Events
Upcoming EVENTS
Grant Writing Essentials: From Opportunity to Winning Proposal
Strong grant proposals begin long before the first word is written. Join nonprofit consultant and grant strategist Monique Phillips, MPA, for an interactive, in-person workshop designed to strengthen participants’ understanding of the fundamentals of successful grant writing. This session will walk nonprofit leaders, staff, and aspiring grant writers through the grant development process, from identifying well-aligned funding opportunities and understanding funder priorities to crafting compelling narratives, developing realistic budgets, defining measurable outcomes, and submitting a complete and competitive proposal.
Participants will learn practical strategies for communicating organizational need and impact, positioning programs for investment, avoiding common grant-writing mistakes, and building stronger relationships with prospective funders. The workshop will also explore what makes a proposal stand out in a competitive funding environment and provide actionable tools and insights participants can immediately apply to their organizations’ fundraising efforts. Whether participants are new to grant writing or seeking to strengthen their existing skills, they will leave with greater confidence and a clearer framework for turning funding opportunities into strong, fundable proposals.
Management Quality Series: Quality Staff and Support
Strong programs start with staff who feel supported, prepared, and able to grow. Designed for individuals responsible for staff quality and support, this interactive workshop, facilitated by Jasmine Cooper, will help youth-serving leaders reflect on their staff culture and explore practical approaches to coaching, feedback, development, and accountability.
Participants will leave with evidence-informed strategies and one concrete action they can use to strengthen staff support and program quality.
This workshop is intended for youth development professionals who support, lead, or supervise other staff members. The registration fee is $30.00.
Ready, Set, Summer!
Get ready to launch your summer program with confidence, clarity, and a whole lot of energy! In this interactive and engaging workshop, we'll explore what strong, impactful summer programming really looks like and how you can bring that vision to life for the young people you serve.
Ask. Listen. Create.
This interactive workshop introduces Ask, Listen, Create, a model to a creative approach to co-designing programming with youth input and imagination at the center.
The Youth Development Communications Lab
In this playful, strategy-driven session, participants will assess their organization’s brand through clarity, tone, and connection.
CONVENINGS
YDRC convenings bring together youth development leaders across Metro Detroit to connect, learn, and align around shared goals. These gatherings create space for collaboration, reflection, and collective action to strengthen the youth development ecosystem.
YDRC Fall Kick OFF
September 10, 2026
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM ET
Durfee Innovation Society, 2470 Collingwood St. (Auditorium), Detroit, MI 48206
Join YDRC's 2026 Fall Network Kickoff as we launch the new program year with connection, collaboration, and learning. Explore workforce readiness and career-connected learning, exchange ideas with peers and leaders, and preview YDRC's 2026–2027 professional development opportunities. This free convening is open to all youth development professionals.