MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Grant professionals and organizations across West Virginia can participate virtually in three days of training on pursuing, managing and protecting grant funding Oct. 13–15 during the second annual Grant Expectations Conference. In-person participation also is available in Morgantown.
West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner will deliver the keynote, bringing a statewide perspective to the role grant-funded organizations and effective grant stewardship play in building West Virginia communities.
“Grant funding is an investment in West Virginia communities, and the professionals who secure and manage those resources are critical to making that investment count,” Warner said. “Building their knowledge and capacity helps strengthen the organizations and communities they serve.”
The conference comes as West Virginia communities continue to pursue public and private investment for infrastructure, economic development, health care, education, nonprofit services and other local needs.
In August, Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced a $145 million investment in water and wastewater infrastructure and a statewide strategy that includes grant-writing and technical assistance for small and understaffed water systems through partnerships with West Virginia University, Marshall University and the state’s Regional Planning and Development Councils.
Securing funding, however, is only part of the work. Grant Expectations focuses on the entire grant lifecycle – from preparing an organization to pursue funding through managing an award, meeting requirements, documenting the work, monitoring subrecipients and preparing for an audit.
“Organizations put tremendous effort into winning a grant, but the responsibility doesn’t end when the award arrives,” said Patricia McDade, conference organizer and president and CEO of Patricia McDade, Inc. “People need the knowledge and systems to manage those resources well from beginning to end.”
Sessions will address organizational preparation, federal registration and SAM.gov requirements, changing federal grant requirements, financial management and internal controls, subrecipient monitoring, cybersecurity and audit preparation.
Participants also will work through practical applications, including a hands-on SAM.gov registration lab and an intensive audit-preparation session examining grant administration from both the recipient and auditor perspectives. Participants will receive checklists, worksheets, compliance resources and other tools for use after the conference.
The program is designed for participants with various levels of grant experience, including professionals preparing to pursue funding, current grant managers, organizational leaders, financial staff and experienced practitioners responsible for established grant programs.
Accountants can receive 21 continuing professional education credits from the West Virginia State Board of Accountancy. Attorneys can receive 20.8 continuing legal education credits through the West Virginia State Bar Association, with 5.7 counting toward ethics.
Grant Expectations will be held Oct. 13–15, 2026, with virtual participation available statewide and concurrent in-person sessions at the Courtyard by Marriott in Morgantown.
Participants may register for all or part of the conference. Complete program and registration information is available at patriciamcdade.com/grant-expectations.
