Meet the Funders

A CFWTX Community Connections Event

SOLD OUT

March 11 at Science Spectrum, 2579 S Loop 289 #250

Grant Writing Workshop & Meet the Funders Panel from 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM

(Lunch Included)

Panelists Include Representatives From:

The CH Foundation
Community Foundation of West Texas
Helen Jones Foundation, Inc.
Lubbock Area United Way
The M.S. Doss Foundation, Inc.
Parkhill
and More

Grant funding plays a vital role in helping nonprofits grow their impact across Lubbock and the South Plains, but knowing where to start can be overwhelming. While strong planning and community knowledge are essential, successful fundraising often depends on relationships and building meaningful partnerships with funders. This event is designed to help nonprofits navigate the funding landscape, strengthen connections, and unlock new opportunities for support.

Attendance is limited to the first 70 registrants.

Event Agenda

9:30 AM - 12 PM: Grant Writing Workshop

12 - 1 PM: Candid Foundation Directory Presentation

1 - 3:30 PM: Meet the Funders Panel

Meet Sharon Hyde Bass, the Grant Writing Facilitator

Sharon Hyde Bass has more than 30 years of experience in grant development, nonprofit leadership, and community capacity building. As the longtime Executive Director of the Volunteer Center of Lubbock, she wrote, supported, and oversaw successful grant submissions for local, regional, and national funders, helping secure resources that impacted tens of thousands of people each year. In addition to her hands-on grant writing experience, Sharon has spent decades teaching and coaching nonprofit leaders and staff to develop strong, effective grant requests on behalf of their organizations. With a background in education and a master’s degree in family studies, she is known for making the grant process clear, practical, and approachable—helping participants understand not only how to write a strong proposal, but how to think strategically and position their work for funding success.

Class Description: Grant Writing

Grants can be powerful tools for advancing your mission—but only when the right pieces are in place. This hands-on course goes beyond filling out applications to explore what truly makes a grant proposal successful. Participants will learn the nuts and bolts of writing a clear, compelling grant proposal, including how to tell your organization’s story, align your work with funder priorities, and present a strong case for support. Just as importantly, the course looks at what comes before submission: organizational readiness, program clarity, leadership and financial basics, and how to position your organization as a smart, credible investment. The course also touches on what happens after funding is secured—grant management, reporting, and building strong relationships with funders that support long-term success. Practical, engaging, and grounded in real-world experience, this class is designed to build both confidence and competence in grant writing.

Meet the Panelists

Sandy L. Ogletree

Executive Director of the CH Foundation

Sandy Ogletree was recently named the Executive Director of The CH Foundation in 2018. Previously she served as the Executive Director and Senior Vice President of the UMC Health System Foundation for seventeen years. She served as a Major Gifts fundraiser and was selected as Outstanding Fundraising Professional by the Lubbock Area Chapter of AFP in 2015.

Sandy currently serves on the Leadership Committee of Philanthropy Advocates and serves a member of Philanthropy Southwest and Texas Rural Funders.

Sandy is a native of Lubbock, Texas and received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Texas Tech University. She enjoys family, faith and friends. She is married to Mike and they are the proud parents of one son, Trey.

Mike W. Moss, AIA
Executive Vice President/Partner, Parkhill

Mr. Moss graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degrees and has actively been involved in the practice of architecture for over 43 years, serving in several different roles for Parkhill over the last 35 years.

While he now serves on the Project Delivery Team providing risk management and contract review, prior to these current responsibilities he served as the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Architecture for Parkhill.

Mr. Moss has served on many different boards and committees throughout the Lubbock community and is also an active volunteer with a number of organizations. He currently serves as the President of the Parkhill Foundation.

Amanda McAfee

President and CEO, Lubbock Area United Way

Amanda McAfee is the President and CEO of Lubbock Area United Way. She is a Lubbock native and Coronado High School graduate. Amanda has a Bachelor of Social Work from Abilene Christian University and a Master of Arts in Leadership from Denver Seminary. Her nonprofit experience spans more than two decades, including serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in South Africa where she worked in the nonprofit development program.

Amanda returned to Lubbock in 2012. Before joining United Way, she worked for United Way Community Partners Catholic Charities and the Volunteer Center of Lubbock. Amanda joined the United Way team in 2017 as a Campaign Division Director. She stepped into the Vice President of Communications and Marketing position in 2018 and the Vice President of Community Impact role in 2022.

Amanda’s daughter, Caroline, is a civil engineering major at Abilene Christian University, and her son, Jack, is in third grade at Hardwick Elementary School. The three enjoy camping, playing at the park, visiting the library, and participating in the many family activities Lubbock offers.

Lori Bagwell

Grants Manager, The M.S. Doss Foundation, Inc.

I’m Lori Bagwell, the Grants Manager for The M.S. Doss Foundation, Inc. in Seminole, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Doss were some of the first settlers in Gaines County and were involved in oil, gas, ranching and many charitable endeavors. The Dosses enjoyed helping others and the unfortunate. They had a deep abiding love for youth where much of their philanthropic work is conducted. The Foundation was established in 1984 and continues to give unselfishly to organizations throughout Texas, New Mexico and Colorado.

I have been with the Foundation for about 27 years in various capacities. I grew up south of Lamesa, attended Klondike High School and then South Plains College. I am engaged to a farmer near Lamesa and have two grown boys whom I am very proud of. My oldest is a teacher and coach at Plains ISD while the youngest received his CDL license and works for Gaines County.

Tami Swoboda

Senior Vice-President, Community Foundation of West Texas