Katherine FH Heart, GPC, M.Ed. is a credentialed grant professional and nationally approved grant trainer. She has developed grant curricula for nonprofits, municipalities, colleges and universities, United Ways, faith-based, and national associations. Contact her for customized virtual and in-person events.

GRANTS CAFE: Katherine organized and hosted a virtual presentation by Morgen Cheshire at Cheshire Law Group on the topic, “Legal Briefing on Major Changes to PA Law Impacting Nonprofits, March 28, 2024, 12:00-1:00 PM. She is the managing editor of PAnonprofitlaw.com, a legal resource offering tools and templates for PA nonprofit organizations.

GRANTS CAFE: “GPA CONFERENCE PANEL” November 29, 2023, 12:00-1:00 PM held in person (not recorded) at Carnegie Library of Homestead. Katherine facilitated panel members to share our favorite takeaways from the Grant Professionals Association Annual Summit along with the Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership Biannual Summit. Panelists included: Hannah Sherer, GPC (Managing Director, Procopia Consulting), Melissa Firman (Foundation & Government Grants at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh); Katherine F.H. Heart, GPC, M.Ed. (Heart Resources, LLC); and Chris Crytzer (Crytzer Communications). Learn more about the GPA at https://www.grantprofessionals.org and GPNP at https://forbesfunds.org/gpnp.

GRANTS FOR OPERATING SUPPORT WEBINAR for West New York Finger Lakes GPA Chapter - November 16, 2023, 12:00-1:00 PM. Contact jpotter@jpottergrants.com for a link to attend.

FUNDRAISING AND GRANT CAPACITY-BUILDING FOR SMALL NONPROFITS at GPNP SUMMIT - November 10, 2023, 2:30-3:30 PM, Co-Presented a 60-minute workshop with Grants Cafe colleagues, Laurie Anderson, GPC and Chris Crytzer, CFRE.

GRANT REPORT WRITING WEBINAR - October 23, 2023, for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Geared to all levels of experience. Participants learn about common grant reporting requirements, typical questions and information to prepare, a discussion and guidance about how to report on difficult situations and wrapping up with a checklist for improving grant reports. 

VIRTUAL GPC Study Group by the GRANTS CAFE: July 7-September 1, 2023, Weekly on Fridays 9:30-10:30 AM for local and national grant professionals currently preparing for the GPC exam. (See sidebar about the GPC credential.) The format is a series of virtual group discussions about scenarios and navigating exam questions based on the grant competencies and skills tested by the GPC exam. The organizer is Katherine FH Heart, GPC, M.Ed. who earned the GPC credential 10 years ago and has also led GPC Study Groups in 2016 and 2018, and she is joined by GPC Co-Facilitators.  

VIRTUAL GRANTS CAFE: “Build Your Grant Skills & Earn the GPC Credential” April 26, 2023, 12:00-1:00 PM. What are your goals for your work in the grant profession? Learn how to attain the GPC (Grant Professional Certified). This session provides an overview of the Grant Competencies and Skills; GPC Eligibility, Application, and Exam; Cost and Scholarship Period; Upcoming GPC Study Group; and (5) Career and Business Benefits. Katherine FH Heart, GPC, M.Ed. earned the GPC credential 10 years ago and has 21 years of experience as a grant business owner.  

GRANTS CAFE - Katherine is a Co-Organizer and GPC Ambassador for this free grant professional development meetup group with “hot grant topics, speakers and networking” held the last Wednesday of each month (except August and December) from 12:00-1:00 PM (Eastern). Discussions and resources are also shared in Grants Cafe’s private Facebook group. Formerly the GPA-Western PA Chapter, events were moved to the meetup platform to make free public participation available to everyone with an interest in learning about grants across all affiliations and the ability to pay. The meetup fee is underwritten by sponsorships from Heart Resources LLC and other consulting business members. In-person meetings were suspended during the pandemic and virtual group meetings via Zoom are announced by mid-month. Some 2023 sessions will be held in person in Pittsburgh PA. To prevent security breaches, only Grants Café members who RSVP are admitted to virtual sessions and the Facebook group. Join our 760+ members to receive monthly notifications at https://www.meetup.com/grants-professionals-western-pa. 

Other recent events…

GRANT WRITING COHORT sponsored by the Nonprofits LEAD Program at Marietta College, OH, and the United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley. Katherine provided six full days of in-person grant training with virtual coaching designed to build grant competencies/skills that result in new funding for capacity-building projects in a nine-county rural and small-town region of Ohio and West Virginia. Courses were presented in Vienna and Parkersburg, West Virginia.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY, COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM:

Courses 100-105 have been reviewed and accepted as education programs for GPCI certified individuals and candidates for the GPC certification by the Grant Professionals Certification Institute

The courses listed above are Accepted Education Programs for GPCI certified individuals and candidates for the GPC certification by the Grant Professionals Certification Institute in 2022.

NONPROFITS LEAD CONFERENCE, MARIETTA COLLEGE in MARIETTA, OH, May 25, 2022. At this regional conference, Katherine provided a virtual overview of her upcoming grant training/coaching cohort in partnership with the Marietta Nonprofits LEAD Program and the United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley.

VIRTUAL GRANTS CAFE: “Re-Discovering Total Resources for Grant Budgets” February 23, 2022, 12:00-1:00 PM. In this virtual session, Katherine shared steps and tools that she has developed and used to improve the sustainability of program budgets for grant proposals in conjunction with Discover Total Resources: A Guide for Nonprofits. The guide was popularly distributed to hundreds of thousands of nonprofits by Mellon Financial from 1985 to 2000 and still carries timeless advice. Place the full title in your browser to get a free PDF of the guide. This session addressed GPCI Competencies and Skills #3.07 (Identify existing community resources that aid in developing programs and projects) and #4.09 (Identify sources of cash, in-kind, and or leveraged matches for project budgets). Attendees may contact us to request the Excel budget worksheets.

VIRTUAL GRANTS CAFE: “GPA ANNUAL CONFERENCE PANEL” November 24, 2021, 12:00-1:00 PM. Panel members shared our favorite takeaways from the Virtual Annual Conference of the Grant Professionals Association on Nov 3-6, 2021. Panelists: Melissa Firman (Foundation & Government Grants at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh); Susan Jacobs Jablow, GPC (Grants Coordinator at Jewish Family and Community Services of Pittsburgh); Katherine F.H. Heart, GPC, M.Ed. (Heart Resources, LLC); and Hannah Sherer, GPC (Managing Director, Procopia Consulting). Learn more about the GPA at https://www.grantprofessionals.org.

VIRTUAL GRANTS CAFE: “Grant Readiness-How New Nonprofits Can Get a Good Start” October 27, 2021, 12:00-1:00 PM. A GPC and CFRE shared suggestions and resources for success in the first 1-3 years of fundraising and getting ready for grants, along with insights on pivotal changes through the pandemic and DEI movement. Katherine FH Heart, GPC, M.Ed. (Grant Professional Certified) and Chris Crytzer, CFRE, MA (Certified Fund-Raising Executive) have worked for nonprofits as program, training, and communications managers, and as fundraising and grant consultants for a combined total of 75 years. View the recording at https://vimeo.com/656330794 and Contact us for the worksheets.

VIRTUAL GRANTS CAFE: “Ask a Grant Professional” Panel, August 28, 2021, 12:00-1:00 PM. Katherine along with Laurie Anderson and Amy Scanlon (Facilitator) responded to and discussed challenging grant questions with members. (Unrecorded to protect confidential information shared by participants.)

VIRTUAL GRANTS CAFE: Building Grant Proposals for Social Change: Interview with Barbara Floersch, Author of You Have a Hammer, February 24, 2021, 12:00-1:00 PM. Katherine interviewed Barbara about her new book You Have a Hammer and what makes it different from other books about grants on the market. She discussed examples of lasting social impact through grants work and answered questions from participants. Katherine gave away a free copy of the book.

HOW TO BECOME A GPA APPROVED TRAINER, January 14, 2021: Katherine presented a one-hour webinar for the Grant Professionals Association providing practical how-to information for experienced grant professionals to prepare for and apply to become a GPA Approved Trainer along with discussing the career and business benefits. Free to GPA members, $49 non-members. Request a recording at https://grantprofessionals.org.

GRANTS FOR MISSION SUSTAINABILITY: Katherine presented a series of virtual grant training and proposal coaching sessions to mission sustainability cohorts in the Sierra Pacific and SW Washington State Synods of the ELCA in Jun-Dec 2020.

GPA ANNUAL CONFERENCE PANEL at the Virtual Grants Cafe, November 25, 2020: Panel members presented our favorite takeaways from the Virtual Annual Conference of the Grant Professionals Association on Nov 4-6, 2020. Presenters included Laurie Anderson, GPC (L. Anderson Consulting, LLC), Melissa Firman (Foundation and Government Grants Manager, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh), and Katherine F,H. Heart, GPC, M.Ed. (Heart Resources, LLC). Learn more about the GPA at https://www.grantprofessionals.org.  

GOVERNMENT GRANTS DURING THE PANDEMIC at the Virtual Grants Cafe, October 28, 2020: The panel discussed challenges and opportunities in meeting community development needs with grants during the pandemic. GEDTF (PA Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund) grant awards were recently announced by State Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Jr. (43rd Senatorial District) and State Representative Austin Davis (35th Legislative District) including $100,000 to the Carnegie of Homestead for installation of an ADA compliant elevator in the Music Hall. Carol Shrieve, Executive Director shared the project, and Sen. Costa and Rep. Davis discussed how they worked with CoH and other recipients - what has been different during the pandemic - and the possible impact on community development grants. Katherine organized and facilitated the panel discussion.

CONNECTION BETWEEN COVID, GRANT STRESS, AND ETHICAL GRANTSMANSHIP, September 10, 2020: Katherine provided this virtual presentation for the Central Ohio GPA Chapter in Columbus.

COPING WITH GRANT STRESS & BURNOUT at the Virtual Grants Cafe: June 24, 2020. Presentation with follow-up and resources on the Private Facebook Group. Managing stress can be a difficult part of our work as grant professionals. The stress response can positively activate us to be focused and productive for short grant deadlines. When repeated and prolonged, this same response can produce distress and burnout. Katherine F.H. Heart, GPC, M.Ed. will discuss stressful grant situations and stress reduction methods that can be practiced in our work and life situations, and resources for further study.

VIRTUAL INTERVIEW available at https://www.grantepreneur.com/about-the-author: Katherine’s virtual guest lecture was recorded as a Q & A interview about her book GRANTEPRENEUR and her best tips for students to getting started in a grant career and business with Liberty Ferda, Instructor, Grant Proposal Writing, English Department, University of Pittsburgh, May 21, 2020.

GRANTS CAFE, November 27, 2019: GPA members presented our takeaways from the Grant Professionals Association Annual Conference on Nov 7-9, 2019. Panelists include: Laurie Anderson, GPC (L. Anderson Consulting, LLC), Hannah Sherer, GPC (Procopia), Katherine FH Heart, GPC, Heart Resources, LLC). The panelists are the only individuals in Western PA to have earned the Grant Professionals Certified (GPC) credential from the Grant Professionals Certification Institute (https://www.grantcredential.org). Learn about the GPA at https://www.grantprofessionals.org.  

GRANTEPRENEUR BOOK EVENT AND WORKSHOPS, Nov 12, 2019: Two free public workshops were presented for 17 individuals who attended one or both workshops sponsored by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh-Nonprofit Resource Center at the Main Branch in Oakland. CRASH COURSE IN GRANTS (aka “IS THERE A GRANT FOR THAT?”) - This workshop is designed to answer broad public questions about grants as well as discussing other funding sources. Bring your ideas and questions to learn more about whether your nonprofit, business, creative project, community fundraiser, or personal or family need may be eligible for a grant. Take away your one-page “get started” plan, and resource list. BUILDING A GRANT CAREER AND BUSINESS - Learn about what is involved in starting and growing a grant career and business from the author of the highly endorsed, award-winning book Grantepreneur: Getting Started in a Grant Career and Business (Red Engine Press, 2016). Your interests and skills may be a fit with this opportunity if you care about a special cause and want to be involved in improving your community, are looking for meaningful employment in the nonprofit sector, or seeking self-employment with flexibility and financial potential. Katherine shares her experience as a grant business owner (with the upsides and avoidable mistakes) including 10-Steps to Get Hired (and Rehired) and Strategies for Start-up Freelancers (Chapters 5-6). Take away an informational PowerPoint, your one-page “get started” plan, and resource list.

ADVANCED PROPOSAL WRITING SERIES, October 8, 15, 22 2019 (All Sessions from 9:30 am-3:30 pm totaling 15 contact hours) sponsored by Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh-Nonprofit Resource Center. Katherine presented the series to 18 participants with 3 individuals earning a competency-based Certificate of Completion for attending all sessions and completing a competitive grant application and budget following the Common Grant Guidelines.

FEDERAL GRANT CASE PRESENTATION (HEALTHY PEOPLE 2020 COMMUNITY INNOVATIONS GRANT: STEEL VALLEY WELLNESS COLLABORATIVE) for 17 students in Grant and Proposal Writing (English Composition, 1400) at University of Pittsburgh, October 22, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm.

VIRTUAL GPC STUDY GROUPS: HOW TO PLAN, FACILITATE, AND PARTICIPATE IN A LIVE NATIONAL LEARNING EXPERIENCE - Webinar on August 21, 2019, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm for the Grant Professionals Association, Co-presented by Katherine F.H. Heart, GPC, M.Ed. and JulieAnna Carsen, GPC to 58 participants. GPA members may access the webinar at no cost by logging into view webinar topics under Resources. Non-GPA members can access the webinar for a modest fee at https://anyhows.com/knowledge/gpc-virtual-study-groups-how-to-plan-facilitate-and-participate/.

ALLEGHENY PARTNERS FOR OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME (APOST) - Katherine presented a grant workshop series totaling 8 hours sponsored by the United Way of Southwestern PA. PART 1-INTRO TO GRANT PROPOSAL WRITING FOR OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMS, April 5, 2019, Assisted youth programs in developing a preliminary plan, proposal, and estimated budget to seek grant funding for out-of-school time programs. PART 2-FINDING BEST FIT FUNDERS, DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS, AND REPORTING OUTCOMES, May 3, 2019, Assisted youth programs in: understanding funding strategies, research methods and free resources for finding and applying for grant funding; building relationships with staff at foundations, corporate and government agencies; and monitoring post-award programs, solving challenging program implementation issues, and writing grant reports.

GRANT STAFF TRAINING - National Network of Libraries of Medicine Mid-Atlantic Region at the University of Pittsburgh. Katherine consulted with the Executive Director on strategies to improve grant-making processes and presented a one-day staff grant workshop for program officers with a multi-state federal program on Nov 29, 2018.

ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS FOR GRANT CAREER AND BUSINESS SUCCESS at the 20th Annual GPA Conference at the Swissotel, Chicago, IL. Katherine presented her workshop on Nov 8, 2018 and facilitated the GPA Approved Trainer Program Discussion Den on Nov 9. More than 800 people attended the conference, and about 135 grant pros attended the two sessions presented by Katherine and her co-panelist Lucy Morgan from MyFedTrainer. Learn more and join the GPA at https://www.grantprofessionals.org.

ADVANCED PROPOSAL WRITING SERIES, October 2, 9, 16, 2018, sponsored by Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh-Nonprofit Resource Center. Katherine presented this advanced course to 22 individuals representing 16 nonprofit organizations, schools, and university programs. The three one-day grant seminars included in-depth training and proposal coaching focused on each developing aspects of a Common Grant Application: Planning Multi-Funder Proposals, and Polishing Organizational Capacity and Need Statements; Developing an Effective Program/Project Design; and Building a Project Budget & Sustainability Plan. Participants received electronic tools for their agency. Those attending all sessions and completing a grant application earned a Certificate of Completion from Katherine F.H. Heart, GPC, M.Ed. as an Approved Trainer by the Grant Professionals Association. Check our events for the next Advanced Proposal Writing Series in 2019.

GRANTS CAFE - June 27, 2018, Katherine presented highlights of her recent presentations on Proposal Writing for Operating Support to 18 participants. 

BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL GRANT CONSULTING BUSINESS, June 22, 2018, 10:00 am-3:00 pm workshop presented by Katherine at Willow Grove near Philadelphia, sponsored by Southeastern PA Chapter of the Grant Professionals Association. Participants can Contact Katherine to purchase a signed copy of Grantepreneur at a 20% discount during and after the workshop. 

BASIC GRANT PROPOSAL WRITING, June 13, 2018, 9:30 am-3:30 pm at Squirrel Hill Library, sponsored by Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh-Nonprofit Resource Center. Katherine F.H. Heart, GPC, M.Ed. presented this one-day workshop for 23 individuals from 16 small to medium-size nonprofit organizations, 2 start-ups, and 2 consultants who were new to grant seeking. Call the sponsor at (412) 622-6277 to be notified of the next workshop.

How to Build Grant Skills & Earn the GPC Credential at the GRANTS CAFE - May 30, 2018 from 12:00-1:30 pm, co-presented with Laurie Anderson, GPC and Hannah Sherer, GPC. Learn about the GPC Study Group at www.meetup.com/grants-professionals-western-pa.

LGA GRANT SEEKERS WORKSHOP, May 15, 2018, 9:00 am-4:00 pm, sponsored by Local Government Academy. Back by popular demand, this workshop assisted 20 local elected officials, public employees, nonprofits and citizen advisors with preparing grant proposals to public and private funders for municipal projects and communities. Located at CCAC West Hills Center. More info at http://localgovernmentacademy.org/2018-grant-writing-workshop/.

COMMUNICATING THE BEST CASE FOR OPERATING SUPPORT IN GRANT PROPOSALS, Presented by Katherine F.H. Heart, GPC, M.Ed. and David Tinker, CFRE at 2018 AFP/PPGC Emerging Philanthropy Conference on April 26, 2018. 

GRANT JOBS & GIGS at the GRANTS CAFE - Katherine co-presented this "hot grant topic" with Brian Rhindress to 17 professionals on April 25, 2018, 12:00-1:30 pm. See this description and past sessions at www.meetup.com/grants-professionals-western-pa.

GPC VIRTUAL STUDY GROUP facilitated by Katherine F.H. Heart, GPC, M.Ed., Feb 9 through Apr 13, 2018, Fridays 3:00-4:00 pm (Eastern). Members of the Grant Professionals Association from across the U.S. discussed grant scenarios and competencies in preparation for the Grant Professional Certified (GPC) exam. Any GPA member who was eligible for (or considering) this career move was invited to attend. Contact us for info.

GRANT REPORT WRITING - April 10, 2018 at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh-Nonprofit Resource Center. Geared to all levels of experience. Participants learned about and discussed: common grant reporting requirements; typical questions and information to get ready; reporting on difficult situations; and a checklist for improving grant reports. 

GRANT SEEKING FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS for the LOVE YOUR SPACE COHORT - March 14, 2018 sponsored by The Forbes Funds, facilitated by Green Building Alliance and Palo Alto Group. Katherine led a discussion and exercise, "Pre-Proposal and Letters of Inquiry for Capital Projects" with 15 organizations. 

Contact Katherine to request a list of earlier grant training presentations.