Join us for an insightful and engaging conversation with Bre’Anna Brooks, Program Officer Mississippi River Initiative at The Walton Family Foundation, where we will delve into the intricacies of finding and fostering relationships with national funders. This event is a must-attend for nonprofit professionals, grant seekers, and anyone interested in learning the best practices for building strong connections with major funding organizations. If you're new to the process or looking to enhance your existing approach, this event will give you the tools and confidence needed to connect with national funders successfully.
The workshop will be held on Wednesday, June 26 at the Quad Cities Community Foundation. Lunch and networking start at 11:00 a.m., with the conversation from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Participants will learn to:
Identify Potential Funders: Understand how to research and identify national funders that align with your organization's mission and goals.
Effective Networking Strategies: Gain insights into building a strong network with national funders through effective communication and engagement tactics.
Sustainable Relationship Building: Discover strategies for maintaining and nurturing long-term relationships with funders beyond the initial grant.
Understanding Funders' Perspectives: Gain valuable insights into what national funders like the Walton Family Foundation look for in potential grantees.
Q&A Session: Have your specific questions answered by an experienced professional in the field. Please email your questions to juanitapassno@qccommunityfoundation.org to be included in the session.
About the Speaker:
Bre’Anna Brooks, a unique grant-making professional at the Walton Family Foundation, brings a wealth of experience in philanthropy and nonprofit support. As a program officer on the Environment Program’s Mississippi River Initiative, she spearheads a multi-state portfolio, focusing on community engagement, nature-based solutions, and coastal restoration efforts. Beyond her grant-making role, Bre'Anna is a member of a 14-person Inclusion Council at Walton Enterprises Inc., contributing to the creation of an environment centered on trust, respect, and belonging.
Prior to joining the Foundation, Bre’Anna made a significant impact as a program officer for the Chesapeake Bay Trust. In this role, she led restoration and outreach grant programs that enhanced waterways and outdoor communal spaces through community-led and -inspired projects across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Bre’Anna also championed diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice efforts in her previous role. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Colorado at Boulder and is currently pursuing a graduate degree at the University of Johns Hopkins in Environmental Science and Policy with a concentration in equity.
The Community Foundation provides peer networks, training opportunities, and resources through the Center for Nonprofit Excellence to help strengthen the nonprofit sector as a connector, capacity builder, and champion for our region.