Training Testimonials
My trainings are consistently ranked between 4.25 and 5 on a scale where 5 is the top or “excellent” rating or in the “exceeded expectations” category.
Comments from February 22, 2012 “Nuts and Bolts” workshop: “Wealth of experience of presenter. Real world examples and practical advice. Handouts VERY well organized and helpful for after the seminar.” “I liked how practical and application-oriented it was. Miriam has such a wealth of experience and a great way of presenting it.” “Well prepared workshop and great use of visuals. The presenter was very interactive and provided great examples.”
“Every time I see you wrapping up a class I KNOW several non-profits are better positioned to thrive, grow and serve the community. Your generous and knowledgeable gift as a trainer is greatly appreciated by the Center and the non-profit sector in this region.” Gail Catlin, Executive Director, Nonprofit Resource Center, September 23, 2011.
“I just had to follow up with a note to you to tell you how very much I appreciate such a great workshop! Miriam Houghton did a perfect job.” Vonnie Shane, Attendee at June workshop.
Miriam’s training empowered me to believe I could do it and more importantly, it gave me a blueprint for how to structure the agency.” Laura Chick, June 16, 2011.
“I wish I’d had this course last month.” Diana Madoski, Placer People of Faith Together, June 16, 2011.
“Another triumph of a presentation. Thank you Miriam!” Michael Allyn, Society for the Blind, June 15, 2011.
“Your training helped us get this award and several others over last year. I’m looking forward to using the skills learned from you over the next few years.” Lynne McGillivray, Development Manager, St. John’s Shelter Program for Women and Children, Inc., April 20, 2011.
The instructor was amazing – she is very enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable.” Attendee at March 23, 2011 training workshop.
“Thank you so much for teaching your two classes for us again. You are ALWAYS a favorite! It’s great to think that your students are now equipped with solid tools for fortifying their grant application process AND their fund development strategy. Thank you for your generosity to the Nonprofit Resource Center in offering these educational programs. Woo Hoo for Yoo!” Gail Catlin, Program manager, Nonprofit Resource Center, Sacramento, California, December 10, 2010.
“The tempo of the Nuts and Bolts workshop was just right and Miriam’s knowledge in the field was great … her handout is excellent also.” Attendee at December 8, 2010 workshop.
“You gave us clear strategies, not a lot of “tips and tricks” and fluff. Carol Anne Ogdin, December 8, 2010.
“Your workshop points are pure gold.” Carol Doersch, Volunteer for the American River Parkway Association, October 7, 2010.
“What an amazing job you did yesterday, June 10th, for Catholic Healthcare West and Mercy Foundation. We thank our lucky stars for you! Your remarkable effort has empowered a broad array of health and human service organizations to make a compelling case for the important work they do. In that, you have been a “midwife” to a better, more human community.” Gail Catlin, Program Manager, Nonprofit Resource Center, Sacramento, California, June 11, 2010.
“Not only are you a stellar presenter, but you are some kind of wonderful. Thank you for taking the time with me. You’ll never know what that meant to me.” Joanna Galindo, Catholic Social Services, Stockton, California, June 15, 2010.
“Miriam’s experience, understanding and insight make her an outstanding presenter. I feel re-invigorated to do a better job. I love coming to her classes.” Birdsong Sundstrom, Program Manager, Camptonville Community Partnership, Comptonville, California, February 18, 2010.
“In my 20 years of leading non-profit organizations, this has been the best grant writing workshop ever, with the best handout I’ve ever seen.” Janet Siller, Funding Director, Friday Night Live, Yolo County, California, February 17, 2010.
Here’s some of the feedback from my October 14, 2009 presentation at a “Reality Grantmaking” workshop in Sacramento, California: “You were wonderful! I don’t like doing this, but now I feel better about writing some more.” “Thank you so much ..I’ve written several grants, but learned so many tips today to make it easier in the future.” “You gave me the confidence and knowledge to start writing some proposals.” “I’ve worked on almost 20 proposals so far, but today I heard several excellent ways of improving my funding argument.” “I used your “boilerplate” directions and budget format and got onto the shortlist for recent funding. Thank you!” Josephine Watts. “What a great presentation!”
“Thank you for taking on such a huge task and being so helpful! You did a wonderful job and made such an amazing impression on our participants. We really appreciate your dedication to finding a cure for breast cancer.” Sommer N. Hayes, Grants, Volunteers and Education Coordinator, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Sacramento Valley Affiliate, October 2, 2009.
“I credit all the success I’ve had to the basic instructions and discussions I had with you more than four years ago.” Joyce Beeman, Board Member, A Touch of Understanding, Sacramento, California, January 2009.
“After your workshop, I put together the “easy stuff” for our program and I’m so glad I did. When I came back to it the next day, I felt as if I were returning to a familiar neighborhood instead of being “stared down” by a blank page.” Donna J. Russell, Institute for Family Counseling, Somerset, California, April 9, 2008.
“Thank you for your BUDGETING class yesterday. I really appreciate your clear and concise teaching style.” Kirsten Tripplett, Crocker Art Museum, March 26, 2008.
“You are definitely an experienced professional.” Megan Timpany, Executive Director, United Way Nevada County, February 1, 2008.
“Thank you again for the great one-hour workshop at Meet The Funders in Nevada County. You really know your stuff! Your class brought me new inspiration.” Kristy Dewey, January 31, 2008.
“I heard you speak ten years ago at an Association of Fundraising Professionals luncheon and it made such an impression on me that I still remember it today … it was the best 90 minutes I ever spent!” Deborah Bell Dancer, Grant Writer, November 2007.
“I do appreciate your graciousness and ability to roll with a different group than we had planned for.” Maurine Huang, Chief Executive Officer, Opening Doors, Inc., November 9, 2007.
Feedback from participants at my May 31st, 2007 “Budgeting for Grant Proposals” training scored the workshop at 4.80 out of a possible 5.00 rating. Comments in response to the question “What did you like most about this workshop?” included: “The open discussion format;” “Instructor’s passion and knowledge about the subject;” “Great instructor!;” “Very thorough in presentation and materials;” “The hands-on work;” “Took confusing topic and simplified it!;” “Lots of basic information and a lot of explanation;” and “I can see why Joyce speaks so highly of you as a person and an educator. I hope to be able to spend time with you again soon.”
“Susan, one of our staff members, was REALLY IMPRESSED…she’s attended many trainings, and yours was the best ever!” Maurine Huang, Executive Director, Opening Doors Inc., Refugee Resettlement Agency, February 12, 2004.
“You did a wonderful job with the training presentation and I appreciate the way you jumped right into our program and seemed to understand it.” Susan J. Harmon, National Safe Place Training Director, Louisville, Kentucky, April 21, 2003.
“Another winning class!! ‘How to Respond to Federal/State/County Requests for Proposals’ was really well-received…you do a superb job in communicating knowledge and information. You always do a first-rate job.” Jan Stohr, Executive Director, Nonprofit Resource Center, April 2002.
“You are the consummate professional and I am glad to have the opportunity to work with you.” Ann Lucas, Executive Director, Nonprofit Resource Center, Sacramento, California, April 1, 2007.
“Thank you for presenting at the ’5-A-Day-Power Play’ conference. Attendees found your presentation so useful in helping them write more concise reports. One person even noted that they were excited to start writing!” Melissa, Kristy, Susan and Tanya, May 2002
“Your presentation went over incredibly well. I had folks tell me that it was the best grant workshop they’ve ever attended.” Mary Poole, Management Analyst II, City of Citrus Heights, California, January 20, 2005.
“For your spirit and enthusiasm, thanks. … The feedback from participants of the Grant Writing Tips and Techniques workshop has been wonderfully positive! Thanks you so much for your facilitative skills … but more importantly, your personal touch with each participant group. It was a marvelous day.” Larry D. Moeller, Chair, Discipling Team, Sierra Pacific Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, April 2001.
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