Welcome and Business Announcements (8:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.)

SHOW US THE MONEY, PART I (9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.) Government Funders’ Panel – Federal and State agencies that make or pass-through grants will discuss federal funding resources, highlighting changes from past years.

Panelists representing:
Governor’s Office on Crime Control and Prevention
Maryland Arts Council
Maryland Energy Administration
National Science Foundation
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
U.S. Department of Education
U.S. Department of Labor

Speakers will remain so audience members can ask specific questions immediately following the plenary session.

Research Grant Opportunities
This session will provide detailed information on the resources that have been most beneficial to non profits and local governments. This in-depth presentation will cover all aspects of identifying federal, state, local government grants, foundation grants, and other avenues of financial support.

Federal Administrative Requirements
Administrative regulations don’t prescribe how grants should be managed, but rather set rules for standards of acceptable management processes and structures. This session will provide guidance and clarification on the interpretation of complex regulations governing grants management. For example, what major differences exist between guidance for universities vs. non-profits vs. government entities?

Local Governments and Grants Issues
The top priority issues currently being addressed by Maryland local governments will be discussed. A more specific list of topics will be listed prior to the conference.

Capacity Building for Non-Profit Organizations
Finding and winning grants is just one aspect of successful non-profit management. All other aspects of how to build and maintain a successful non profit organization will be discussed.

Keynote speaker Ray Scheppach, Executive Director, National Governors Association Raymond C. Scheppach, Ph.D has led NGA since 1983. As Executive Director he oversees day-to-day operations of NGA, managing all aspects of the association and the NGA Center for Best Practices. Ray also facilitates the association's efforts to achieve the three major missions of producing information and analysis of state innovations and practices, creating a bipartisan forum for governors to establish and implement policy on federal issues and assisting governors in managing state government. Ray will discuss recent changes in federal policy, how these impact state and local government funding decisions, and funding changes that the new President of the United States must make.

Advanced Grant Writing
This in-depth presentation on successful grant writing goes beyond the introductory level. Advice will be provided on the techniques that achieve the greatest success, including strategies on budget preparation, while also discussing specific trends over the past year related to who is funding….and who is not.

Cost Principles, Indirect Costs, and Audits
The Federal Cost Principles guide the allowance and calculation of indirect costs and cost allocation plans. Learn the “need to know” elements to ensure maximization of cost recovery. The second part of this presentation will address the audit of cost allocation plans and indirect cost rates.

Performance Measures
This session will provide an overview of outcome measurement topics as all entities, be they government or non-profit, are increasingly required to make performance measures a central part of every successful grant.

Maryland Congressional Delegation Perspective on Federal Grants
Federal Government issues related to grants from the perspective of the Maryland Congressional delegation. The speakers are all experienced grants professionals working for members of our delegation. They will cover a variety of issues including how earmarks are requested, granted, and changes from the past, including their perspective on the future of earmarks, along with the impact of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act, which will effect everyone, including reporting requirements for sub-recipients.