McDaniel’s grant-writing workshop draws a crowd

Entrepreneurs, business owners and nonprofit leaders filled a room Friday for District 3 Supervisor Daron McDaniel’s sold-out workshop on grant writing.

“Every seat was taken, and it went all the way into the overflow seats,” McDaniel said. “It tells me that there is an absolute need in the community for grant writing.”

At least 45 people attended the workshop at the Castle Airport Conference Center. Hosted by a team of grant-writing professionals from California State University, Fresno, it taught participants how to find and apply for grants.

McDaniel got the idea for the workshop from his time as a congressional aide for Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock. McDaniel said the congressman held similar workshops in Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties, which were successful.

But McDaniel also hosted the workshop as a way to steer away from using Merced County’s supervisor discretionary funds on specialized projects and nonprofits. McDaniel believes the funds, which are taxpayer dollars, should go toward causes that benefit the entire community, not just select groups.

“I feel like the discretionary funds shouldn’t be used toward nonprofits because that $40,000 needs to benefit every constituent,” McDaniel said in a previous interview.

The supervisors each receive $40,000 every year to spend on projects of their choosing. Any unused dollars are rolled over. McDaniel said the discretionary dollars would be better spent on bricks-and-mortar projects – repairing public buildings, for example – and public safety because that benefits everyone.

The five districts had a combined balance of $406,429.53 in discretionary funds as of this month, according to Assistant County Executive Officer Scott De Moss.

District 2 Supervisor Hub Walsh has the most discretionary funds with $201,682.61; District 5 Supervisor Jerry O’Banion had the second most with $127,371.50. District 1 Supervisor John Pedrozo had the least with $11,146.48; McDaniel had $45,929.68 and District 4 Supervisor Deidre Kelsey had $20,299.26.

McDaniel said there was a waiting list of people who wanted to attend Friday’s workshop. He said he is planning more.

This story was originally published April 17, 2015 at 5:00 AM with the headline "McDaniel’s grant-writing workshop draws a crowd."