Introduction to Diversifying Funding & Grant Writing for Peer-Run Organizations

Introduction to Diversifying Funding & Grant Writing for Peer-Run Organizations
The South Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) held the webinar titled "Introduction to Diversifying Funding & Grant Writing for Peer-Run Organizations webinar" on September 11, 2024. This 2-hour webinar provides an overview of the challenges and opportunities for peer-run organizations in creating sustainable financial plans. The presenters discussed ways that leaders can effectively promote their organizations with potential funders and partners, considerations for diversifying funding sources, and the basics of grant writing. At the end of this webinar, it is envisioned that participants will be able to: Create a value proposition for their organization or program; Describe different potential funding sources for peer-run organizations; List the basic components of a grant application; and Design goals and objectives for a new or existing program. Shannon Carr, PSS, MHPS (she/her) has been the Executive Director for Austin Mental Health Community (AMHC) for over 20 years. AMHC provides peer support services for adults experiencing lived mental health, substance use and/or homelessness issues. Shannon currently serves as the Program Committee Chair of the Central Texas African American Family Support Conference (CTAAFSC) and was appointed to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission Joint Committee on Access and Forensic Services (JCAFS). She has served on the Mayor’s Mental Health Task Force, Chair of the Austin Independent School District’s School Health Advisory Council and other advisory roles that promote wellness and recovery. Shannon has her own personal recovery story, but her wellness journey is as a wife, mother of twin boys and 2 girls, motivational speaker, a church ministry leader, a singer/manager of a gospel group known as Harmony Gospel and a travel agent and event planner. Darcy Kues (she/her) is a Project Manager with the South Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center and the Addiction Research Institute, where she writes curricula focused on peer support and recovery services. She has over 7 years of experience in curriculum development, grant writing, and program coordination for peer support services and recovery-oriented behavioral health. Darcy has developed trainings on reentry peer support, youth and young adult peer support, trauma responsiveness, peer support supervision, LGBTQ affirming services, and more. She is committed to building a world where recovery and lived experience are centered at every level of decision-making.