Register: Intro to Grant Writing — How to Define the Problem

Series: The Main Street America Institute is excited to offer a special Intro to Grant Writing webinar series! In partnership with Grant Ready Kentucky, this four-session virtual webinar series covers every stage of the grant-seeking process — from assessing your grant readiness and building strong partnerships to crafting compelling proposals and creating actionable project plans. Led by expert instructor and grant writing professional Melissa Sesco Vermillion, GPC, MBA, each session is packed with practical tips, real-world examples, and interactive learning to boost your confidence and skills. Whether you’re new to grant writing or seeking to sharpen your expertise, you’ll gain the tools and insights needed to secure funding and drive your mission forward. Join us and turn your grant-writing goals into funded realities! 

Session 3: A compelling problem statement is the foundation of successful grant applications. This webinar will guide you through defining community challenges clearly and effectively, emphasizing why your organization’s need for grant funding should be about more than just money. Learn how to describe target populations, identify root causes, and back up your claims with data-driven evidence. Through real-world examples, including a case study on the affordable housing crisis, you’ll gain practical insights to strengthen your grant proposals and make your organization’s mission impossible to ignore. 

Instructor: Melissa Sesco Vermillion has extensive experience with state and federal grant writing as well as a particular interest in assisting rural nonprofits and communities achieve their goals. She has successfully written grant applications securing over $50 million in grant funding from public and private funders, and serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Grant Ready Kentucky.

Format: Intro to Grant Writing is a four-part live webinar series designed to guide Main Street leaders and place professionals through every stage of the grant-seeking process. Participation in the full series is recommended but not required. 

Schedule

• Session 1: Is Your Organization Grant-Ready? Thursday, February 6, 3:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m. ET. Learn the essential steps to position your organization for grant success. Learn more and register >
• Session 2: Find Success with Collaboration Thursday, February 13, 3:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m. ET. Gain practical strategies for building strong collaborations for successful grant applications. Learn more and register >
• Session 3: How to Define the Problem Thursday, February 20, 3:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m. ET. Tips to strengthen your grant proposals and make your organization’s mission stand out. Learn more and register >
• Session 4: Turning Ideas into Actionable Outcomes Thursday, February 27, 3:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m. ET. Discover how to demonstrate measurable impact and turn your project’s vision into reality. Learn more and register >

Members: $90 for this session | $325 for the full series 
Non-members: $100 for this session | $375 for the full series 

An Incredible Value! Similar grant-readiness workshops are typically priced at $1000 or more. Thanks to our partnership with Grant Ready Kentucky, you can gain the tools and insights needed to secure funding and drive your mission forward at an unbeatable price.

Registration: Registration is open on a rolling basis.

Credit: Completion of the full Intro to Grant Writing Series (all four webinars) counts toward MSAI’s new certification pathway. This means that both new and current MSAI participants can receive credit toward certification. Learn more here >

Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel your registration, please email msai@​mainstreet.​org. Cancellations communicated more than 14 days in advance of the first course date will be refunded in full. Cancellations occurring less than 14 days in advance of the first course date will be offered a 50% refund. Please note there is a $25.00 processing fee for any cancelled registration.

Questions? Contact msai@​mainstreet.​org