Nonprofit consultant and grant writer Morgan Carpenter was commissioned by Johnson County Community Foundation staffers as a Grant Professionals Association-approved trainer to conduct a free workshop to empower local charitable leaders and strengthen associated organizations throughout 2025.
Bloomington-based Morgan also authored the book Prepare for Impact: Everything You Need to Know to Win.
Workshop attendees included nonprofit staff, development professionals and program leaders of grant-writing programs.
Morgan says she most enjoys working with social impact organizations within a variety of human services nonprofits to improve their grant readiness. She engages them in strategic planning and program development, creating tools and resources that support their ability to achieve their goals and create positive community impacts. "My strategic approach to this work is rooted in my experience with proposal writing and grants management, which enables me to help local organizations solve challenges and achieve long-term success through alignment with nonprofit best practices," she explains.
Funders receive countless proposals filled with facts and figures, but it's well-known that the ones that truly stand out are those that tell a compelling story. However, effective storytelling in grant writing goes beyond listing needs and statistics; it highlights the resilience, successes and impact of the people and communities served.
Workshop participants learned how to craft narratives that engage, persuade and inspire action by
balancing meaningful data with real client stories. They also explored how asset-framing and
empowering language can strengthen proposals, ensuring that storytelling reflects dignity, possibility and impact.
Deemed "The Power of Narrative: Storytelling for Impact," this Elevate Impact session covered beneficial topics, such as:
• Why storytelling is essential for successful grant proposals.
• Key elements of impactful, strengths-based grant narratives.
• Practical techniques for integrating data and client stories effectively.
Johnson County Community Foundation (JCCF) staff and supporters "connect people who care with causes that matter" because they're focused on the future and how to collaborate to create a Johnson County that’s the best it can be.