In this learning track, you can engage in a variety of sessions to learn skills on fundraising, fund development, grants and corporate giving.
- “Grant Spend tracking Without Guesswork: The 3W Framework for Clear, Compliant Spend Tracking and Reporting” (Nic Blanchet – GrantPulse)
- “Financial Feud: Non-Profit Edition” (Leslie Evans – Federation of Calgary Communities)
- “From Grant Hunting to Grant Writing: How AI is Changing the Funding Game for Nonprofits” (Mina Demian – Grants-Ease.ai)
“Grant Spend tracking Without Guesswork: The 3W Framework for Clear, Compliant Spend Tracking and Reporting“
Time: TBD
Presenter(s): Nic Blanchet, GrantPulse
Description: Many nonprofit organisations experience frustration, delays, and unnecessary stress because grant spend tracking lacks a clear structure. Time is lost clarifying what an expense supported, determining which funding source should cover it, and translating inconsistent information into the organisation’s financial system.
This session introduces the 3W framework, a practical method designed specifically for grant and donor-supported organisations. The approach centres on consistently defining three essential elements for every expense: The 3W framework has been implemented in organisations of varying sizes to create measurable reductions in reporting time and decision stress.
Participants will learn how to build this structure within their existing accounting system or spreadsheet environment using practical examples drawn from field experience.
The session is primarily instructive, with brief interactive components that allow participants to apply the framework to real-world scenarios. Attendees will leave with a clear, implementable structure they can begin using immediately. All participants will receive a complimentary e-book to support implementation after the session.
GrantPulse is a Canadian SaaS company that helps nonprofits automate grant spend management by capturing expense context at the moment money moves, keeping documentation organized, and making funder reporting easier, faster, and more reliable.
To learn more about GrantPulse, click on any of the links below.
“Financial Feud: Non-Profit Edition“
Time: TBD
Presenter(s): Leslie Evans, Federation of Calgary Communities
Description: Learning about financial statements and compliance doesn’t have to be dry – it can also be meaningful and fun! Join us for the gameshow version of “Financial Feud: Non-Profit Edition,” as we explore the elements of financial statements and key compliance requirements set by the government. Through a lively game, you’ll tackle financial scenarios and enhance your understanding of essential financial concepts. This high-energy session is designed to make financial learning enjoyable and practical, leaving you with the tools to confidently navigate financial literacy in the non-profit sector. Come one, come all – no financial experience needed!
At The Federation, we support passionate people who give back to their community, no matter the cause. Our mission is to build the capacity of volunteer-run organizations by delivering resources, workshops and professional services. Through our work, people gain the skills to guide their organizations with confidence and clarity.
To learn more about the Federation of Calgary Communities, click on any of the links below.
“From Grant Hunting to Grant Writing: How AI is Changing the Funding Game for Nonprofits “
Time: TBD
Presenter(s): Mina Demian, Grants-Ease.ai + BusinessPath.ca
Description: Grant writing is one of the most time-consuming tasks nonprofit teams face — and for smaller organizations without dedicated development staff, it can feel impossible to keep up. But AI is changing the game.
In this hands-on, interactive session, you’ll learn how to use AI tools to dramatically speed up your grant searching and writing process — without losing the human touch that funders are looking for. This isn’t about replacing grant writers. It’s about giving your team superpowers.
First, we’ll explore how to use AI to find the right grants faster. Instead of spending hours scrolling through databases and government portals, you’ll learn how to leverage AI-powered search and matching tools to quickly identify funders whose priorities align with your programs.
Second, we’ll walk through how AI can help you draft stronger grant proposals in a fraction of the time. You’ll see live demonstrations of how to take your organization’s mission, programs, and impact data and turn them into funder-ready language — including needs statements, program descriptions, and budget narratives.
Third, we’ll talk about the pitfalls. AI can produce impressive-sounding text that completely misses what a funder is actually looking for. We’ll discuss how to review, refine, and quality-check AI-generated content so your applications stay authentic, compliant, and competitive.
This session is designed to be practical and participatory. You’ll leave with specific tools you can start using immediately, a clear framework for integrating AI into your grant workflow, and the confidence to experiment without feeling overwhelmed.
Whether you’re writing your first grant or your fiftieth, this session will help you work smarter — so you can spend more time delivering your mission and less time buried in applications.
Grants-Ease.ai is an AI-powered grant writing platform that helps nonprofits and social enterprises find, draft, and submit grant proposals faster. BusinessPath.ca provides hands-on consulting in grant strategy, business development, and funding for mission-driven organizations.
To learn more about Grants-Ease.ai and BusinessPath.ca, click on any of the links below.