Federal Grants Institute 2026
- Start: April 7, 2026 7:30 am
- End: April 9, 2026 11:45 am
The Federal Grants Institute returns to San Diego with an updated program for 2026. Learn about the latest developments in grants management and how to protect your funding during these challenging times when you join your us on April 7-9, 2026.
Are you up-to-date with current requirements and the latest developments affecting Federal financial assistance awards and subawards? Make sure by attending the Federal Grants Institute 2026. This exclusive three-day training conference is designed for grant professionals like you to stay informed and in compliance. When you attend, you will learn about policy shifts, regulatory changes, and other pressing challenges facing both recipients and subrecipients.
Federal Grants Forum 2026 will open with an in-depth discussion of recent developments in grants management, including emerging legal issues and on-going litigation. On the conference’s first day, you will also learn about implementing effective internal controls, preparing for successful audits, and complying with recordkeeping and retention requirements. The second day will start with an examination of the behavioral science behind fraud followed by an overview of schemes targeting non-profits to help you prevent your organization from becoming a victim to fraudsters. Then, our deep dive for this year will discuss the Uniform Guidance’s cost principles; following this double session, you will be able to answer the always important question, “Can we pay for this cost with Federal funds?” On the last day of the conference, you will learn how to diversify your funding streams for grater sustainability and resilience.
In addition to the outstanding educational sessions, when you attend the Federal Grants Institute 2026, you will also have the opportunity to network with fellow grants management professionals in a relaxed, inclusive setting. Make your plans now to attend the Federal Grants Institute in San Diego, California, from April 7-9, 2026. Registration opportunities are limited, though, so save your spot today!
TOPICS
The Federal Grants Institute will keep you up to date with developments in Federal grants management and help your organization stay in compliance. Our 2026 edition will explain recent policy shifts while highlighting present regulatory risks. The conference will discuss changes to grant requirements as well as best practices for audit preparation, fraud prevention, and funding source diversification. During this special three-day training, you will learn about the following:
- Recent developments affecting Federal awards and subawards
- Changes to the OMB’s Uniform Guidance and agency interpretations
- Current Single Audit standards and audit preparation tips
- Rules for cost allowability under the Uniform Guidance
- Specific cost principles for selected items of cost
- Indirect cost recovery and use of the de minimis indirect cost rate
- Behavioral signs that may signal potential fraud
- Fraud schemes targeting non-profits and other grant funded entities
- Recordkeeping and record retention requirements for grantees
- Implementing and maintaining effective internal controls
- Reducing Federal grant reliance by diversifying funding streams
- Answers to frequent grants management questions
The Federal Grants Institute 2026 will cover these timely topics and more. By attending, you will get the information needed to help you effectively manage your awards and remain in compliance with current requirements. In addition, you will also have multiple opportunities throughout the conference to ask our expert speakers your individual grants management questions.
AGENDA
The next Federal Grants Institute is scheduled for April 7-9, 2026, in downtown San Diego, California. (The conference cancellation deadline is March 6, 2026.) Enjoy three days of entertaining yet informative educational sessions. The planned agenda for the conference (subject to change) is as follows:
Day One (Tuesday, April 7, 2026)
Sign-in for the first day of the Federal Grants Institute and enjoy a light breakfast before the morning sessions start.
The opening session of the Federal Grants Institute will examine recent developments in grants management. Attorney Brian Tipton will explain the latest news and key topics of interest to the grant-funded community. You will learn about regulatory updates and policy changes as well as current compliance pitfalls and emerging best practices for both recipients and subrecipients. After attending this session, you will be able to outline the major changes to Federal financial assistance in the last year and how these changes affect your organization.
Enjoy a 15-minute coffee break between the morning sessions.
Equip your organization with the necessary tools to design and implement effective internal control systems. Join Certified Public Accountant and experienced auditor Keith Hundley as he explains the requirements and best practices for internal controls using real world examples. This session will explore the elements of a robust internal control environment aligned with the Uniform Guidance’s five components of internal control. By attending, you will learn about the essential framework and strategies needed to reinforce compliance and prevent fraud. You will also learn about common control activities, their strengths, and their weaknesses. Following this session, you will be able to list the components of an effective internal control system, recognize common control activities, and outline the process to design controls for your organization.
Join your fellow Institute attendees for a networking luncheon. A lunch buffet will be provided for attendees and speakers.
Prepare your organization for a successful Single Audit Act audit in 2026. Experienced auditor and CPA Keith Hundley will explain current requirements under the Single Audit Act, the OMB's Uniform Guidance, and the annual Compliance Supplement, as well as best practices for audit preparation. This session will present a comprehensive overview of the audit process and offer practical advice for having a successful audit. You will also learn about common Single Audit findings and how to remedy them before fieldwork begins. After attending this session, you will be able to list the requirements and elements of a Single Audit Act audit.
Enjoy a 15-minute break between the afternoon sessions.
Good recordkeeping and retention practices are essential to demonstrating grant compliance. Attorney Brian Tipton will explain recordkeeping requirements under the Uniform Guidance as well as best practices for records management. You will learn about records retention periods and exceptions and how these requirements intersect with other standards (such as those for financial management systems). You will also learn how to design retention schedules that not only align with 2 C.F.R. pt. 200 but also take into account practical concerns that balance operational efficiency with legal obligations. After participating in this session, you will be able to outline recordkeeping requirements for recipients and subrecipients of Federal financial assistance.
The first day of the Federal Grants Institute will conclude at 4:15 pm on March 4, 2025.
Sign-in for the Federal Grants Institute (if you did not on the first day) and enjoy a light breakfast before the morning sessions start. Please note that if you signed in with the conference registration desk on the first day, you do not need to sign-in again today.
Kelly Paxton, a nationally recognized expert in fraud, will start the day with a presentation discussing the intersection of fraud and behavioral science. Nobody's Fool: Fraud and Behavioral Science will explore the psychology of scams. Using behavioral science, neuroscience, anecdotes and real life examples, learn just how easy it is to be deceived and what can you do about it. By attending this session, you will learn about:
- How vulnerabilities can lead to fraud and deception.
- How common deception really is and how to identify deception.
- How to always accept less, check more, and the best way to best go about that.
After attending, you will be able to recognize deception in both professional and personal settings and outline at least three strategies to protect yourself and your organization.
Enjoy a 15-minute coffee break between the morning sessions.
Non-profits are one of the areas hardest hit by fraud. Why? In this up-to-date presentation, nationally recognized expert on fraud Kelly Paxton will give you the tools to ensure that fraud will be less likely to happen in your organization. She will also provide you with resources to educate your employees on ethics and red flags of fraud. During this workshop, you will learn:
- Why are non-profits the victims of fraud?
- What to watch out for (a.k.a. red flags).
- Ways to prevent fraud in your non-profit.
- Who commits fraud in non-profits—you may be surprised.
- What is the Fraud Triangle and how it affects your employees and volunteers.
- Investigation concerns in a non-profit.
After attending, you will be able to list common warning signs of fraud within non-profit organizations and steps that you organization can take to protect itself.
Enjoy an extended 90-minute break between the morning and afternoon sessions to explore San Diego's vibrant lunch scene. Attendees will be on their own for lunch.
The cost principles in the Office of Management and Budget's Uniform Guidance help recipients and subrecipients answer the important question, "Can we charge this to our grant?" Join attorney Brian Tipton for this detailed discussion of the Uniform Guidance cost principles in Subpart E. The first half of this extended, double session will explain the background to the current cost principles and general requirements for allowability. This session will also address the differences between direct and indirect costs as well as recent changes to the cost principles. By attending, you will learn the rules for allowable, allocable costs. Afterward, you will be able to recognize costs that can and cannot be covered by Federal financial assistance.
Enjoy a 15-minute break between the afternoon sessions.
Learn more about the cost principles found in Subpart E of the Office of Management and Budget's Uniform Guidance. Attorney Brian Tipton will continue the detailed discussion on the cost principles during the second half of this special, double session. The first half discussed general rules for allowable costs. This part will explain the cost principles for the nearly five dozen selected items. You will learn the specific rules for these costs, which tend to be among the most common expenses encountered, or those incurred only by certain types of organizations, or those for which the general rules would be difficult to apply. After attending this session, you will be able to outline the treatment of expenditures covered by the cost principles for selected items of cost.
The second day of the conference will conclude at 4:30 pm on April 8, 2026.
Sign-in for the last day of the Federal Grants Institute (if you have not already signed in) and enjoy a light breakfast before the morning sessions. Please note that you do not need to sign-in today if you have already signed in for the conference.
Many grant-funded organizations that have traditionally relied on Federal and other government grants are now concerned about maintaining funding levels following changes in Washington over the last year. However, the thought of diversification often leaves government grant-funded organizations with more questions than answers. Are we ready and where should we start? What do we need to be successful with donors, sponsorships, and events? Attend this informative and fast-paced double session to learn the answers to these and other questions about how your organization can create a diversified funding plan. After attending this two-part workshop, you will be able to list at least five practical ideas for diversifying your funding streams.
Enjoy a 15-minute coffee break between the morning sessions.
Many grant-funded organizations that have traditionally relied on Federal and other government grants are now concerned about maintaining funding levels following changes in Washington over the last year. However, the thought of diversification often leaves government grant-funded organizations with more questions than answers. Are we ready and where should we start? What do we need to be successful with donors, sponsorships, and events? Attend this informative and fast-paced double session to learn the answers to these and other questions about how your organization can create a diversified funding plan. After attending this two-part workshop, you will be able to list at least five practical ideas for diversifying your funding streams.
The Federal Grants Institute 2026 will conclude at 11:45 am on April 9, 2026.
When you attend Federal Grants Institute 2026 in San Diego, you will learn about recent changes to Federal grant requirements in addition to important accounting, legal, and administrative developments affecting grants management. After attending the Institute, you will be able to:
- Outline Federal policy shifts affecting financial assistance
- List recent and potential changes to the Uniform Guidance
- Recognize current Single Audit Act audit requirements
- Describe the Uniform Guidance’s five requirements for internal controls
- List at least three frequently encountered control activities
- Identify the Uniform Guidance’s recordkeeping and retention requirements
- Recognize at least four common warning signs of fraud
- List at least three strategies to protect your organization from fraud
- Describe the Uniform Guidance’s general rules for cost allowability
- Distinguish direct costs from indirect costs
- Identify the general treatment of selected items of cost
- Outline at least three strategies for diversifying funding streams
AUDIENCE AND CPE
Federal Grants Institute 2026 is intended for all members of the grant-funded community. This includes governing body and advisory council members, officers, executives, managers, fiscal staff, program staff, and other grants management professionals. The complete course is recommended for a total of 17 hours of CPE in the field of specialized knowledge. The experience level for this training is overview. No specific educational background is required. No prerequisites are required for attendance, and advance preparation is not required.
SPEAKERS
Keith Hundley is a CPA and partner with Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC (CRI), and has over twenty years of experience in private industry and public accounting. Keith is a part of the firm’s governmental services and nonprofit practice recognized throughout the South for its knowledge of auditing standards and business practices. Keith specializes in providing audit, tax and consulting services to nonprofits, as well as federal, state and local governments. Keith regularly serves as a continuing education leader for CRI as well as a certified facilitator in the CRI Leadership Academy. Keith is an active member in the American Institute of Certified Accountants (AICPA) and the Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants (ASCPA), and is a 2011 inductee to the Troy University Accounting Hall of Honor.
Kate Weaver Patterson, Esq., is an experienced litigator, non-profit executive, and mediator. She is licensed to practice law in South Carolina and New York. Currently, Kate splits her time between Greenville, South Carolina, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she currently lives with her husband and their three children. She works with consulting clients across the United Stated
Before launching KWP Consulting, Kate started the Second Chance Justice Collaborative in 2019, a program of national non-profit Root & Rebound, whose mission is to help people navigate reentry after imprisonment and mitigate the harms caused by mass incarceration. Her work with R&R was particularly informed by the racial disparities within the criminal legal system and the need to bring disparate groups together to make meaningful change.
Before moving into nonprofit work, Kate worked as a litigation associate at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton in New York and then clerked for four federal judges around the country. Following her clerkships, she spent five years as a domestic violence, child abuse and sex crimes prosecutor in Greenville, South Carolina, handling hundreds of cases and multiple trials. As a prosecutor, Kate learned the importance of thorough investigation and thoughtful deliberation to bring fairness to all involved.
Kate grew up in Greenville, South Carolina. She received her Bachelor of Arts in History and French from Duke University and earned her Master’s Degree in International Affairs, with distinction, from the University of Hong Kong. She returned to Duke University School of Law, receiving her Juris Doctor, magna cum laude.
Kelly Paxton has more than 20 years of investigative experience. Kelly is a Certified Fraud Examiner, Private Investigator, author, and podcast host-founder of Great Women in Fraud.
Ms. Paxton started her career in law enforcement as a Special Agent for US Customs Office of Investigations in 1993. Ms. Paxton was recruited by US Customs for her expertise in finance. She worked white collar fraud, money laundering and narcotics cases. She also was responsible for the district’s undercover operations and financial reporting of these operations. Kelly worked as a contract investigator doing over 1000 security background investigations for the Office of Personnel Management and Department of Homeland Security.
Kelly has worked in the public and private sector. Most recently she worked as an investigator for Nike. Her investigations include embezzlement, conflict of interest, intellectual property, Open Source Intelligence and fraud. Kelly is also the proud owner of pinkcollarcrime.com, a passion of hers about embezzlers in the workplace. She founded Great Women in Fraud in August 2020. Her book, Embezzlement: How to Prevent, Detect and Investigate Pink-Collar Crime, was published in December 2020.
R. Brian Tipton is a practicing attorney with more than two decades' worth of experience working with nonprofits, governmental units, and other grant-funded organizations across the United States. Currently, Brian is Managing Director with Tipton KPCL Law, in the Atlanta metropolitan area, where he heads the firm's tax-exempt and grant-funded solutions practice. He is a summa cum laude graduate of the Louisiana State University and the Cumberland School of Law of Samford University. Brian regularly represents grant-funded entities of all types in the areas of regulatory compliance, audits, funding source disputes, administrative appeals, and litigation. Brian also consults with organizations on governance, human resources, programmatic, and corporate matters, and develops and presents training programs for nonprofits and grant-funded organizations.
The Federal Grants Institute returns to America’s Finest City, San Diego, California, for 2026. The 2026 conference will be held at the Westin San Diego Bayview Hotel, in Downtown near the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, and the Embarcadero. Rooms are available at special conference rates starting at the prevailing 2026 Federal per diem. The hotel has also agreed to waive the Destination Fee. These special rates are available for April 6 through 9, 2026, and may be offered for up to three additional nights before and after the conference subject to hotel availability. Rooms can be booked by calling the Westin San Diego directly at 619-239-4500 or the national reservations line at 1-800-937-8461. Please ask the agent for the special “Federal Grants Program 2026 group rate“ to receive the discount. In addition, you can reserve your room online by clicking on this hotel reservations link. The room reservation cut-off date is March 16, 2026 (or until the block is exhausted). Because of the limited number of rooms available, we advise making your reservations as soon as possible.
Just click the “REGISTER” button to register for the Federal Grants Institute. Please note that the cancellation deadline for the conference is 5:00 pm EST on March 6, 2026.