CLIENT STORY · COMMUNITY & GOVERNMENT
Building community capacity through grant training
The Peoria Police Department wanted to help local nonprofits access funding and strengthen community partnerships. AltruNext worked with the department to create practical, approachable grant-writing training for organizations of all sizes.
The challenge
In 2022, the Peoria Police Department received funding that included $500,000 for community-based violence prevention grants. Five organizations were selected, but several smaller nonprofits missed qualifying by very narrow margins.
The department wanted to help these organizations compete more effectively for future funding. Its answer was a free, public grant-writing workshop that would build practical skills while strengthening trust and connections across the community.
Our approach
01 · Listen
Work with city staff to understand local organizations, their funding barriers, and the community’s needs.
02 · Design
Co-create and refine a practical workshop outline with the department, keeping the content accessible and useful.
03 · Teach
Deliver a conversational, two-day introduction to grant writing that participants can put to work right away.
04 · Expand
Build on the first workshop’s success with additional Grantwriting 101 sessions and a new 201 follow-up course.
Practical skills. Stronger connections.
The first workshop in April 2023 brought together more than 15 organizations, sparking new relationships and potential collaborations. Participants saw the city investing in their success. The strong response led the department to commission eight more training sessions.
2 days
A free, practical grant-writing workshop
15+
Organizations at the first workshop
8 more
Training sessions commissioned after early success
“We needed someone who was going to be willing to really have conversations and care. And that’s what Kristin did with us.”
Jennie Urquiza-Whitaker
Grants Coordinator, Peoria Police Department