The Art of Asking, Grant Writing Masterclass

Registrations will be screened to ensure you meet this criteria:

• This masterclass is tailored to those in the AOD sector who are newer to grant writing or want to strengthen their foundation skills. This includes emerging AOD sector leaders (i.e. team leaders, coordinators, project workers) in the AOD sector responsible for, or who contributed to, developing submissions to the Department of Health. 
• A maximum of two participants per organisation can be accepted

Date: Tuesday, 31 March 2026, 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Location: Online

Description:

A practical entry-level masterclass for emerging AOD sector leaders who are new to grant writing or have limited experience. This session will help build the skills, strategies and confidence needed to develop standout grant submissions for Department of Health funding.

Optional add on: Budget Extender Session – This optional session is designed as a practical starting point for people with little or no experience in grant budgeting.

Please note: This is not a session that will direct you to current funding opportunities. If you’re an experienced grant writer, you’ll find the content covers material you’re already confident with.

By the end of this masterclass participants will be able to:

• Draft a strong funding ‘pitch’ that supports cohesive and successful grant writing.
• Address the key components of government grant applications.
• Recognise and avoid common pitfalls (based on ‘real world’ Department of Health feedback).​ ​
• Apply strategies for writing clearly, persuasively, and with impact.
• Use AI tools ethically and effectively in grant writing.
• Strengthen your organisations funding culture and learn how to turn an unsuccessful submission into future success

Facilitators:

Dr Allison Salmon (she/her), Director, The Centre for Impact & Change – For over 25 years, Dr Allison Salmon has driven meaningful change in health policies, systems, and practices through evidence-based innovation. Allison brings extensive expertise in developing compelling funding submissions, crafting influential government proposals, and effectively pitching strategic initiatives to diverse stakeholders. ​With deep experience working directly with government agencies, Allison effectively navigates policy environments, influences health priorities, and aligns interventions with governmental objectives. Her skill in stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and conducting comprehensive gap analyses ensures her submissions and pitches resonate deeply with decision-makers.  Allison’s specialist expertise spans alcohol and other drug policy, including harm reduction strategies such as drug consumption spaces, overdose prevention, and tobacco control.

Lucy Demant (she/her), Principal Consultant, The Centre for Impact & Change – For nearly twenty years, Lucy has been working to improve outcomes for children, young people and the community.  Lucy is a skilled writer with deep expertise in competitive grant and submission writing for government and philanthropy, writing for web, resource development and values-based messaging. A strategic thinker she has led major workforce development and capacity-building projects and delivered complex programs at scale. She is a natural collaborator, skilled in facilitating groups, cultivating sophisticated partnerships and engaging diverse stakeholders. Lucy brings her management coaching expertise to The Centre’s services – she is adept at coaching managers and emerging leaders, honing their practice to create high-performing, cohesive teams. Lucy’s specialist areas include the alcohol and other drug sector, family violence, youth disability and youth mental health, with a strong foundation in health promotion, prevention and early intervention.

Eligibility Criteria

This training is funded for emerging leaders (i.e. team leaders, coordinators, project workers) in the AOD sector responsible for, or who contributed to, developing submissions to the Department of Health.

Who is not eligible?

Students, interns, workers from other community sectors such as family violence, homelessness, mental health and AOD workers outside of Victoria.

Terms & Conditions

If you cannot attend, cancel your registration and make your spot available to someone else on the waitlist.