OKCNP & TSET Capacity Building Grantwriting Workshop - The Grant Game Plan Intensive: From Readiness to Results
Successful grant seeking requires more than strong writing. It begins with identifying the right opportunities, preparing the organization to compete, and building a practical process for developing complete, compelling proposals.
This one-day intensive guides participants through the full grant development process, from assessing grant readiness and identifying aligned funders to developing persuasive narratives, realistic budgets, and strong supporting materials. Participants will examine what makes a proposal competitive, practice translating organizational needs and activities into funder-ready language, and learn how to avoid common weaknesses that can undermine an otherwise promising application.
The training will also introduce practical and responsible uses of artificial intelligence throughout the grant process. Participants will explore how AI can support research, brainstorming, drafting, editing, and refinement while maintaining accuracy, authenticity, confidentiality, and alignment with organizational values.
Throughout the day, participants will apply the concepts through guided exercises, discussion, and practical tools they can use in their future grant work.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the intensive, participants will be able to:
- Assess organizational readiness and identify the internal information, systems, and materials needed before pursuing grant funding.
- Evaluate potential funders and grant opportunities for alignment with organizational priorities, capacity, and timing.
- Identify the core elements of a complete and compelling grant proposal.
- Develop clear needs, impact, and program statements using funder-ready language.
- Build a realistic, mission-aligned grant budget that supports the proposed activities and narrative.
- Identify common application attachments and prepare supporting materials in advance.
- Apply a structured process for planning, drafting, reviewing, and submitting grant proposals.
- Use AI tools appropriately to support research, ideation, drafting, editing, and proposal refinement.
- Recognize ethical, accuracy, privacy, and mission-alignment considerations when using AI in grant work.
Session Dates and Locations
| Session Dates | Locations |
| Wednesday, October 14, 2026 | Donald W. Reynolds Library, 1515 West Main, Durant, OK |
| Thursday, October 22, 2026 | Exchange Board Room and Event Center, 929 W Walnut, Duncan, OK |
| Thursday, March 4, 2027 | Sarkeys Foundation, 530 E Main St, Norman, OK |
Course Outline:
- The Strategic Value of Grant Funding: Participants will examine the role grants can play in advancing organizational priorities and why successful grant seeking depends on strategy, preparation, and alignment—not simply finding and submitting more applications.
- Laying the Groundwork: Grant Readiness: Participants will learn how to identify aligned funders, build authentic funder relationships, assess internal readiness, and complete the organizational “homework” needed before beginning an application.
- Writing Grants That Get Funded: Participants will explore the elements of a compelling proposal, including strong needs and impact statements, clear program descriptions, realistic budgets, and complete supporting materials.
- Using AI in Grant Writing: Participants will consider where AI can add value during the grant process, examine practical tools for brainstorming, drafting, and editing, and discuss the ethical risks and responsibilities associated with its use.
What Participants Will Receive:
- A participant workbook with guided exercises
- Grant-readiness and planning tools
- Proposal-development worksheets and templates
- Guidance for developing needs, impact, and budget content
- An AI-supported grant workflow
- Practical prompts and guidelines for responsible AI use
Grant Writing Consultant, PhD
Julie Ann Ward, PhD, is the founder of J. Ward Solutions, a grant strategy consultancy that helps nonprofits move from reactive grant writing to more sustainable, mission-aligned funding systems. Since launching her full-time consultancy in 2023, she has helped secure more than $32 million in funding for nonprofits, educational institutions, workforce development initiatives, community-based organizations, and public-private partnerships across the country.
Known for her grounded, practical approach, Julie Ann works with organizations to strengthen grant readiness, clarify funding priorities, build long-term grants calendars, and develop compelling proposals rooted in both strategy and storytelling. Her clients work in education, health equity, workforce development, arts and culture, housing, and community development, with a particular focus on serving historically underrepresented communities.
Before founding J. Ward Solutions, Julie Ann spent more than a decade in higher education as a faculty member, researcher, administrator, and academic leader. She holds a PhD in Hispanic Languages and Literatures from the University of California, Berkeley. Her background in teaching, research, and literary translation continues to shape her work: helping organizations communicate complex ideas with clarity, credibility, and human connection.
Julie Ann was Norman, Oklahoma’s inaugural Poet Laureate (2022-26). She is an active leader in the Grant Professionals Association, where she serves as secretary of the Oklahoma Chapter and serves on the board of directors of Tulsa-based nonprofit Poetic Justice. She is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.