What people are saying about ZOCKGRANT...

"Becky,

Thanks so much for working with me on getting into this workshop. I really enjoyed it! ... I also wanted to let you and Mr. Zocklein know that I wrote about my experience on my blog. If you'd ever like to have a participant letter of support, feel free to send me an email anytime.

Thank you,
Bryan Lundeen"

"You were right!  When I returned this morning, the State called and said they were going to pull the grant money for the project I mentioned during the seminar.  I have already told the Associate Director that there may be more than one way to ride this horse, and we will be meeting this morning.  Thank you again for a very to-the-point, down to earth, on -------- conference."

Regards,
Anne O'Brien
Fleet Materials Manager

I was very impressed with your workshop and continue to utilize the tools that you gave us.  I have also promoted your workshop to anyone who would listen as I found it to be the most comprehensive, understandable, less mystic or cryptic workshop for grant writing I have ever attended in my 25 years in non-profit.

I also appreciate the ability to ask questions of you even so many months after your workshop ended!"

"I attended your two-day grant writing seminar in Cumberland, Maryland (2006, I think?).  I had been writing grants for years and have attended some great workshops, but I wanted to let you know how much additional insight your workshops provided.  At least some of what you told us must have “stuck” . . . among many other smaller grants in the past year, 12 state department of education proposals I wrote for  clients in Maryland have been funded and I finally wrote a winning proposal for a Federal grant!  The Cumberland YMCA was thrilled to be receiving $1.5 million over the next three years for their community-based abstinence education program.

I just attended the Seminar in St Louis and wanted to say thank you. I can't wait to try and implement the techniques I learned. George is quite a character! Thanks for all the information."

Bobbie J. Zimmermann (City of Bourbon Missouri)

"I have secured funding in the amount of approximately $1600for a railroad project, and have secured funding from LL Bean for a river cleanup totaling close to $500.  I have applied twice to a state funded grant to upgrade our railroad and have applied for $265,000 each time, but unfortunately funding has not been granted.  However, it is time to apply once again and hopefully being persistent will pay off!"

"Thanks for the inspiration and the career advice for nonprofit management. I would not be in the Federal position if it was not for George. I still tell people the story about your fight for diversity and patience to enable and empower the nonprofit agencies and the disadvantaged communities. Thanks again for everything! "

CARY JEFFERY, GS-09, USAF
Community Readiness Technician
Andrews Family Support Center

"Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your class in Kansas City, Mo.  I have never before taken so much in as I did in your class.  I am truly enthusiastic about writing some grants and I look forward to your next class.  Safe travel to you and God Bless!" 

Melissa Wallace

"I was just passing your web address onto someone I met today and I realized I should write to you. I first took your class in Miami in the spring of 2001. I was working as a development director but really wanted to focus on grant writing and forget corporate asks, etc. Within FOUR MONTHS of taking your class, I had written more in approved grants than the prior six years of grant writing combined. The first grant I wrote after your class was for an AmeriCorps project. It was approved for $742,000. The next big grant was for a 21st Century Community Learning Center (US Department of Education). It was approved for $1.5 million. Then I went freelance!

Since going freelance in the summer of 2001 I have successfully written grants to the Florida Department of Justice ($300,000), the Department of Health and Human Services ($350,000), and SAMHSA ($1.5 million) and other grants totaling approximately $3.9 million since going freelance less than four years ago. All this while working, truly, only 15 hours a week on average (although I insist to my husband it’s 25-30 to keep him off my back) and making enough money to stay home with my son who will start kindergarten in August 2005. If anyone thinks this sounds too good to be true, feel free to give them my e-mail address and I will assure them that we are not related."

"George,
             Thought I would email you to let you know how I have done since attending your workshops. I made application and received a grant from the BJA
Bullet Proof Vest program for $ 14,000.00. I made application and received a grant
from the American Heart Association for automated defibrillators for our first responder patrol units. This grant is worth $ 42,000.00 and was the 3rd largest award for the State of Texas. And finally it looks like I am going to receive my
COPS grant for the communication between our mobile laptops and our server.
I will know for sure in September. This grant is worth $ 311,000.00. Never under estimate the usefulness of Senators and Lobbiests. I forgot to mention that I also received LLEBG Block Grants from the Justice Department for 2001 and 2002 for a total of $ 85,000.00. We use these block grants to help us purchase law enforcement equipment that we are unable to purchase with our regular budget.
Without these block grants we would be in big trouble trying to comply with the new racial profiling requirements. I hope you are in good health and keep doing the good work."

Capt. Ed Krevit
Public Safety Division
Midland County Sheriff's Office

"I just wanted to say "thanks" for a great class!  I met with my boss this morning, and he is ready to incorporate what I learned at your class into our grant writing process.  I truly believe your suggestions will increase our chances for funding.  Thanks again"

Kay Miles
University of North Texas

"I attended the three-day workshop in Houston on February 26th, 27th, and 28th.  The amount of information given was amazing - almost overwhelming as a matter of fact.  I really enjoyed it and am so glad I attended."

Phillip Brock
Epiphany Episcopal School

"Hi George,
I wanted to email you while you might still have a vague recollection of who
I am and what we've discussed.  I attended your workshops at Victory Church
in Lakeland, FL last week.  First let me say  that your workshop was the
best by far of any that I've attended on the subject (and I've attended
many).  Your down-to-earth, basic approach to the sometimes complicated art
of grant writing was both refreshing and enlightening.  Thanks for doing
what you do the way that you do it."

"If you recall, I work for the Polk County Board of County Commissioners in
the Office of Neighborhood Revitalization.  Our office works with grass
roots community and neighborhood organizations dedicated to revitalizing
blighted and underserved areas in unincorporated Polk County.  During the
workshop you graciously gave me permission to reproduce all of your material
to provide our community leaders during the workshops that we will be
holding to assist them in expanding their ability to access resources for
their work.  You also very generously volunteered to provide a mini-workshop
for them free of charge.  This is specifically why I'm writing you.  I would
like to nail down a date for this as soon as possible so that we can get the
word out and make sure that as many of our folks as possible can take
advantage of this wonderful opportunity.  I can give them your materials and
some advice on accessing funding opportunities, but only you can give them
the true "Zock Effect".  I've checked your website and the only time that
you'll be in this area again this year is in September.  You are not
scheduled in Lakeland, but will be in Orlando on the 18th and 19th after
having been in Ft. Lauderdale on the 16th and 17th.  Would you please
consider an evening presentation on the night of the 19th?  We could hold it
on the east side of the county so that your travel from Orlando would be
limited.  I know that this is a lot to ask, but you offered so now I'm
calling you on it.  The timing would be excellent because they would then
have time to put into practice what they've learned from you in their grant
applications to us which are due October 17th."

"George, I really appreciate anything that you can do for our communities in
their efforts to bring about transformation.  Let me assure you that these
folks will not "set in their poop" when provided the tools that you teach.
This just might be the most grateful audience you'll ever entertain.  Please
let me know what works for you.  Again, I thoroughly enjoyed your workshop
and am looking forward to putting those tools to work in our effort to
transform this county one community at a time.  I  expectantly await your
timely response."

Nathan C. Mintle
Neighborhood Revitalization Specialist and Grants Manager

"Hey Mr. Zocklein

This is Rob Cradle, The black guy with the nonprofit barbershop ministry. Just letting you know that I will at some point take you up on you offer of doing a workshop for churches. I will stay in contact by e-mail as I slowly cultivate the churches' interest. I'm not sure how many months it would take. I'd like to do a workshop that outlines fundraising as a vital part of ministry. So church leadership can see that a planned development can be a ministry unto itself. Anyway thanks again for your wonderful workshop. I have been boasting of you kindness and wisdom since. I will continue to pray for you as you travel and for the success of each workshops. God bless you ."

Brother Rob

"George and Becky,

We scholarshiped Pastor Nancy Lee - Pastor of a small church in Auburndale, FL.  She went home saying I will first try a small $5000 grant with UPS. She filled out their form and sent the requested material.  Shortly after they wanted to come and see her facility and what she wanted to do to help the kids in the community.  As they were visiting they said it looks like you will get your $25,000 grant - Pastor Lee corrected them and said she applied for the $5,000 grant.  They corrected her and said the form they have in their hand qualifies her for a $25,000 grant.  Pastor Lee was elated and by the time they finished talking they said they think she will qualify for a $167,000 grant from UPS and they have other sources who work with them and they will HELP her write the grants to get a total of $300,000. 

This past Tuesday morning, Pastor Lee stood at a breakfast meeting with a good number of ministers to share her excited testimony.

For the record about two years ago this church was ready to close it's doors.  BUT Nancy felt God wanted her to go there and give her best.  I believe God is honoring her labors. The church is growing - people are being helped and loving Jesus and now MONEY is on the way."

Pastor Mike Zarle

"Dear George:

I hope this message finds you well & prospering. I attended your two day workshop in Baltimore, Md. on Greenmont Ave in Feb. 2002. Prior to your program I had written approx. 16 successful proposals, primarily for a police department in Pennsylvania.

I regret not having communicated with you before this, but I have referred to your course materials often and more importantly, on thinking of you it always makes me smile.

Currently, I am still working as a program coordinator for the Cumberland Housing Authority. During the past year I have written numerous successful proposals. However, due to circumstances beyond my control, I find the "Authority" moving in a direction which I am not comfortable.

Perhaps, I am still trying to decide what I want to do when I grow up, but I have always wanted to be part of something greater than myself.

On this thought, I would be very interested in speaking with you about any positions with your organization. I am available at your convenience, and would be willing to travel to the location of your choosing. I believe my education & experience will qualify me for serious consideration.

I am looking forward to hearing from you, regardless of this outcome, Thank You for what you do for others."

Respectfully, William D. Dick

"The best workshop I've attended in years. Great information, very inspiring and confidence building. Also, competitively priced."

Jane Aaron, Lindsay Wilson College, Columbia, KY

"We were just awarded $25,000 of federal money and we don't have to change anything we're already doing . . . I'm on my way to writing grants! Described by state agency as a woman who submitted an awesome grant."

Gayle Clark, Miracle Meadows School, Clarksburg, WV

". . . I now feel like I have an insider's understanding of how to receive grants. George's style of teaching was informative, easy to understand, and always entertaining . . . . It is the best workshop I have attended that deals with nonprofits. I can hardly wait to see the results!"

Amy Makey, Eliada Homes, Asheville, NC

"The presenter was excellent. I had been to other grant writing training before, but I was never left with such a feeling of empowerment. Many times Mr. Zocklein pointed out that we, grant writers and future grant writers, have the power to make change in our community."

Gail Belair, Volunteers of America, Toledo, OH

" Information was provided to us that has been very hard to find - or that has been almost kept a secret to the point where we didn't even know to seek it."

Margaret Crabtree, Xenia Police Division, Xenia, OH

"Enclosed is the check that should be made out for a million dollars. The knowledge & words of empowerment that you have given us I intend to utilize to the best of my ability in aiding our community via writing grants . . .”

Jeannette Copenheaver, York Spanish-American Center, York, PA

Comments on 501c3 Nonprofit Startup Assistance:

"I just wanted to share with you (and please share with George)  that we received notice last week that our non profit was approved as a 501(c)3 by the IRS!!!!!  We owe you a huge THANKS because we could not have done it without you all!  When you have time, check out www.themarylandumbrellagroup.org to see what we’re working on."

"It did help me immensely in doing the paper work to set up a 501C3 non-profit corporation."

"WHAT A GREAT HELP"

Doris Williams   (Enter HIS Gates)