| Until the last decade of the twentieth century, there was not a single association dedicated to the profession of grantsmanship. Nor were there many formalized training organizations dedicated to the grant professional. The Grantsmanship Center Inc (TGCI), one of the first of its kind, offered week-long trainings and established the first online forum for its alumni. The forum had open discussions on many grant topics. |
Membership Statistics
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Several reoccurring themes could always be found on that forum. “The grant professional is always the last to be hired and first to be fired when it comes to organizational budgets.” “If we had extra funds, we would hire a grant writer.” “Can you put the funds [to hire you to write the application] into the grant and we will pay you if we get funded?” “What are the qualifications to be a grant writer?” In 1997, a small group of alumni (most who had never met previously) came together, ready to change the state of the grants profession. With a single conference call on April 2, 1998, the idea of AAGP was formed.
In attendance on that historic day in 1997 were Iris Coffin (IA), Phyl Renninger (FL), Rachel Sherard (SD), Mike Brock (MI), Randy Givens (NE), Brad Knudson (SD), and VC League (CA). On that call, Phyl Renninger offered to record the first notes of the not-yet-formed organization and keep track of tasks to be accomplished. Over the next six month, the group continued to examine the feasibility of establishing an association. The rest, as they say, is history.
AAGP History At A Glance
1998
Board of Directors
Randall Givens (NE), President; VC League (CA), Vice President; Phyl Renninger (FL), Secretary; Iris Coffin (IA), Treasurer; Mike Brock (MI), Association Administrator; Brad Knudsen (SD), Member.
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Accomplishments
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- First Board Meeting (conference call)
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- First Workshop and Board Meeting: Drake University, Des Moines IA
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- Adopted the name “American Association of Grant Professionals”
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- Adopted the “quill” as the logo and the colors “teal and burgundy”
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Adopted the following AAGP Mission:
The American Association of Grant Professionals (AAGP) enhances the role of grant developers who work for public or private organizations. The association maintains a code of ethics, and promotes the public image of professional grant developers. It also enhances grant developers’ relationships with funders and employers and advances educational opportunities.
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1999
Board of Directors
Randall Givens (NE), President; VC League (CA), Vice President; Phyl Renninger (FL), Secretary; Iris Coffin (IA), Treasurer; Mike Brock (MI), Association Administrator; Members – Brad Knudsen (SD), Kimberee Susan Wuertz (MO).
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Accomplishments
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- First Annual Conference: Holiday Inn, Chicago Mart Plaza, Chicago IL
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- Conference Attendance: 22
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- Opened first checking account
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- Files as a Michigan nonprofit corporation
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- Established first website at www.grantprofessionals.org
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- Drafted first Code of Ethical Conduct for members of AAGP
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- Designed first membership brochure
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- Legacy membership drive ended - dues increased to $75
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2000
Board of Directors
VC League (CA), President, Brad Knudsen (SD), Vice President; Phyl Renninger (FL), Secretary; Michael Wells (OR), Treasurer; Randall Givens (NE), Past-President; Members – Deanna Nurnberg (IL), Iris Coffin (IA), Gail Vertz (MO), Frank Mandley (FL), Cynthia Renae Oda (IN).
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Accomplishments
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- Second Annual Conference: Berkley Marina, Berkley CA
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- Conference Attendance: 45
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- Credentialing voted by the membership as an organizational priority
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- Chaptering introduced as an organizational priority
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2001
Board of Directors
Brad Knudsen (SD), President; Phyl Renninger (FL), Vice President; Gail Vertz (MO), Secretary; Michael Wells (OR), Treasurer; Randall Givens (NE), Past-President; Members – Deanna Nurnberg (IL), Iris Coffin (IA), Frank Mandley (FL), Cynthia Renae Oda (IN).
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Accomplishments
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- Third Annual Conference: Radisson Plaza Orlando Downtown, Orlando FL
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- Conference Attendance: 125
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2002
Board of Directors
Brad Knudsen (SD), President; Phyl Renninger (FL), Vice President; Gail Vertz (MO), Secretary; Michael Wells (OR), Treasurer; Randall Givens (NE), Past-President; Members – Deanna Nurnberg (IL), Frank Mandley (FL), Cynthia Renae Oda (IN), Linda Lambert (FL), Janel Patteson (FL), Rebecca Walsh (IA).
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Accomplishments
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- Membership: 321 (November)
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- Fourth Annual Conference: Radisson Governor’s Hotel, Portland OR
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- Conference Attendance: 300
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- First e-mail Newsletter published
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- Established AAGP members only forum
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- First AAGP Journal published
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- First AAGP Member Directory published
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2003
Board of Directors
Phyl Renninger (FL), President; Gail Vertz (KS) / Maryn Boess (AZ), Vice President; Linda Lambert (FL), Secretary; Michael Wells (OR), Treasurer; Brad Knudsen (SD), Immediate Past-President; Members –Frank Mandley (FL), Cynthia Renae Oda (IN), Deanna Nurnberg (IL), Janel Patteson (FL), Jerry Dillehay (AZ)
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Accomplishments
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- Membership: 395 (December)
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- Fifth Annual Conference: Westin Crown Center, Kansas City MO
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- Conference Attendance: 300
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- First Board retreat, Phoenix AZ
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- Gail Vertz contracted for management services
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- Three e-Newsletters published
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- Second and third AAGP Journal published
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2004
Board of Directors
Phyl Renninger (FL), President; Maryn Boess (AZ), Vice President; Deanna Nurnberg (IL), Secretary; Michael Wells (OR), Treasurer; Brad Knudsen (SD), Immediate Past-President; Members - Randall Givens (NE), Jerry Dillehay (AZ), Cynthia Renae Oda (IN), Pauline Annarino (CA), Mary Hale Meyer (PA), Bernard Turnner (TN), Joani Sarkiss (AL)
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Accomplishments
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- Membership: 690 (December)
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- Sixth Annual Conference: Westin Copley Place hotel, Boston MA
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- Conference Attendance: 400
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- Individual grant review sessions introduced at conference. Immediate success.
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- Fourth and fifth AAGP Journal published
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- Gail Vertz contracted to be AAGP’s first Executive Director
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- Two e-Newsletters published
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- Partnered with Starwood Properties and Conference Depot for additional membership benefits
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- First AAGP Chapter formed in Alabama
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- First Test Development workshop held in Boston
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- AAGP’s first affiliate organization, Grant Professionals Certification Institute (GPCI) formed
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- First Committee Policy and Procedure Manuals drafted
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- Original AAGP logo updated. New colors “red and black,” new logo, “G”
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- Second edition AAGP brochure published
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- First Annual Conference Award Ceremony
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- First Presidents Award presented at the Annual Awards Ceremony presented to Stephen Nill of CharityChannel
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- First Report to the Members assembled and presented at the Annual Membership Meeting
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Stephen Nill, Founder and CEO of the CharityChannel, receiving the first ever Presidential award
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A few of the 400 attendees who enjoyed the 2004 conference in Boston.
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2005
Board of Directors
Phyl Renninger (FL), President; Pauline Annarino (CA), Vice President; Deanna Nurnberg (IL), Secretary; Michael Wells (OR), Treasurer; Brad Knudsen (SD), Immediate Past-President; Members -, Cynthia Renae Oda (IN), Mary Hale Meyer (PA), Bernard Turnner (TN), Joani Sarkiss (AL), Chuck Howard (OR), Susan Linn (MA), Karen Stinson (IA)
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Accomplishments
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- Seventh Annual Conference: Doubletree Paradise Valley Resort, Scottsdale AZ
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- Conference Attendance: to be held in November
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- Sixth AAGP Journal published
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- More than 18 new AAGP Chapters formed or in process of forming
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- First AAGP Business Plan drafted
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- Home office staff expanded to include Administrative Assistant, Membership Coordinator and independent contractors
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AAGP Legacy Members
Listed alphabetically:
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Judi Boston-Shedd
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Randal J Givens (Emeritus)
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Phyl Renninger (Emeritus)
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