Annual Grants Management Update 2025
- Start: December 11, 2025 7:30 am
- End: December 12, 2025 4:45 pm
Make sure that you understand the latest developments affecting grant-funded organizations. Join your fellow grants management professionals again this year to learn about compliance, sustainability, and resilience during the Annual Grants Management Update in greater Orlando on December 11-12, 2025.
The landscape has shifted once more for grant-funded organizations. This year’s Annual Grants Management Update will focus on three distinct but related themes: compliance, sustainability, and resilience. The new Administration has brought changes implicating compliance concerns while also raising questions about sustainability and organizational resilience. The Annual Grants Management Update will discuss the most significant developments from 2025 that grant-funded organizations need to know to stay compliant with current requirements while also explaining how organizations can diversify their funding streams and build resilience.
Our opening session will focus on compliance as you learn about recent Executive Orders, policy pronouncements, regulatory changes, administrative decisions, and court cases, that affect grants management. Next, sustainability and resilience take center stage with sessions explaining strategic grant prospecting and funding source diversification followed by a discussion of maximizing indirect cost recovery. Then on the second day, you will learn about fundraising and building organizational resilience during the morning sessions. The afternoon will feature a discussion of how organizations and grant professionals can accomplish more with less by using Artificial Intelligence. Lastly, our closing session returns to the theme of compliance with a deep dive into the Uniform Guidance’s updated cost principles. This once-a-year training conference will offer attendees two full days of informative and insightful lessons to navigate today’s changing environment for grant-funded organizations.
When you attend the Annual Grants Management Update this December, you will learn about the latest developments in grants management and how to remain in compliance with evolving requirements as you create sustainable and resilient organizations. However, seating is extremely limited for this exclusive training. Make your plans now to attend the this year’s edition of the Annual Grants Management Update in greater Orlando, Florida, on December 11-12, 2025.
TOPICS
During this year’s conference, our expert presenters will help you understand recent developments in Federal grants management and how these developments both impact compliance requirements and affect sustainability as well as organizational resilience. However, the training is more than just a year in review. Our agenda for the Annual Grants Management Update also includes practical sessions discussing how grant-funded organizations can diversify their funding sources, recover more indirect costs, effectively use Artificial Intelligence, and promote organizational resilience. When you attend, you will learn about the following:
- Key recent developments in the field of grants management;
- Changes to policies affecting Federal grants and other financial assistance;
- Status of recent litigation over new grant requirements and policy changes;
- Maximizing indirect cost recovery amid efforts to limit indirect cost rates;
- Effective strategies for researching prospective grant opportunities;
- Diversification of funding sources for greater sustainability;
- Empowering the governing body to reach fundraising success;
- Building a more resilient organization in today’s environment;
- Achieving more with fewer resources using Artificial Intelligence (AI);
- Determining what costs can (and cannot) be charged to your awards; and,
- Avoiding common compliance issues with Federal awards.
The Annual Grants Management Update will discuss these important topics and more. You will gain the information needed for continued grants management success in 2025 and beyond. You will also have multiple opportunities throughout the conference to ask your individual questions.
AGENDA
This year’s Annual Grants Management Update training conference is scheduled for December 11-12, 2025, in warm and sunny metropolitan Orlando, Florida. Please note that the cancellation deadline is 5:00 pm EST on November 7, 2025. The planned agenda (subject to change) for each day of the conference is as follows:
Day One (Thursday, December 11, 2025)
Sign-in for the Annual Grants Management Update at the registration desk before the first session.
Learn about recent developments and key changes affecting grants management during our opening session. Attorney Brian Tipton will review the year in Federal grants management and offer a preview of 2026. This dynamic session will discuss the new Administration's Executive Orders and policies as well as their effects on the grant-funded community, other legal and administrative developments, and significant court decisions and ongoing cases. The last year has been one of the most eventful in recent memory for the grant-funded community, and you will not want to miss this insightful analysis. Following this session, you will be able to outline major developments and changes in Federal grants management during 2025 and what they mean for your organization.
Enjoy a 15-minute coffee break between the morning sessions.
Strategic grant prospecting is an important skill for grant professionals looking to diversify their organization's funding streams. This session will cover how to find funding through federal, state, and local governments (as well as private and corporate foundations), identify the best matches for grant funding, create a realistic grants calendar, and streamline the grant development process. Session objectives include:
- Participants will receive an overview of search engines and other site options.
- Participants will receive an overview of keywords and other search terms.
- Participants will review strategies to quickly and efficiently evaluate multiple grant opportunities.
After participating in this session, you will be able to describe an effective grant prospecting strategy that can be applied to help diversify your organization's funding.
Meet and share a meal with your fellow attendees during our networking luncheon. The luncheon will feature a buffet with a selection of entrees and side dishes as well as salad and dessert.
With recent changes to federal funding, many organizations are concerned about sustainability. This session will cover the multi-faceted ways organizations can diversify their funding portfolios to sustain grant funding beyond the grant application. The session will also explore ways organizations can successfully answer the sustainability question on grant applications. Session objectives include:
- Participants will identify at least 3 distinct forms of revenue other than grants.
- Participants will explore how to include in-kind labor and other services as part of sustainability.
- Participants will discuss how collaboration, partnerships, and other operational changes are essential to sustainability.
After attending this session, you will be able to identify at least three ways to enhance sustainability.
Enjoy light snacks and beverages during this 30-minute break between the afternoon sessions.
Indirect cost recovery may be changing for good with more Federal funding sources adopting rate limits. However, the ability to recovery a sufficient share of indirect and other shared costs remains vital to the financial health of most grant-funded organizations. Join accountant and auditor Keith Hundley for this detailed discussion of indirect cost recovery methods and considerations. You will learn about cost allocation, negotiated indirect cost rate agreements, and the de minimis indirect cost rate. The session will discuss pros and cons of different recovery methods and suggestions for handling rate recovery limits (such as rate caps). After attending this session, you will be able to outline indirect and shared cost recovery methods to help your organization make informed decisions.
The first day of the conference will conclude at 4:45 pm on December 11, 2025.
Sign-in for the second day of the 2025 Annual Grants Management Update before the morning sessions. Note: if you signed-in for the conference on the first day, you do not need to sign-in with the registration desk today.
Many grant-funded organizations are taking a new look at diversifying their funding sources. That includes traditional fundraising as a supplement or replacement for grants. This session will explore the benefits and challenges of fundraising while explaining the role that the board or other governing body plays in fundraising. During this session, you will learn about easy, low-and-no-cost fundraising ideas and how an organization can empower its board to achieve fundraising success. Join Kate Weaver Patterson for this fast-paced look at funding source diversification. After attending, you will be able to outline how the governing body can help your organization meet its fundraising goals.
Enjoy a 15-minute coffee break between the morning sessions.
Organizational resilience refers to the ability of an organization to prepare for and respond successfully to disruptions and unexpected events. This last year has tested the resilience of many grant-funded organizations with unexpected disruption at the Federal level. As a result, many grant-funded organizations have realized a need to become more resilient. During this session, Kate Weaver Patterson will describe the simple action steps for building a more resilient organization. The discussion will pay particular attention to leadership and culture as key elements of a resilient organization. After attending this session, you will be able to outline the process for building organizational resilience and how it can be implemented within your own organization.
Get out and explore the numerous local lunch options on your own during this extended, 90-minute break between our morning and afternoon sessions.
Many grant-funded organizations are facing a resource crunch in terms of people, money, and time. Could the answer lie with Artificial Intelligence (or AI)? Join AI expert Dr. Caroline Coursey for a discussion of how organizations and individuals can leverage AI to accomplish more with less. You will learn about practical, everyday uses for AI. You will also learn about AI's shortcomings and how to avoid potential problem areas. Following this session, you will be able to list at least five ways in which you can use Artificial Intelligence to be more productive.
Enjoy beverages and light snacks during this 30-minute break between the afternoon sessions.
At one time or another, every grants management professional has asked the question, "Can we charge that to our grant?" The Office of Management and Budget has answered that question in the Uniform Guidance's cost principles. Unfortunately, the answer is not a simple "yes" or "no" but "it depends." Learn about the cost principles and allowability during this session led by attorney Brian Tipton. This session will explain general rules for allowability, exceptions to the general rules, and special rules for the most common selected items of cost. You will also learn about common mistakes and how to avoid them. After attending this session, you will be able to answer with confidence the important question, "Can we charge that to our grant?"
The 2025 edition of the Annual Grants Management Update will conclude at 4:45 pm on December 12, 2025.
When you attend the Annual Grants Management Update, you will learn about important developments affecting all types of grant-funded organizations in 2025 and into 2026. These include new Executive Orders and other policies, administrative requirements, and court cases. The conference will also discuss how these changes implicate concerns about compliance, sustainability (such as funding source diversification), and organizational resilience. After attending the conference, you will be able to:
- Outline at least three recent developments affecting grant-funded organizations;
- Identify major changes to Federal grants management requirements;
- Describe the current status of litigation over Federal policy changes;
- Identify the available methods for indirect cost recovery;
- List at least three effective strategies for grant prospecting;
- Identify at least three ways an organization can diversify its funding sources;
- Outline the role of the board or other governing body in fundraising;
- Describe five ways Artificial Intelligence can be used to increase efficiency;
- List the major steps for building a resilient organization; and,
- Identify key cost principles and determine allowability of common items of cost.
AUDIENCE AND CPE
The Annual Grants Management Update 2025 is intended for all members of the grant-funded community. This includes governing body members, officers, executives, management, fiscal staff, program staff, and all other grants management professionals. The complete course is recommended for a total of 14 hours of CPE in the field of specialized knowledge (government and nonprofits). The experience level for this training is update. Although no specific educational background is required to attend, it is recommended that attendees have at least one year’s experience working with (or serving in a governance role involving) grants or other financial assistance. No additional prerequisites are required and no advance preparation is required.
SPEAKERS
Dr. Caroline Coker Coursey brings over two decades of invaluable experience at the intersection of law, technology, and innovation to the table. With a rich background as a patent examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, she seamlessly transitioned into pivotal roles within prestigious law firms, corporate entities, and an esteemed university research program.
Armed with a robust academic foundation in electrical engineering and computer science, Caroline has continually gravitated towards intricate technical realms throughout her illustrious career. Her expertise spans across a spectrum of intellectual property and corporate law, with a keen focus on navigating the complexities of emerging technologies.
Caroline’s professional repertoire boasts negotiations with industry titans and spearheading agreements with some of the globe’s leading technology conglomerates. Notably, she has been a guiding force in advising on cutting-edge domains such as artificial intelligence, while demonstrating her acute understanding of both legal intricacies and technological advancements.
Amanda Day, GPC, is a national trainer and speaker. With 20+ years of grant prospect research, writing, and management experience, she has the knowledge, know-how, and stories to keep every workshop participant engaged and better prepared to succeed in the grants profession. She is well versed in federal and private grant funding, having begun her career serving as a grants administrator for local government agencies. She’s secured and managed over $20 million in federal grant funding. Along with Kimberly Hays de Muga, Amanda is cohost of Fundraising HayDay, a podcast about grants and such, and co-founder of HayDay Services, a grant and fundraising training company. Amanda was awarded the Grant Professionals Distinguished Fellow Award for 2024.
Kimberly Hays de Muga, GPC, is an expert trainer and coach. She brings more than 25 years of fundraising experience that includes raising more than $100 million from individuals, foundations, corporations, and local, state, and federal funding for nonprofit agencies in the education, health, and human service sectors. Kimberly’s experience includes Development Director at the Frazer Center, Senior Manager for Foundation and Corporate Relations at the Atlanta Community Food Bank, and Senior Grant Writer for the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation. She co-authored “Preparing for the GPC Exam: Earn Your Grant Professional Certified Credential.” Along with Amanda Day, Kimberly is cohost of Fundraising HayDay, a podcast about grants and such, and co-founder of HayDay Services, a grant and fundraising training company.
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 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.
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 metro Atlanta, Georgia, 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 Annual Grants Management Update 2025 will will be held in greater Orlando, Florida, at the Embassy Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista South. The Embassy Suites is a Disney Good Neighbor Hotel conveniently located just minutes from the Walt Disney World Resort. Rooms are available for special conference rates starting at the prevailing 2025-2026 Federal per diem, which is currently just $113 per night (plus applicable tax). These special rates are good for December 10 through 12, and for three additional nights before and after the conference subject to hotel availability. Hotel rooms can be booked by calling the hotel directly at 1-407-597-4000. Please ask the reservations agent for the special “Annual Grants Management Update group rate“ to receive the discounted rate. However, the easiest way to reserve your conference hotel room is online by clicking on this hotel reservations link. Please note that the “event dates” shown on the hotel reservations page are the default dates for reserving a hotel room and are not the dates conference sessions will be held (which are December 11-12, 2025). If making your reservations online, remember to adjust the date range on the booking site for the dates of your individual stay. The room reservation cut-off date is November 18, 2025 (or until the block is exhausted). Because of the small number of rooms available, we advise making your reservations as soon as possible.
Register now for the Annual Grants Management Update 2025 because registration spaces are limited and last year’s update sold out early. Please note that the cancellation deadline for the conference is 5:00 pm EST on November 7, 2025.