, structures and to strengthen organizational capacity facilitating stronger mission, focus and goals to impact their operating areas.  The event also covered strategy development that can better leverage and align resources to build community assets increasing the likelihood of successful comprehensive projects involving partnerships among all levels of government and the private sector.

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