SOUTH PORTLAND – The Institute for Youth Development, the largest grantee under the President’s Compassion Capital Fund Program, will bring together local faith-based and community organizations to learn how to win federal grants at the Compassion Capital Fund Grants Educational Conference on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 9 and 10, at the Sheraton South Portland Hotel, 363 Main Mall Road.

The conference is part of the Faith-Based and Community Initiative created by the President. It is designed to level the playing field for faith-based and community groups so they may participate in the opportunities to receive federal grants.

The institute will provide information on grant opportunities and technical assistance in the preparation of applications. The institute will award between 55 and 95 grants this year, the average being $20,000, to help local organizations become equipped to prepare highly-competitive applications for federal assistance.

The institute is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes a consistent, comprehensive risk-avoidance message to youth for five harmful risk-behaviors that are inextricably linked: alcohol, drugs, sex, tobacco and violence. To learn more about it and register for the conference, visit www.youthdevelopment.org or e-mail [email protected].