Small Business Center Finding Great Success in Moving Seminars Online

March 27, 2020 – Richmond Community College's Small Business Center had tremendous participation for one of its free seminars at a time when many workshops, classes and events are having to cancel or reschedule.

Small Business Center Director Butch Farrah had 20 people register for the Proactive Grant Writing Seminar that was originally meant to be a face-to-face workshop. However, due to restrictions on gatherings in response to Covid 19, Farrah offered the seminar online and had 61 people sign up.

This seminar focused on helping non-profit organizations with the challenges of securing funding in order to fulfill their missions. Presenter Mandy Pearce, grant writing expert and national fundraising trainer, reviewed questions non-profits need to answer prior to searching and applying for grant funds, outlined the seven basic elements of most proposals, and showed participants how to match their needs to funder priorities.

“These online seminars are working well so far and getting great reviews,” Farrah said. “I believe we will have more online offerings going forward which will allow more people to access these events.”

Farrah is also offering virtual counseling for small business owners via the web conferencing app Zoom. To sign up, contact Farrah at wofarrah@richmondcc.edu or call (910) 410-1687.

Upcoming free online seminars include "The Business Side of Operating a Faith Based Organization" on April 2 from 3 to 5 p.m. and "How to Protect Your Church and Reduce Liability Risks" also on April 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. Both free seminars will be online, so participants will need access to a computer and the Internet. To register for one or both seminars, visit the Small Business Center.