8.5 Case Study: Successful Grant Stewardship Practices
Wisconsin is a beautiful state full of much more than just countryside and farm animals. With a total of 16 technical colleges and 56 four-year colleges, Wisconsin has been awarded many grants to aid in the development of industry, education, youth services, and workforce. Below are some insights from grant writers living and working in the state of Wisconsin and surrounding areas.
Dr. Anne Hoeltke
Long-time Minnesota consortium grant director Dr. Anne Hoeltke said, “Embedding sustainability into a grant proposal is not just a commitment to being a good steward; it’s a pledge to foster long-term social and economic resilience, ensuring that funded projects continue to benefit communities and science and research well into the future.”
Jodi Petersen
Jodi Petersen, a Youth Justice Supervisor in Portage, Wisconsin, shares how the youth in her area now have an effective alternative to being issued youth justice referrals because of the community-developed Youth Enrichment Services (YES) program. When a youth is referred to the program, the YES specialist meets with the youth and their parent or guardian to review program expectations. The YES social worker then completes evidence-based assessments of the youth’s behavior and social history. Based on the results of these assessments and collaboration with the youth, parents, school, and other providers, an individualized plan is created for each youth to determine which services will provide the greatest benefit. These services could include art therapy, music activities, Taekwondo, Carey Guides, BITs programming, and other evidence- and research-based programs. The results are seen in the absence of future duplication of services.
Sarah King
Sarah King, a Stateside Grant Director at Mid-State Technical College in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, says that when it comes to transparency and stewardship with both grantors and her grant team project members, she will always try to “4-C” the grant administration process—focus on communication, collaboration, commitment, and clarity. This is a great philosophy for open and ongoing sharing of successes, changes, and problems.
