Program to support grant writers pursuing projects and programs that improve the quality of life for Uplands residents
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) has announced that its new Grant Writing Fellowship program is launching July 22 with 19 community and regional leaders selected from a competitive application process.
“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
| First Name | Organization | Position | Counties |
| Jesse Belcher | Crawford County Economic Development Corporation | Project Specialist | Crawford |
| Timber Browning | Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence County | Resource Development & Marketing Director | Lawrence |
| Emily Cook | Greene County Foundation | Community Relations Coordinator | Greene |
| Michele Evans | Owen County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development | Grant Writer | Owen |
| Kathy Goad | Linton-Stockton School Corporation | Superintendent | Greene |
| Cheryl Hamilton | Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce | Executive Director | Greene |
| Jennifer Jones | Lawrence County Economic Growth Council | Marketing Manager | Lawrence |
| Apryl Kidd | COSMOS | Director of Initiatives | Lawrence |
| Jill King | Boston International Import Export, Inc. | Human Resources Manager | Orange |
| Valerie Moon | First Chance Center | Director of Development | Orange |
| Danielle Murphy | Martin County Community Corrections | Community Corrections Director | Martin |
| Kristal Painter | Orange County Economic Development Partnership | Executive Director | Orange |
| Erin Raper | Bloomfield Elementary | Teacher | Greene |
| Stacy Sedory | Monroe County Community School Corporation | Outreach & Innovation Coordinator | Monroe |
| Katie Stout | Greene County Foundation | Program Manager | Greene |
| Katelyn Thomas | White River Valley School District | Math Teacher/Wolverine Enterprise Program Director | Greene |
| Lindsey Wade-Swift | Washington County Community Foundation | Program and Finance Manager | Washington |
| Kristen Weida | Bloomington Board of Realtors | Association Executive | Monroe |
| Andrew Woodard | Indiana University/Uplands Maker Mobile | Maker Education Specialist | Monroe |
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!”
Read more about ROI’s Grant Writing Fellowship Program.
About Regional Opportunity Initiatives
Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to advance economic and community prosperity in the 11 counties of the Indiana Uplands (Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen, and Washington counties). ROI is growing potential and possibility through a focus on advanced industry sectors, regionalism, transformative school and workforce redesign, and placemaking strategies.