Executive Director Of The RREDD Receives National Grant Certification

Executive Director of Rockford Region Economic Development District Earns National Grant Certification

Growth Dimensions is pleased to announce the achievements of one of our regional supporters. Dana Hoefle, Executive Director of the Rockford Region Economic Development District (RREDD) has recently received the Grant Professional Certification (GPC). Growth Dimensions is excited to be working alongside the RREDD and to congratulate Dana on her great accomplishment.

November 7, 2014

ROCKFORD – The Rockford Region Economic Development District’s executive director is the first in the region and ninth in Illinois to receive a rigorous national certification for grant professionals.

Dana Hoefle has received the Grant Professional Certification (GPC), which measures an individual’s ability to provide quality grant-related services within an ethical framework. The GPC is conferred by the Grant Professionals Certification Institute, an affiliate of the Grant Professionals Association. It recognizes proficiency in standards that include tenure in the profession, education, demonstrated achievement and a commitment to service for public and private philanthropy. There are currently approximately 350 GPCs in the U.S.

As the executive director of the Rockford Region Economic Development District (RREDD), Hoefle oversees the organization’s grant writing and administration services. RREDD is a nonprofit organization created in 2010 to assist with economic development planning and research efforts in Boone and Winnebago counties, as well as to help the region obtain certain federal economic development grants.

“Dana’s commitment to excellence helps make RREDD an important asset to bring needed funding into our region,” said RREDD Governing Board Chairman Bob Walberg, who also serves as the Chairman of the Boone County Board. “We are proud that she has received this certification, which recognizes that commitment nationally.

Under Hoefle’s leadership, the organization has expanded its work to assist area businesses, nonprofits and local governments with seeking, applying for and administering grants. RREDD has also created a free newsletter to alert recipients of grant opportunities and resources. For more information about RREDD grant services, contact Hoefle at 815-969-4252 or dhoefle@myedd.org.

“Many local organizations don’t have the resources and time to pursue grant opportunities, but they do have the need for that funding,” Hoefle said. “We are excited to be able to fill that gap for many organizations, while also helping the economic and social strength of the Rockford Region.”

The GPC appeals to individuals who possess deep broad-based knowledge and real-world experience in grant writing, according to the Grant Professionals Certification Institute website. “It provides widely recognized affirmation of the GPC practitioner as a person of integrity whose broad interest is in building social capital.”

For more information about the Grant Professionals Certification Institute, visit www.grantcredential.org.

For more information about RREDD, visit www.myedd.org.