The Grant Advantage: Funding Strategies That Strengthen Offers, Structure Deals, & Win Business

💰 The Grant Advantage Unlock More Buying Power. 

The Women’s Council of Realtors® – Capital Region, in partnership with the New York Mortgage Bankers Association (NYMBA), presents The Grant Advantage — a focused panel designed to give real estate and mortgage professionals a competitive edge in today’s market.

Grant programs are no longer niche — they are a competitive advantage. Agents and loan officers who know how to leverage these programs can expand buyer purchasing power, structure stronger offers, and keep transactions moving smoothly from pre-approval to closing.

💡 What You’ll Learn

✅ How grants increase buyer purchasing power
✅ How to position grant-funded offers competitively
✅ What listing agents need to know to confidently advise sellers
✅ How to avoid delays and keep grant deals moving smoothly
✅ Direct insight from the organizations administering these funds

🏡 Featured Speakers

• SONYMA — Bill Teague, Business Development Officer

• NYS HCR HOME Program — Sarah Braymer – Senior Project Manager, NYS HOME Program

• Affordable Housing Partnership — Susan Cotner, Executive Director

• RCHR/TRIP, Inc. NeighborWorks Homeownership Center — Nicole Casale, Program Manager of Housing Counseling & Wealth Building Strategies

• Albany County Rural Housing Alliance, Inc. — Julie Reynolds, Homeownership Advisor

• Better Community Neighborhoods, Inc. — Sherri Eckles, Director of Housing Counseling and Homeownership Programs

• CT Male Associates, Housing Consultants for the ADK Gateway Homeownership Program and the ADK Roots Home Buyer Initiative, Jim Thatcher, Manager, Community Development

• Federal Home Loan Bank / Homebuyer Dream Grant — Jacob Day, AVP, Housing and Development Program Manager

Agenda

8:30-9:30 - Breakfast & Networking
9:30-11:30 - Panelist Presentation moderated by Karl Meehan of WCR-Capital Region & Lisa Atkins of Arrow Bank
11:30-12:00 - Q&A session

Event Sponsorship Opportunities

To maintain the educational focus of this event, sponsorship opportunities are not open to banks or lending institutions. The Women’s Council of Realtors® and the Mortgage Bankers Association of New York are excited to provide an opportunity centered on education, collaboration, and empowerment for both lending and real estate professionals.

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS!

Upstate Agency

SONYMA

The Rohan Law Group

Block, Longo, LaMarca & Brzezinski, P.C.

Platinum Sponsor - $2,500 - 1 Available

• Individual Marketing table inside venue
• Company logo included on marketing materials distributed
• Company logo scrolling on screen at the event
• Company Executive to speak for 2 minutes 
• Social Media promotion with logo and link to company business page
• Verbal recognition at the podium 
• 5 complimentary tickets for attendees

Gold Sponsor   - $1,200 - 1 Available 

• Company logo included on marketing materials distributed
• Company logo scrolling on screen at the event
• Approved branded marketing materials to be used on tables
• Social Media promotion with logo and link to company business page
• Verbal recognition at the podium
• 3 complimentary tickets for attendees

Silver Sponsor - $750 - 4 Available

• Company logo included in marketing materials 
• Company logo scrolling on screen at the event
• Social Media promotion with logo and link to company business page
• Verbal recognition at the podium
• 2 complimentary tickets to the event

Exhibitor Sponsorship Upgrade (Gold or Silver) — $200 | (SOLD OUT)

• Individual Marketing table inside venue

Coffee Station Sponsor - $500 - 1 Available 

• Prominently display your company logo at the Coffee Station
• Company logo included in marketing materials
• Company logo scrolling on screen at the event
• Social Media promotion with logo and link to company business page
• Verbal recognition at the podium by the WCR board
• 1 complimentary ticket to the event