Learn How to Secure Grants at Oro Valley Chamber’s Wisdom Wednesday
Nonprofits, community leaders, and local business owners will have a valuable opportunity to build their fundraising skills at the next Wisdom Wednesday hosted by the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce. The upcoming session, titled “Grant Writing for Growth”, will be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM MST at the Oro Valley Chamber Office, located at 1822 E Innovation Park Drive.
The featured presenter will be Leah Noreng, former Executive Director of the Amphi Foundation and a past Chamber team member, now working with El Rio Cycling. Noreng will guide attendees through the essentials of writing winning grant proposals and understanding what funders look for in successful applications.
Free for Members, Accessible for Guests
The event is free for Oro Valley Chamber members and $15 for guests. According to the Chamber’s event listing, seats often fill quickly for Wisdom Wednesday sessions. While no refunds are offered, substitutions are accepted with advance notice. Registration is open through the official Chamber calendar.
What Attendees Will Learn
Wisdom Wednesday’s format emphasizes practical learning from real community professionals. Noreng will share insight gained from years of nonprofit management and grant writing. During her tenure at the Amphi Foundation, she helped fund innovative classroom projects for local teachers across the Amphitheater Public Schools District.
Her session is expected to cover key strategies for securing competitive funding, including:
- Identifying high-impact grant opportunities for small organizations
- Crafting compelling proposals that connect with funder priorities
- Building partnerships and community support to strengthen applications
- Tracking outcomes and reporting to improve long-term success
Participants will walk away with actionable guidance, sample frameworks, and recommendations for how to make their next grant application stand out.
About the Speaker: Leah Noreng
Leah Noreng has been active in the Southern Arizona nonprofit sector for over a decade. As the Executive Director of the Amphi Foundation, she helped local schools access critical classroom funding through private and corporate grants. Her leadership was recognized in community reports such as this KGUN9 feature on Amphi Foundation classroom funding, which highlighted the Foundation’s support for teacher-led innovation projects.
Noreng also worked directly with the Oro Valley Chamber in past years, helping support member outreach and nonprofit development. Today, she continues her involvement in the community through her role with El Rio Cycling, promoting health and wellness initiatives across Pima County.
About Wisdom Wednesday
Wisdom Wednesday is an ongoing educational series organized by the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce. Each session features a local expert or business leader who shares practical insights on topics such as leadership, marketing, workforce development, and nonprofit strategy. The program aims to help Chamber members and the wider Oro Valley business community grow their knowledge and professional networks.
Recent sessions have included presentations on strategic planning, employee engagement, and financial management. By focusing on local voices and real-world experience, the Chamber continues to make Wisdom Wednesday one of the most valuable and community-focused learning opportunities in town.
How the Chamber Supports Local Growth
The Oro Valley Chamber has been a cornerstone of the local business community, providing advocacy, networking, and educational resources for more than 50 years. Its events foster collaboration among entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and civic leaders to strengthen the regional economy.
As part of its mission, the Chamber actively promotes professional development through workshops like Wisdom Wednesday and larger networking gatherings such as Business Roundtables and Lunch & Learn sessions. The Chamber’s ongoing effort to provide practical resources reflects its long-standing commitment to local prosperity and collaboration.
Why Grant Writing Matters for Oro Valley Organizations
Nonprofits play an essential role in maintaining Oro Valley’s strong community network. From youth programs to environmental initiatives, grants help sustain the organizations that make the region thrive. However, navigating the complex world of grant applications can be intimidating for small teams or first-time applicants.
Workshops like Wisdom Wednesday help demystify the process and equip local leaders with tools to compete for funding successfully. By learning from experienced professionals like Noreng, attendees can boost their confidence, refine their storytelling skills, and identify new funding opportunities aligned with their missions.
Real Impact from Local Grant Programs
Under Noreng’s leadership, the Amphi Foundation distributed thousands of dollars in teacher grants each year. One KGUN9 report noted that the Foundation awarded over $20,000 for innovative classroom projects, including robotics, science kits, and outdoor learning gardens. That kind of investment directly supports students and teachers while strengthening community ties.
Noreng’s insight into how these programs are developed and funded will provide attendees with examples they can adapt for their own organizations. Whether applying for education grants, health funding, or community development resources, the same core principles apply: clarity, relevance, and measurable outcomes.
Event Details and Registration
- Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
- Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM MST
- Location: Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce, 1822 E Innovation Park Dr, Oro Valley
- Admission: Free for members, $15 for guests
- Registration: Online via the Oro Valley Chamber website
Stay Connected
For upcoming community workshops, readers can explore the Community Events page or check the Business Directory for local nonprofits and business resources. Readers interested in professional development and local commerce can also visit our Local News section for updates on Chamber activities and regional business growth.
Key Takeaway: The November 5 Wisdom Wednesday event offers a rare chance to learn hands-on grant writing skills from one of Oro Valley’s most experienced nonprofit leaders. Whether you’re managing a nonprofit, volunteering for a local cause, or running a small business, this one-hour workshop will deliver real-world insights into funding strategies and community collaboration.