How did you become a grant pro?

Most of my early nonprofit experience was direct service within domestic violence agencies. In fear of burnout, I wanted to try something different. After undergrad, I moved across the country to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA at a nonprofit in Tucson, Arizona. My role was centered around in-kind donations within the Development department and I got my first introduction into the world of fundraising. I was sold!

After that VISTA year, I was fortunate to be hired by Youth On Their Own as their first full-time grant writer in 2013. I learned on the job by attending trainings, shadowing our Director of Development, reading books and previously submitted proposals, attending GPA conferences, and learning from colleagues within our newly formed Southern Arizona GPA chapter. 10 years later I’m now the Senior Grants Manager.

You have an employment arrangement, which may be a growing model for grant professionals, working 100% remote for an organization located in a different state. What are the pros and cons of this situation?

For me, there are so many pros and just a few cons -

Pros: Singlehandedly, the biggest pro has been a flexible work location. I was in-house and in-person for the first four years while working at Youth On Their Own. Due to my husband’s active duty Air Force career, we had to move three times over the years. One of these bases was within a small town with few nonprofit job prospects. Being able to remain employed by the same agency while working from a different state was crucial to my career. Most military spouses don’t have that opportunity for job longevity and I’ve been fortunate to remain on staff for over a decade! Flexible work hours are also incredibly beneficial since we have two small children and my husband travels a lot for his work. The pandemic has created so many opportunities for virtual meetings and RFP TA sessions, which were sometimes a challenge to attend when I was working remotely pre-COVID.

Cons: As the only remote staff member, it can be tough getting to know new staff and building authentic rapport through Teams and Zoom calls. However, our team is pretty creative in doing fun staff bonding activities, many of which have virtual options. Once a year, I visit in-person to meet staff and funders. Being out of state also means I need to coordinate with in-house staff for site visits and check presentations. Finally, it takes a bit more effort to explain our organization’s mission to folks in Colorado, since they aren’t familiar with this out-of-state program.

What advice would you offer to a grant professional considering entering into 100% remote work?

• Understand expectations regarding work hours and be transparent with your schedule. Trust is huge! Don’t take your remoteness for granted. 

• Ensure you have the proper technology set up and discuss with your supervisor a plan for fulfilling your tech and supply needs (e.g., printer, webcam, computer/laptop, preferred method of ordering more ink and paper, desk phone with local area code, etc.). 

• Have a dedicated work space.

• Establish a communication channel with your teammates so you don’t bog down your inbox. We use Teams a lot. Do video calls whenever possible so people can see you!

• Make sure your org has a fleshed-out process for digital files (e.g., grant documents, mail donations, etc.). Before my first out-of-state move in 2017, we had volunteers scan all our paper grant files and ensure they were stored electronically.

During your career, what has been your most exciting grant?

Probably my very first one from our local Rotary Club Foundation! I was in a two-day grant training in my early months when I got the award email. It was validation that I was learning fast and could really succeed at this! I also remember feeling especially ecstatic that it was $25,000, which felt like a million dollars at the time.

Also, not specifically a grant, but perhaps one of my biggest professional achievements has been earning my GPC in June 2023. I remember seeing those letters after the names of some major grant goddesses in my early years and never imagined I could do it too. Throw in working from home with two kids under two and relocating our family a few times, professional development wasn’t high on my to do list for many years. I am so thankful for the COGPA chapter for providing a partial scholarship that motivated me to go for it! It’s been such a career confidence booster.

What do you like most about grant work?

I have always loved writing, reading, organizing, and researching, which are critical components of grant work. I also am very passionate about YOTO’s mission of helping youth experiencing housing insecurity graduate from high school, and while I’m not working directly with our participants, I am responsible for securing funds to support the work. It’s a very rewarding job.

As a grant professional, how do you like to be appreciated?

Shout outs for the special grant awards. Celebrate the wins!

How do you like to unwind?

Depending on the type of unwinding needed, either reading a good fiction book or going for a solo run or hike. Also HGTV.

What brings you joy?

Traveling, checking out new microbreweries with my husband, and spending time with my kids and family. I’ve also really enjoyed getting into gardening since moving to Colorado.

Describe your approach to grants in five words or less. 

Understand what drives your audience.

How did you become a grant pro?

In 2010, my husband and I moved back to our home state of Colorado, after 15 years in Washington, DC (and six years in Los Angeles before that). I had been a historian at the Smithsonian Institution during our time in DC, and I was ready for something new. When we arrived in Fort Collins, CO, the job market was abysmal. I decided to reinvent myself and start my own business. I hit upon grant writing, realizing I had transferable skills in a market that needed more grant writers.

During your career, what has been your most exciting grant?

One of the first projects I worked on as a new grant writer was a capital campaign to support the expansion of our senior center. I had very little grant writing experience, so when that first capital grant came in for $150,000, I was so elated I cried!

What do you like most about grant work?

I really enjoy the collaborative process. As a consultant, I don’t specialize in any one area. I have clients in early childhood, youth development, disability, poverty alleviation, and the performing arts. I bring my expertise in grant writing and my clients bring their subject matter expertise. True collaborative writing is the most persuasive, in my opinion. It is achieved when you read through a proposal and can no longer tell who wrote what.

What is one tip you share with new grant pros?

Learn everything there is to know about all of the aspects of grant writing that have nothing to do with writing: budgets, evaluation, project management, etc. There’s a good chance you came to grants because you love writing, and at least some of these skills are not your strong points.

What is your favorite strategy for online applications with word/character limits?

At this point I’ve internalized character counts. I know what 1,500 looks like compared to 2,000, for example. So, I’m pretty close the first time around. I like to find different ways to say the same thing, only better. Doing things like eliminating adjectives and punctuation seems silly, but I’ll do it if I’m in a hurry.

If you could change one thing about the world of grants, what would it be?

Honestly, I’m somewhat uncomfortable with the need for this entire wealth transfer enterprise. The amount of time, effort, money, and people it takes to redistribute wealth to where it is needed is pretty oppressive when you stop and think about it. I like to imagine a world where foundations, grant writers, and nonprofits are no longer needed.

As a grant professional, how do you like to be appreciated?

Here’s a recent story. A client sent me an email this weekend, “Hi Maggie. I hope you enjoyed your hike yesterday. I appreciate you!” I have another client right now who is unhappy with me, and this email was an important reminder that I have four other clients who are satisfied with my work. Kindness counts!

Describe your approach to grants in five words or less.

A rising tide lifts all boats. Okay, that’s six – ha, ha!!

How do you like to unwind?

Hiking in the beautiful Colorado Rockies!

What brings you joy?

My husband makes me laugh every single day.

What is the source of the name of your consulting company?

I like word play. When I started my consulting business, I was interested in applying creative storytelling techniques from my history museum background to grant writing. Somehow through playing with synonyms, I came up with StoryForge. I like the word forge – it’s both a verb and a noun, meaning to shape or create.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I recently became a chicken tender. I mean, chicken keeper – but I think chicken tender is funny. Chickens are little dinosaurs and are surprisingly funny and emotional creatures.

How did you become a grant pro?

I learned to write grants to stay employed! I worked as a project specialist on two state grants and reported on the grants, managed the budgets, and wrote annual grant revisions. When the grants ended, I discovered I had the beginnings of a skill set that I wanted to continue! My desire to write and my love for persuasion were assets that I could use to make a difference for others.

During your career, what has been your most exciting grant?

During my 21 years with my local school district, we received a lot of grants that were really rewarding, adding school counselors and mental health specialists, improving the security and safety of buildings, grants for nutrition programs, and after school grants at high-need schools. The most exciting grant I wrote was a federal Department of Justice 5-year grant for mentoring programs, and the excitement emerged from working with an outstanding local non-profit that had an established mentoring program already in place. This grant grew my interest in working with more community partners, breaking down some of the silos that keep schools separate from more holistic work in communities.

You served on the CO Chapter Board of Directors for four years. What is most rewarding about this service?

I’ve been truly fortunate to be part of Colorado GPA. I was part of the first group of grant professionals in Colorado who tried unsuccessfully to get a chapter off the ground. When a new group emerged again, I wanted to be part of making it happen the second time. Luckily, we have strong leaders in charge who set goals and have great ideas for keeping the Chapter moving forward. I love being part of the energy to make the Colorado Chapter succeed.

You have also been a long-time member of GPA. What do you tell new grant pros about the benefits of GPA membership?

A lot of GPA members say the same thing I’ve said: “GPA is where I found my people.”  I was the sole grant writer for all my school district years. It’s true—no one has a clue what a grant writer does until you hand them an award letter or a check!  My success is based on the opportunities I took to attend GPA Conferences and trainings and to meet and commiserate with other GPA members. Obtaining my GPC was also a huge benefit to my career.

If you could change one thing about the world of grants, what would it be?

I know this isn’t going to change, but online grant systems—no two are alike—can be so frustrating, especially if you are not provided with all the information up front. I also get very annoyed with the federal government systems that change constantly and never get any better. I call it JUSTChaos.

As a grant professional, how do you like to be appreciated? 

Personal notes, flowers, and always--chocolate!

If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why? 

I most enjoy dinners with my kids and husband and all the many people who let me be their friend. Keeping connected is really important to me: sharing stories, memories and laughter.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I’m a graduate of South Park High School and attended Edith Teter Elementary School like all the characters in the show.

How did you become a grant pro?

I find it odd that I’m now considered a grant pro, it wasn’t something that I ever thought I’d be doing. It was not a linear process.  I am a macro-level social worker and spent my career hearing: “if only we had funding, I bet we could …”  I worked in health policy developing RFPs and managing health contracts.  My family was stationed overseas with the military and I volunteered for a military private organization where I chaired a grants committee, similar to being a program officer. Our Committee was responsible for granting $500,000 to military and German organizations and I was responsible for building processes and ensuring compliance with federal regulations.  I officially became a grant pro when the UCHealth opportunity presented itself. Being skilled as a grant pro allows me to help my colleagues strategize real solutions related to “if only we had funding.” 

During your career, what has been your most exciting grant?

I should start by saying that all of the grants that I have had the opportunity to work on have been at the invitation of a program leader and I wouldn’t have success if not for the team I’m lucky to work with.  The first grant we won at UCHealth- a Federal Communications Grant- during the peak of the pandemic was a thrilling achievement: 1) because of the immediate need for technology, 2) because of the large dollar amount, and 3) because it was my first successful award.  

What do you like most about grant work?

I love working with my colleagues to take ideas into impactful projects and programs. I love to see the results of those actions- the changes made to lives and organizations. 

What is one tip you share with new grant pros?

Quickly assess your colleague’s level of understanding of grant development and implementation and providing coaching and knowledge so they can better support the activities. 

What is your favorite strategy for online applications with word/character limits?

I do prefer online applications because they force me to be concise. Still, after all my training, I feel the need to explain more. Every application provides me the opportunity to get better. For online applications, I draft the narrative in a word document and copy sections into the online application. If I am over the limits, I go back to the word document and reduce my words down to the main points until it fits. It’s a great exercise. I find it odd that online applications consider spacing in the word count. 

If you could change one thing about the world of grants, what would it be?

Grants should not create more burden than they are financially worth. I’d like to see the effort required to apply and manage the grant be equal to, or slightly less, than the funding awarded. Organizations, big or small, are short resourced in some area that leads to grant seeking in the first place.  

As a grant professional, how do you like to be appreciated?

The kindest act of appreciation from my colleagues is to not expect me to write another grant shortly after I’ve completed a grant submission.  It’s mentally exhausting work. The amount of time between grant writings varies depending upon the amount of effort I’ve given. 

How do you like to unwind?  

I walk in nature- alone. It resets my balance. 

What brings you joy?

Being with my loved ones and favorite people without distractions; knowing I can give my full attention to the moment. Having an unscheduled day. Seeing happiness and peace in action in the world. Babies, puppies and kittens. Spring flowers, fall leaves, and the first snowfall.  

If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel. She created an iconic brand by having grit, resilience, and an incredible drive. She was a woman who believed in herself, who must have been challenged daily for her vision; her life wasn’t easy and yet she continued to rise.  Her mother died when she was a girl and her father struggled to care for her. She started her life with incredible challenges and shaped the world’s culture as a result of overcoming these obstacles.  

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I’m from Rhode Island. My last visit home was in the winter, and my mother and I spent a few days in Newport where I went for an early morning run on the cliff walk and said hello to the only other person out that early - Taylor Swift, walking her dog. 

How did you become a grant pro? 

I got started in grants in my first job out of college as a Development Coordinator at an opera company. While the job included all aspects of fundraising and development, I gravitated toward the grant aspect and received a Fundraising Certificate from the Support Center for Nonprofit Management in New York.

I then worked in Marketing & Publicity for the University Center for the Arts at Colorado State University, while also doing some alumni development work. After having my first kiddo I stopped working full time. I got back into part-time grant work about two years later and have been working as a freelance consultant for five years, primarily in performing arts and music-related organizations. After discovering the GPA, I knew I wanted to earn my GPC, which I did earlier this summer. 

During your career, what has been your most exciting grant?

I recently helped develop a project and proposal that allowed 12 organizations throughout the local community to have underwriting campaigns with a radio station that highlighted their work in the community through PSAs, social media posts, and on-air interviews. The campaigns were underwritten by the grant award (one of the largest in the organization’s history) and offered to organizations at no cost. We tracked metrics throughout the campaigns and were thrilled with the increased visibility these community organizations received – a very rewarding experience. The program received very positive feedback and leveraged more funding for the project. The project also became a model for other ways to grow the organization’s community impact. 

What do you like most about grant work?

I love telling a story. In many cases, the work accomplished by nonprofits is remarkable, and I continue to be in awe of their resilience and passion. It’s “heart work” – the mission, the vision comes from a place of deep caring for a cause and the community. That’s the story I love to tell.

What is one tip you share with new grant pros?

Write the budget first! It truly creates a great/practical outline for the rest of your proposal and opens up essential discussions at the beginning before you get too far into the application.

What is your favorite strategy for online applications with word/character limits? 

Obviously, dump all the questions into a word document. I also like to look back at other grant applications I’ve written and check their character/word counts so I can get an idea of how much storytelling space I have to work with in a new application.

If you could change one thing about the world of grants, what would it be?

Understanding the role of grants in an organization – they are not “free money” and cannot solve all financial problems within an organization. 

As a grant professional, how do you like to be appreciated?

I certainly enjoy the feeling of getting that award call or email. I really love the moments when I’m working with a staff member or director and ideas just click – we get to the same conclusion together. That moment when the project plan comes together, and we know we’ve got something really special – those are the most rewarding. I also love to make grant awards a team celebration… which usually involves donuts. I love helping the whole team understand their role in grant awards. 

Describe your approach to grants in five words or less. 

Think about the funder’s perspective.

How do you like to unwind?

I LOVE European soccer (football), and that’s what you can find me doing most Saturday mornings, with my tea and biscuits. My favorite time of the week is watching a 5:30 a.m. match on Saturday morning all by myself. I also love reading, particularly fiction and nonfiction about English history.

What brings you joy?

Being with my two young kiddos and my husband is my greatest joy. I also love to travel and have been to seven different countries so far, and ready for more!

If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

Hands down, C.S. Lewis and/or Dorothy Sayers. Two of my favorite writers, they greatly influenced my worldview and increased my knowledge of philosophy and theology.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

Ich spreche ein bisschen Deutsch. (I speak a bit of German).

How did you become a grant pro? 

My story is similar to many here: I didn’t plan it. It just happened. I earned a resource conservation (environmental science) degree and found most of my early jobs in the nonprofit sector. Anytime I created a new program or project, I had to write grants to make them happen. I enjoyed the task and found success, so I started taking classes (etc.), and here I am. 

During your career, what has been your most exciting grant?

In my first “real” job, I wrote a grant that I thought was a slam dunk for a specific funder. I was incredibly disappointed to get a rejection letter from them, but a week later, we received a (personal) check from the foundation’s president. A letter accompanied the check explaining that the foundation’s interests were changing and that she disagreed with the change. She felt our project aligned perfectly with them and wanted to fund it herself. Although this foundation had some apparent internal issues to work through, I was elated! The experience made me realize that real people with passion, like mine, were on the other side of the grant process. 

What do you like most about grant work?

So many aspects. I like talking with my clients and hearing their infectious passion and drive; sometimes, it is buried under a good layer of exhaustion, but it is always there. I enjoy “the hunt” when searching for grants- that moment when you find a funder that seems tailor-made for your nonprofit. I enjoy sinking into the flow of writing with my fingers sailing on the keys. Finally, I love getting the news that a grant has been awarded- it is a euphoric moment. 

What is one tip you share with new grant pros?

Don’t tweak the project to fit the funder. “Oh, if we just add x to the program, we are a perfect fit.” Avoid the temptation. 

What is your favorite strategy for online applications with word/character limits? 

This strategy isn’t mine- I got it from GrantZone a few months ago. Someone posted their “Lorem ipsum character count” cheat sheet (thank you!), and I love it! I open up that document, copy the number of allowed characters, and then paste it into my working document for the grant. I can reference it with a glance, preventing me from constantly using the word count feature, which messes up my flow. I wait to use the counter until I am done writing. 

If you could change one thing about the world of grants, what would it be?

Simplify! I get frustrated with overly long applications.

As a grant professional, how do you like to be appreciated?

I am happy with a sincere thank you from their staff and board (especially if I get to see/hear their genuine elation/celebration). Sharing my name is a nice touch. 

Describe your approach to grants in five words or less. 

Keep it brief, focused, passionate

How do you like to unwind?

Gardening, reading, or hanging out with friends/family (preferably with a glass of wine in hand).  

What brings you joy?

Trail running, skiing, rafting, paddleboarding, hiking/backpacking, belly laughs, and seeing my two kids accomplish a hard-earned goal. 

If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

I would love to meet Tina Fey or Amy Poehler. They’re strong women, working moms, intelligent, and hilarious. Neither of them pulls any punches, and I appreciate that (because I always worry about offending someone). 

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I’m a published photographer! But there is a funny story about how that happened. Years ago, the nonprofit I worked at (a river org) had an event where a professional photographer/author, Tim Palmer, came to share his river stories. He writes beautiful coffee table books and river guides. I got to know him a bit through that event. Fast forward to the summer of 2020, when there were still travel restrictions due to COVID- Tim was trying to finish his latest book: Field Guide to Rivers of the Rocky Mountains. He reached out and asked if I had a good picture of the Eagle River that could go in the book since he couldn’t make it here. At the time, we had a hobby photographer on staff and a former employee was a part-time professional photographer. I couldn’t reach either of them. Then I remembered that just a few months prior I had walked past my window to see an incredible sunrise over the Eagle River- I had run across the street with my cell phone and snapped a quick photo. I decided to send it to him- he loved it. It appears on page 75. 

How did you become a grant pro? 

Like many in this career, I fell into it. Twenty-odd years ago I was working at the Pikes Peak Center on Deafness (PPCOD) when my friend Kate introduced me to the work that EPYCS (El Pomar Youth in Community Service) was doing in Colorado Springs (take a look here – although this program is no longer around, it’s a great concept). Kate was a high school teacher whose students were involved in learning about philanthropy, reviewing proposals, and selecting nonprofits for funding, and she encouraged me to write some requests for PPCOD. I think we were awarded $3500 that year. Great incentive to keep writing grant proposals!

During your career, what has been your most exciting grant?

I was on a team that submitted (and was awarded) a $2M grant for advanced manufacturing in the Pikes Peak region from the US Dept of Labor. Although I only worked on a specific part of the narrative, it was nice to receive accolades as a team member.  

What do you like most about grant work?

Grants are like puzzles to me. That’s the fun part. The stress of deadlines, not so much. Figuring out how funding can fit the organization’s mission or programs—what’s in place, what’s needed, who are our partners (as long as we’re not chasing the money)—is the strategic thinking that intrigues me. The wordsmithing, too. I like the creative process of writing and looking for ways to tweak a narrative to make a compelling “sales pitch”.

What is one tip you share with new grant pros?

Many people think that writing grant proposals is like having an open checkbook. Just ask for whatever you want (and whenever), and the money’s there. Not so, sadly. Most often it will require some education from the grant pro to help others understand at least an overview of how the world of grants functions (applications, timelines, reporting, accountability, who needs to be involved, etc.). When they understand the parameters of grants, then the work for the grant pro tends to become easier.

What is your favorite strategy for online applications with word/character limits? 

Create/re-create the application in Word and use the word count feature. Then cut/paste into the online app. I’m a Word junkie.. 

If you could change one thing about the world of grants, what would it be?

Grant proposals would be an open checkbook. 

As a grant professional, how do you like to be appreciated?

I appreciate recognition of my work as a grant writer, but I usually think of my work as part of a team (program, department, organization, etc.) so I prefer to share any applause with colleagues.

Describe your approach to grants in five words or less. 

Don’t chase the money. Don’t.

How do you like to unwind?

Spending time on the Sunday New York Times crossword. 

What brings you joy?

Time with family.

If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Not just because of his PBS series “Finding Your Roots” (although that can be a fascinating journey into history), but for his incredibly thoughtful intelligence. I imagine that a conversation with him on any topic would be a deep and insightful discussion.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I memorized the Greek alphabet in school. Just rote, verbally, alpha to omega. Don’t ask me to start in the middle, or to write the letters, ha.