Why grants?

One of the perks of being a grant consultant - very cute coworkers. Who occasionally turn your internet off and insist upon themselves.

Like a lot of other grant writers, I kind of fell into grants.

I graduated college with a degree in Anthropology and the knowledge that I didn't want to be an anthropologist. I worked in a nonprofit childcare center for a bit before deciding to get my master's degree in public administration. Ah, the good old days where you could earn a living while figuring out what you wanted to do, right?

As part of my MPA curriculum, I took a class in grant writing and fundraising. Much to my surprise, I learned that my background in social science was a perfect fit for a career in grant writing. Not only was I used to writing that incorporated research and data, I was good at connecting the dots between what was being asked and what I had to say. 

I soon found a job writing grants for a family services organization. There, I managed family foundations and corporate grants as part of a dynamic and committed development team, and I was doing good. I found my spot in the world. 

But, I wasn't quite satisfied.

About a year after I started at this organization, my boss asked me to take over the agency marketing because I had a little experience writing newsletters. After that, I got a chance to write fundraising appeals and annual reports and case statements. I directed a major rebranding of the organization. I had caught the marketing bug.

I pursued marketing as a career for awhile, first at the family services organization, and then at my local public radio station and a short-lived stint in business resources. But, as I got farther down the marketing path, I was missing grant writing. I missed being able to tell stories and get my hands dirty in data. I missed connecting with people by sharing my organization's mission. I was designing, but I wasn't communicating. 

So I made an intentional move back to grant writing. I stepped off my marketing ladder and started over in grants. It's one of the best decisions I've ever made. 

Five years later, and I know now where I am supposed to be. I love grants. I love seeing the excitement of a program that just got funded, and I love seeing the excitement of a funder who is passionate about what they support. I love being a catalyst for change. 

As a grants consultant, I have a chance to be part of so many organizations' missions. And I love learning about my clients' challenges and successes across the country.

When I was starting out in the grown up world, I got the advice to do what you love and the rest will follow. I have been incredibly privileged to be able to follow that advice. I hope my work can make the world a better place so more people can live to work, not work to live. 

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