grants: doing more with less

This session will help nonprofits develop a strategic approach to grantwriting by finding and selecting the grant prospects that are right for them. The session will cover how to conduct an efficient search for grant prospects using free and low-cost online tools, prioritize and maximize prospects, and create easy-to-use tools that capture and organize this information. By using these tools, participants will maximize their chances to secure grant funding as they identify the best prospects for their organization. We know that grant funding can be hugely transformative for smaller nonprofits, and this approach can help identify and unlock this vital support.

Alaina Schultz, Associate Consultant, The Ostara Group

Alaina provides thoughtful grant research, proposal writing, grant portfolio management and strategy to her clients. She brings seven years of experience working in grants management, operations, research, and finance in both nonprofit and philanthropic organizations in Washington state. Alaina has worked on grants at the University of Washington, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Philanthropy Northwest, and OneAmerica. She has volunteered and interned at the Mountaineers, the Washington Trails Association, the Council of American-Islamic Relations, the King County Domestic Violence Protection Order Program, and iLEAP. Alaina holds a Bachelor’s Degree in international studies from Seattle University.

Olivia Miller, Consultant, The Ostara Group

Olivia has experience in several facets of fundraising, including grant writing, membership campaigns, special events, and institutional giving for many nonprofit organizations in New York City and Seattle. At Ostara, Olivia has worked with a variety of small- to mid-sized nonprofits who work in the arts, emergency services for the homeless, environmental education, outdoor youth opportunities, family law, homeless youth employment, music education, and more. Within this work, Olivia has supported her clients through capital campaigns, leadership transition, program development, public grants, prospect research, and overall grant strategy. She has built successful strategies and grant proposals for many public and private funders, such as the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Building Communities Fund, National Endowment for the Arts, Norcliffe Foundation, Medina Foundation, and more. Her strategy focuses on organizations’ missions, community need, and unique impacts and programs. She likes to look at the big picture of proposals, ensuring that fundraising materials reflect the brand and voice of the organization. Olivia holds an MFA in Arts Management with a focus on nonprofits from Brooklyn College.