Today Diane Smith and Deborah Banish ventured to Jamestown for a full-day grantwriting workshop sponsored by Horizons and the ND Extension Service Center for Economic Vitality. The workshop was presented by Lynette Krenelka, Director of Distance Degree Programs at UND Grand Forks. We covered the entire process of researching funding sources, identifying programs, writing applications and developing budgets. Several of the attendees shared experiences in writing and obtaining grants. There was time to utilize specialized resources such as the Foundation Center Foundation Directory Online (available only by subscription). The information provided a good refresher for me on grantwriting and Diane also came away with a wealth of new knowledge. We had access to the online resources through midnight so we gathered plenty of information on potential grant funders for projects related to housing, accessibility, trails, youth programs, building improvements, and emergency services — to name a few. Now to find the time to proceed to the next phase and get some grant money for Rutland projects!!