Collaborative sessions helped participants identify possible sources of external funding and craft proposals aimed at unlocking transformational grant support
Faculty and staff from across the Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM) gathered in late June for a summer retreat designed to provide support as participants started the process of seeking external grant funding for original research, student success initiatives, innovative campus programs, or institutional change efforts. The three-day ACM Grants Lab: A Proposal Writing Accelerator for Scholars and Leaders was held at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and featured programming developed by ACM as a service to consortium members.
“We had very fruitful conversations and I received valuable feedback and suggestions about where I can apply for grants externally,” said attendee Jessica Sanchez Flores, an assistant professor in the Colorado College Department of Spanish & Portuguese. “Working with peers, knowing that we’re going through similar issues or challenges, and hearing from those who have more expertise has been amazing.”
A well-crafted grant proposal, with a compelling narrative and clear expressions of goals and anticipated results, could unlock funding that is key to providing transformative opportunities at small liberal arts colleges. However, many faculty, staff, and campus leaders have reported to ACM that they simply lack the time, training, and expert guidance to pursue external funding, especially following the seismic shift in federal grant awards since 2025. The ACM Grants Lab provided keynote presentations, panel discussions, and time for focused writing, followed by thoughtful feedback from mentors and peers. Participants researched prospective funding sources, developed project timelines, crafted budgets, and worked toward communicating their visions through attention-grabbing written proposals.
Jeanie Lovell, the senior director of foundation and government relations at Luther College, said she appreciated the opportunity to network with counterparts from different ACM campuses and learn together, while also pursuing their individual projects and proposals.
“Grantseeking is often a team sport, and the collective wisdom of ACM colleagues can improve our chances of success,” Lovell said. “Competition for external grant funding can be fierce, and it’s reassuring to have a supportive and encouraging cohort of ACM colleagues willing to share individual insights and campus perspectives, especially with all the changes in the federal funding landscape.”
The 2026 retreat came nearly a year after the debut of the ACM Grants Lab in the summer of 2025. Authors of several proposals developed during last year’s inaugural gathering ultimately received significant grant awards:
- Four ACM colleges, Ripon, Knox, Coe, and Cornell, collaborated on a project to analyze support systems used to improve retention and workforce readiness for math, physics, engineering, computer science, and data science students from lower socioeconomic statuses. Their inter-institutional work was awarded nearly $100,000 from the U.S. National Science Foundation’s S-STEM program.
- Knox College received nearly $12,000 from Healing Illinois, a racial equity initiative of the Illinois Department of Human Services managed in partnership with the Field Foundation. The grant funds supported a dance residency for Chicago Dance Crash, a troupe that blends storytelling, street dance, and physical theater. The professional ensemble spent a week collaborating with Knox dance students and presented a public performance alongside the next generation of artists.
“These success stories illustrate the power and value of the ACM Grants Lab,” said ACM President Lisa Jasinski, who attended the retreat and presented about how to use Zero Waste principles in making grant-seeking a manageable part of university life. “We were impressed at the variety of exciting ideas hatched at this year’s Lab, and were inspired by the level of passion from our colleagues who are deeply committed to advocating for their meaningful work. I’m optimistic that the proposals developed this summer will result in additional resources that will help strengthen the impactful scholarship and excellent programs ACM colleges are known for.”
President Jasinski also thanked the campus hosts at Coe College, Coe President David Hayes, and the ACM Grants Lab’s mentors and featured speakers. Anna Beno of Lawrence University, Claudia Scholz of the University of Virginia, ACM’s Lynn Murray-Chandler, Brigittine French of Grinnell College, recent Illinois Wesleyan University retiree Mark Brodl, Connie Kassor of Cuyahoga Community College, and Paul Overvoorde of Macalester College all generously shared their knowledge with attendees.
ACM provided the 2026 ACM Grants Lab programming, accommodations, and meals at very low cost to the 45 participants representing ten member colleges. ACM is currently considering offering future iterations of the Grants Lab. In the meantime, faculty and staff interested in seeking external funding to support research, scholarship, creative activities, professional development, or other special initiatives are encouraged to read Exploring External Funding: Resources for ACM Campuses.
