Annual Grants Training
NGMA Annual Grants Training
Annual Grants Training (AGT) is a multi-day, in-person event ideal for grants management professionals at all career levels. It is the largest grants management-focused training event in the nation. In 2024, AGT had more than 1,600 registrants from every region of the U.S. and other countries.
2025 Agenda Preview coming December 2024. View last year's agenda below for a general idea of sessions offered. CPE credits will be available. (Total available credits TBA)
2025 Registration Opens September 5, 2024
Call for Speakers Opens August 14, 2024
Exhibit Space Exhibit space is open only to NGMA Corporate Alliance Partnership Program (CAPP) partners. Learn more about NGMA's CAPP program and sponsorship opportunities _______________________________________________
RATES
Registration rates for 2025 Annual Grants Training have not been determined. FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY, below are 2024 rates.
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION
$969 Members | $1,143 Non-Members
REGULAR REGISTRATION
$1,099 Members | $1,243 Non-Members
LATE REGISTRATION
$1,099 Members | $1,273 Non-Members
Non-Member rates include optional one-year membership to NGMA. Price does not change if you opt out of membership.
Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.
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HOTEL INFORMATION Annual Grants Training is held at:
Washington Hilton | 1919 Connecticut Ave. NW | Washington, D.C. 20009
NGMA will have a room block at the hotel. Link will be published here when registration opens on September 5, 2024.
The Washington Hilton is located within blocks of Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan. It is six (6) miles from Reagan National Airport and within walking distance of the DC Metro subway system. Learn more about the hotel
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Last Year's Agenda (2025 agenda TBA) |
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
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Time |
Session |
Level |
3-4 p.m. |
Navigating Grants Management: Essential Tips for Early Career Success Melissa Campbell, Guidehouse and LaKeisha Boyle, U.S. Department of Treasury
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Basic |
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Using AI as a Vehicle for Equity in the Grants World James (Jay) Black, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Andrea Brandon, Department of Interior
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Intermediate |
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What is a Grant Actually Costing You- Do You Know? Nicolie Lettini and Kathleen Kizior, Cherry Bekaert |
Basic |
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Roundtable Discussion: Higher Education Sector Meeting Moderator: Lashon Brown, CGMS, Valencia College |
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4:15-5:15 p.m. |
Congratulations, You Received a Grant. Now What? Ariel Lybarger and Zulma Perez, Moss Adams, LLP
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Basic |
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Ethics- It SHOULD Be the Easiest Part of Our Job Kathy Martins and Kelly Glossup, Alameda Couny Sheriff's Office
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Basic |
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Secret in the Sauce? Data. Using Data to Identify Compliance Risks Andrew Holzer, Cotton, a Sikich Company
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Intermediate |
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Roundtable Discussion: Developing Your Personal Brand Moderators: Kim Joyce, GPC and D’Laun Oubre, Kim Joyce and Associates LLC |
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Wednesday, February 28, 2024 |
Time |
Session |
Level |
8-9:15 a.m. |
Opening and Keynote Address Grants Compliance: It Takes a (Very Large and Very Complicated) Village Ken Dieffenbach, Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations at the U.S. Department of Energy OIG
Virtually everyone agrees that it is important to mitigate fraud and other compliance risks in grant programs. But how? In this session we will explore the grant oversight framework including the roles and responsibilities of the inspectors general, grantor agencies, grantees, and other stakeholders. We’ll discuss various oversight and compliance tools and strategies, as well as practical steps each attendee can take to directly contribute to a more robust and resilient framework.
Learning objectives:
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Understand the mission and focus of the federal inspector general community.
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Be aware of the current “hot” grant-specific oversight issues such as data analytics, the mandatory disclosure rule, and whistleblower retaliation prohibitions.
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Be better equipped, as a grants community, to help prevent and mitigate grant fraud and other compliance issues through risk assessments, fraud awareness training, proactive disclosures, strong program design, increased awareness of certain PRAC and OIG products, the use of integrity monitoring and third-party payors, and other measures.
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Be reminded of the critically important roles all stakeholders play in mitigating grant fraud and other compliance risks, to include ways to influence others to recognize the importance of compliance.
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Basic |
9:30-10:30 p.m. |
OMB Update Deidre Harrison
OMB Official will highlight the activities and policy directives in the grant areas, focusing on the implementation of the 2 CFR 200 Revisions, the federal government roll-out of COVID -19 and Infrastructure Investments funds and the directives of the President’s Management Agenda related to grants.
Learning Objectives:
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Review the progress of the 2 CFR 200 revisions, its implementation issues by federal agencies & recipients and frequently asked questions
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Know the agency implementation and resources regarding the massive COVID-19 and Infrastructure Investments Funds, including OMB interactions with the audit & oversight communities
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Become knowledgeable on the overall objectives and directives of the 2022 President’s Management Agenda and how it will impact grants management
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Overview |
10:45-11:45 a.m. |
Building and Maintaining a Best Practice Model of Grant Management and Compliance Joseph D'Alessandro, Ashley Glasgow-Crockett, and Christina McCollum, School District of Philadelphia
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Intermediate |
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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging for Grants Management Bridget Shea Westfall, HHS, Administration for Children and Families
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Advanced |
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Indirect Costs - Exploring the Dawn of a New Day Andre Hylton, U.S. Department of Education; Meghan Benson, National Science Foundation; Doris Jensen, U.S. Department of Interior; and Mark Stout, U.S. Department of Interior
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Basic |
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Keep Calm and Closeout Strong: Award Closeout Requirements and Best Practices Darren Wallace and Brette Fishman, U.S. Department of Treasury
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Basic |
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Measuring Program Outcomes Geoffrey Magon and Meghan Hicks, CohnReznick
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Basic |
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Roundtable Discussion: Independent Consultants – Developing Your Business Moderator: Carmen (Mely) Torres, OnPoint Strategy |
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1:15-2:15 p.m. |
Assessing and Improving Equity in Grant Management and Program Development Michael Miranda-Moore and Megan Otto, Moss Adams, LLP
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Overview |
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Broadband: The New Kid On The Block--Takin' It Step By Step Tammy Smith, Peninsula Fiber Network; Rebecca Silva and Jennifer Woolcock, Falcon Sanchez; and Mercedes E. Quintero-Mendez, PROMB
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Intermediate |
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Data Analytics and Emerging Trends in Grant Fraud and Other Compliance Issues Ken Dieffenbach, U.S. Department of Energy
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Basic |
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Implementing and Adopting a Grant Management System: The State of Rhode Island's Experience Steve Thompson and Laura Sullivan, State of Rhode Island
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Basic |
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Unlocking Success: Mastering the Art of Leadership and Teamwork in Grants Management Vicky Cooper, Lee County Utilities
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Intermediate |
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Roundtable Discussion: Tribal Sector Meeting Moderators: Maria Howeth, CGMS, Chickasaw National Industries; DeMakus Staton, CGMS, D&G Associates Consulting Group LLC |
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2:30-3:30 p.m. |
Ethical Challenges in Grants Management: Risks and Opportunities Brian Kamoie and Kelley Grow, Deloitte
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Intermediate |
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Exploring the Revisions to the Uniform Guidance David Clark, BDO
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Basic |
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From Neural Networks to Networked Funding: AI Meets Grant$ Jason Mistlebauer, Witt O'Briens
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Basic |
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Getting Googled! Subrecipient Monitoring Using the Google Suite Angelyn Mayes, Wyoming Department of Health
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Overview |
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Internal Controls, Single Audits and Grants Management— Making the Pieces Fit Together Sarah Hluchan and Thomas Devine, Management Concepts
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Intermediate |
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Roundtable Discussion: Nonprofit Sector Meeting Moderators: Damien Bowen, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center; Brent Ramsey, CGMS, SCORE |
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4-5 p.m. |
Everything Everywhere All at Once: How to be A Successful Solo Grants Manager Tiffany Kesslar, The Bruman Group, PLLC, and Lashon Andrea Brown, Valencia College
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Intermediate |
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Federal Financial Reporting 101: How to succeed in SF-425 reporting Catherine Schumer, DHS - FEMA
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Basic |
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From Concept to Reality: Establishing a Centralized Grants Management Office Stacie Massey, State of Ohio Office of Budget and Management
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Intermediate |
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Subrecipient and Contractor Monitoring Carson Phillips and Abby Rollins, CohnReznick
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Basic |
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Three Years After COVID-19 Grant Awards: Preparing for Audits and Investigations Mindy Pava and Edward "Ted" Waters, Feldesman Leifer LLP
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Basic |
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Roundtable Discussion: K-12 Education Sector Meeting Moderators: Steven Spillan, Esq., CGMS and Madelaine Cleghorn, Esq., The Bruman Group |
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Thursday, February 29, 2024 |
Time |
Session |
Level |
8:00-9:30 a.m.
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Plenary Panel Discussion: Membership Meeting and OIG Panel—Recent Findings and Hot Topics
Panelists: Kathleen Sedney, Assistant Inspector General for Audits, Inspections, and Evaluations for the U.S. Department of Interior OIG Jaishiri Mehta, Senior Counsel, Dept of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General Chuck Ward, Assistant Inspector General for Audit Operations and Special Reviews, OIG, U.S. Department of Transportation Pamela Van Dort, Acting Deputy Inspector General, AmeriCorps OIG
Moderator: Marc Meyer, Assistant Inspector General for Investigations and Senior Executive for the Front Office, USAID OIG
Representatives from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) with experience at four agencies will provide attendees with an update regarding the top issues in grants management, recent findings and the top concerns with a look-ahead.
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9:45-10:45 a.m. |
Plenary Panel Discussion: Centralized Grants
Panelists: Patrick Ballinger, Grants Coordinator, Pasco County BCC Stacie Massey, State of Ohio Office of Budget and Management Andrea Sampanis, Grants Quality Service Management Office (QSMO) Corrin McWhirter, Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Moderator: Andrea Brandon, Budget, Finance, Grants and Acquisitions (BFGA), DOI
What are the benefits and impacts of centralized grants? How do you get everyone on board (especially those at the top)? This panel will discuss lessons learned while trying to navigate the centralization process.
Learning Objectives:
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11 a.m.-12 p.m.
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Be Audit You Can Be: Using the Annual OMB Single Audit Compliance Supplement Brette Fishman and Nasr Fahmy, U.S. Department of Treasury
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Overview |
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Getting to the Finish Line - Strategies for Grant Closeout Glenn McCormick
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Basic |
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One Size Does Not Fit All - Subawarding Federal Funds to Inexperienced Partners: Challenges and Opportunities Susan Durham, Louisville Metro Government and Matt Hanson, Witt O'Briens
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Intermediate |
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The Indirect Rate DEBATE! De Minimis or Negotiate? Dan Durst, BDO USA
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Intermediate |
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Strategic Decision-Making for Grant Success: Mastering Team Collaboration and Funding Achievement Carmen "Mely" Torres, On Point Strategy |
Basic |
1:30-2:30 p.m. |
Addressing Fraud Risk in Government Grant Programs Daphne Cheeks, Sallie Cooper, and Justin Starkman, Guidehouse
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Intermediate |
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Making Sense of Your Data: How Grantmaking Intelligence and Impact Measurement Help Improve Decision Making Tammy Marinac, Fluxx and Vinay Mullick UpMetrics
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Intermediate |
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Mastering the Art of Subrecipient Monitoring Jennifer Keller and Troy Rector, Clark Nuber
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Basic |
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We Saved You a Seat: Becoming the Federal Disaster Grant Procurement Expert Your Team Can't Do Without Shelley Vineyard and Rob Hogan, Disaster Recovery Services LLC
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Basic |
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Why Do I Certify? Time and Effort, the Report That Can Cost You Millions! Tiffany Kesslar, The Bruman Group, PLLC, and Lashon Andrea Brown, Valencia College
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Basic |
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Roundtable Discussion: Federal Sector Meeting Moderators: Christian Jones, Andrew Bockover, Rebecca Miller Russo - Department of State |
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2:45-3:45 p.m. |
A Department of One: Tips and Tools to Enable Solo Grants Administrators to Navigate and Streamline Productivity Jacqui May, City of Stuart
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Basic |
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Addressing the $247 Billion Elephant: Fraud Prevention and Improper Payment Remediation in the Grants Community Sarah Stricevic and Brette Fishman, U.S. Department of Treasury
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Overview |
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Discover, Design and Deliver: Building an Internal Controls Grant Monitoring System CA Cruthird and Solomon Tention, Dallas College
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Overview |
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Whose Property Is It Anyway? What You Should Know About the Federal Interest, Before, During, and After the Federally Funded Project Edward "Ted" Waters and Nicole M. Bacon, Feldesman Leifer LLP
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Intermediate |
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Strategies to Building a Team of New Grant Managers Angie J. Brown and Ashley Rome, EisnerAmper; Danielle Johnson and Teresa Croon, The Water Institute of the Gulf; and Eric Russell, ENJ, PLLC
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Intermediate |
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Roundtable Discussion: Effectively Managing Performance Outcomes Moderator: Heather Morgan, REI |
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4:15-5:15 p.m. |
I'm a Grant Manager, Why Do I Care About Financial Concepts? Kelly Bucci, Crowe LLP and Kalika White, University of Maryland
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Basic |
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Infrastructure Projects and Recent Changes to Grants Management Requirements--What Funders and Awardees Need to Know Rachel Werner and MJ White, MyFedTrainer
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Intermediate |
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Match Making: Finding & Tracking Matching Funds in Federal Grants Johna Rodgers, Johna Rodgers Consulting, LLC
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Basic |
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Rent, Utilities, and Printing, Oh My!: Distributing Direct Costs Shared by Multiple Funding Sources MaryAnn Avendano, Workforce Connections
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Basic |
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Transitioning a Grants Management Team from Subrecipient to Prime Recipient Terri Bennet and Jennifer Upton, Sandy Hook Promise
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Intermediate |
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Roundtable Discussion: Managing Up and Beyond – Helping Stakeholders Understand the Importance of Compliance Moderator: Mara Ash, BFS Strategic Partners Solutions |
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Friday, March 1, 2024
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Time |
Session |
Level |
8-9 a.m. |
Allocation Methodology: A Reflection on Cost Allocation Megan Mesko and Soghra Raza, Sikich
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Intermediate |
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Implementing System-Wide Internal Controls and Socializing Change
Jillian Neimeister, CGMS, Head of Customer Success, AmpliFund |
Intermediate |
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Purpose-Driven Grant Administration Robert Hogan, DRS
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Intermediate |
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Spotting Red Flags: Preventing and Detecting Fraud in Grant Funding Mike Nurse and Jennifer Keller, Clark Nuber, PS
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Basic |
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When the Music Stops: The Consequences of Funding Termination Under Federal Grants and Cooperative Agreements Phillip A. Escoriaza and Rosie Dawn Griffin, Feldesman Leifer LLP
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Intermediate |
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Roundtable Discussion: State and Local: Ask a Consultant Moderator: Matthew Hanson, CGMS, Witt O’Brien’s |
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9:15-10:15 a.m. |
Buy and Comply: Successfully Navigating the Federal Procurement Standards Edward Girovasi, Graduate School USA
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Overview |
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Equity in Grants: It All Starts with Data Yuliana Bruister and Renee Cooper, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Chelsea Cole, U.S. Department of Agriculture; Jennifer Tyson, U.S. Department of Justice; and Laura Watson, U.S. Department of Labor
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Intermediate |
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Financial Reporting (SF-425) Jon Muckey, U.S. Department of Energy
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Basic |
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Future of Grants: The Role of Advanced Analytics and AI in Grants Management Joseph Conti, Maria Swineford, and Azadeh Meshkaty, Deloitte & Touche LLP
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Basic |
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How to Manage the Disaster After the Disaster-- A Grant Management Perspective Billie Pearsall and Lisa Bullard-Paynter, ICF
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Intermediate |
10:30-11:30 a.m. |
Plenary Panel Discussion: Grants Attorney Q&A Panel Hosted by the American Bar Association, Grant Law Committee
Panelists: Soren Lagaard, Esq., General Attorney, U.S. Department of Eduation Melissa Prusock, Esq., Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP Scott Sheffler, Esq., Partner, Feldesman Leifer LLP Andrew Victor, Esq., Attorney Advisor, Acquisition & Assistance, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Moderator: Tiffany Kesslar, Esq., Partner, The Bruman Group, PLLC
Attorneys from the American Bar Association Public Contract Law's Grant Law Committee will discuss the top questions they have seen as well as answer the questions you have related to compliance under the Uniform Grants Guidance, stimulus federal funding, and other grants concerns!
Learning Objectives:
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Learn the current top legal issues facing granting agencies and recipients in today’s environment;
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Gain an understanding of industry trends; and
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Listen and learn from questions your peers are asking practicing grant attorneys
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11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. |
Closing Remarks NGMA Staff & Leadership
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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Who Should Attend
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Grants professionals, including Grants Specialists, Administrators, Managers, Program Officers, Grant Officers, Auditors
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Program Level
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Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced
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Delivery Method |
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Group Live
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Cancellation / Transfer / Substitution Policy |
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Cancellations
2025 AGT Cancellation Policy TBA.
Substitutions/Transfers
2025 AGT Substitutions/Transfers Policy TBA.
Individuals with invoices over 90 days in arrears may be subject to suspension of membership.
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Technology Consent |
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Registration, attendance at, or participation in any NGMA-sponsored activity constitutes an agreement by the registrant to the use and distribution (both now and in the future) of the registrant or participant’s image or voice in photographs, videotapes, electronic reproductions and audiotapes of such activities by NGMA and other third parties, including but not limited to the event app or other software utilized. Your registration may include technology that monitors your activities, such as session attendance, public chats, Q&A during sessions, and booths visited.
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Data and Usage Disclosure |
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By registering for Annual Grants Training, you agree to allow your data to be collected by NGMA and be transferred securely to and stored by third-party technology providers and/or event partners, including but not limited to meeting app providers (Personify and Conference I/O), payment processors (Payscape), the host hotel (Washington Hilton), and CAPP partners.
The purpose is for the fulfillment of the service(s) related to event registration and attendance; these may include but are not limited to processing payments, confirming hotel reservations/rooming needs, tracking session attendance and continuing professional education (CPE) credits. Additionally, NGMA CAPP partners may rent attendee data for marketing purposes under a single-use agreement.
All third-party providers and/or event partners have their own privacy and collection practices; NGMA is not responsible for their independent policies.
If you wish to opt out of any data collection regarding your Annual Grants Training registration, email [email protected].
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Communicable Disease Policy |
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All attendees agree to adhere to the NGMA’s Duty of Care, Waiver and Release of Liability for Communicable Disease. |
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Code of Conduct
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All attendees agree to adhere to NGMA’s In-Person Meeting Code of Conduct. |
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National Grants Management Association is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State Boards of Accountancy have the final authority on the acceptance of individual course for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.
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