Rahway Nonprofit Alliance’s Grant Strategy Training Program, Facilitated by The Aubrey Group, Proves to be a Success
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Rahway Mayor Raymond A. Giacobbe recognized six dedicated nonprofit organizations that completed the Rahway Nonprofit Alliance (RNA) Grant Strategy Training Program—a rigorous eight-part course designed to strengthen the city’s nonprofit sector and build long-term sustainability through grant readiness, facilitated by The Aubrey Group, a grant strategy and organizational development firm that oversees management of the Rahway Nonprofit Alliance, on April 16, 2025. These nonprofit leaders represent some of the most active Rahway Nonprofit Alliance members who participated in this training to build their grant-seeking capabilities. Graduates included:
Najah Allen, Founder, Fresh Start Second Chances, Inc.
Karla Alvarez, Executive Director, ILOVE2READ Book & Literacy Organization
Dr. Loucille Black Hollis, CEO, It's Kairos Time, Inc.
Faith Moorehead, Co-Founder, Empowering in the Community (EPiC)
Ebony Parham, President & Co-Founder, Empowering in the Community (EPiC)
Rev. Dr. Marti Robinson, Esq., D.Min. - Pastor, Ebenezer A.M.E. Church
Connor Schmiegel (Partner and VP, The Aubrey Group); Rev. Dr. Marti Robinson, Esq., D.Min (Pastor, Ebenezer A.M.E. Church); Dr. Loucille Black Hollis (CEO, It’s Kairos Time, Inc.); Mayor Raymond Giacobbe (City of Rahway); Karla Alvarez (Executive Director, ILOVE2READ Book & Literacy Organization); and Najah Allen (Founder, Fresh Start Second Chances, Inc.) on April 16, 2025
Graduates received a certificate for completing the program and met with Mayor Raymond Giacobbe to celebrate the achievement. By completing the program, these participants demonstrate a commitment to excellence in grant writing, program design, and strategic resource acquisition.
“The workshop has not only provided a clear understanding of the application process, but it has also set us up with a comprehensive plan to select, evaluate, and pursue applications specifically relevant to our nonprofit area,” said Karla Alvarez of ILOVE2READ Book and Literacy Organization.
Webinar #3: Application Development
“This program isn’t just about grants—it’s about leadership, growth, and our city’s future,” said Mayor Giacobbe. “Each of these organizations has shown what it means to serve Rahway with purpose and persistence. I couldn’t be prouder to stand alongside them. When we invest in our nonprofit leaders, we invest in stronger neighborhoods, better outcomes, and lasting change.”
These individuals participated in an eight-part training series. Four training webinars were offered, with four additional group sessions for open discussion and real-time feedback as the participants engage in grant seeking.
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In this webinar, participants learned about the background of grants and how they are designed at various funding levels: Federal, State, Local, and Private/Foundation. Participants also learned how to prepare their nonprofit for grant seeking, such as crafting strong mission and vision statements, developing their Board structure and Bylaws, engaging in data collection practices, solidifying their nonprofit status and financials, and more!
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Participants learned how to find grant opportunities at the Federal, State, Local, and Private/Foundation levels. Participants were also trained on how to engage with the various grant-seeking and application portals.
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Participants engaged in application writing, learning how to create compelling narratives and craft concise budgets. Participants also learned how to read a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and various grant guidelines to ensure their applications match what a funder is looking for.
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In this last session, participants were provided with an overview of matching fund requirements, how to utilize partnerships for grant seeking, and what comes after their initial grant submissions.
After each webinar, participants took short quizzes ahead of our group working sessions. In the working sessions, participants brought draft applications, newly proposed organizational materials, and questions about the challenges of grant pursuit. Participants began the series in summer 2024 and concluded in early 2025.
The City of Rahway created and invested in the Rahway Nonprofit Alliance to bring local nonprofit partners together to identify community needs, address service gaps, and recommend policies that serve the common good to the administration. The RNA is a one-stop shop for nonprofit partners to strengthen their individual and collective impact capacity.
Webinar #4: Tying It All Together
The Aubrey Group, a grant strategy and organizational development firm, was onboarded as consultants in 2021 to assist in creating, recruiting, and managing the Rahway Nonprofit Alliance. The Aubrey Group team worked directly with the City and local nonprofits to create a comprehensive plan with a multi-year timeline to assess and address the top issues facing the local nonprofit community. Nonprofits repeatedly reported that finding sustainable funding sources remains their greatest challenge. As a result, this Grant Strategy Training program was designed and produced to address this issue.
“Each organization is unique, and this series was designed to provide broad assistance for all nonprofits regardless of their capabilities. Grant-seeking is not a one-size-fits-all approach, but this information lays the foundation for future success,” stated RNA Coordinator Connor Schmiegel.
Mayor Giacobbe concluded, “We believe in the power of community-driven change. These graduates are doing the work—and now they have even more tools to do it better. That’s what this city is all about.”
In partnership with the City of Rahway, The Aubrey Group continues to foster collaboration and partnerships, hear from community stakeholders, and build upon the RNA’s collective impact approach.
Webinar #2: Grant Research and Readiness
What Rahway Nonprofit Alliance Members are Saying
"Before attending the RNA Grant Strategy Training Program, the thought of tackling grants as a small nonprofit with minimal staff felt overwhelming. The workshop has not only provided a clear understanding of the application process, but it has also set us up with a comprehensive plan to select, evaluate, and pursue applications specifically relevant to our nonprofit area. I am glad I was intentional about attending the workshops, ILOVE2READ is ready to put our grant plan into action, and would encourage other nonprofits to sign up for future workshops."
- Karla Alvarez, ILOVE2READ Book & Literacy Organization
“Thank you, Aubrey Group and Rahway, for sharing valuable insights on how to prepare EPiC Inc for grant applications, especially for our STEM education programs. We are proud to report that our programs are making a significant impact with young girls in our community.”
- Ebony Parham & Faith Moorehead, EPiC
“Thank you, Mayor Raymond Giacobbe and The Aubrey Group, for the tremendous opportunity to participate in the RNA Certificate class. The class empowered me to find grants that fit my organization. The next step is to apply.”
- Dr. Loucille Black Hollis, It's Kairos Time
“I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to The City of Rahway, The Rahway Nonprofit Alliance, and The Aubrey Group for partnering with Fresh Start Second Chances, Inc. as a successful participant of the Grant Strategy Training Program. This experience provided invaluable insight into grant writing, funding research, and strategies to support the continued growth and sustainability of my organization.”
- Najah Allen, Fresh Start Second Chances
“As most houses of worship continue to struggle financially post-COVID-19, it was critical for faith leaders like myself to learn the fundamentals behind grants which support community outreach, social services, and other initiatives that align with our church’s vision & mission. Thank you to The Aubrey Group and the Rahway Nonprofit Alliance for sharing your expertise in this Grant Strategy Training Program! Our collaboration is the latest currency & because of our collaboration, I am now rich beyond measure because I have acquired such important knowledge & insight!”
- Rev. Dr. Marti Robinson, Esq., D.Min. - Pastor, Ebenezer A.M.E. Church
For more information on the Rahway Nonprofit Alliance or upcoming workshops, visit www.rahwaynonprofitalliance.com. For more information on The Aubrey Group, visit theaubreygroup.org.