SERVICES WE OFFER
Raising Awareness, Raising Funds offers full evaluation of your fundraising strategy
and is able to assist you with all aspects of your organization’s development scheme.

Highlights
Grant Writing
With a particular strength in grant writing for organizations in the arts, historic preservation and community development, nature and the environment, I can target appropriate funders, help develop and strengthen programs, and write competitive proposals that win.
Through incisive interviewing, intuitive understanding and exhaustive research, coupled with over 25 years of professional writing experience, I can develop grant proposals that answer the needs of your organization.
Contact Us 614.218.5440
We Can Help!
For the small non-profit just starting a Grants initiative, I suggest following the steps below to develop a strong program that grows logically, doesn’t overwhelm your team with work or overshadow their current successes, and builds on your organization’s strengths:
STEP ONE, Prospect Research
STEP TWO, Relationship Building Begins
STEP THREE, The Case Statement

While you make your calls, I prepare a Case Statement database for easy completion of narratives and submittal of winning proposals. If you have grant proposals “in the can,” I strengthen them. If you don’t have grant proposals, I create them, writing answers to stock questions from your most likely funder prospects.
STEP FOUR, The Grants Calendar

STEP FIVE, Your Grant Initiative Takes Off!


Highlights
Development Plans
Development plans act as a roadmap for your non-profit to reach its financial (and other) goals. I help guide the creation of a robust and realistic plan that has vision and continuity, and engages and revitalizes your entire organization. Through a thorough assessment and evaluation of your current funding sources, needs and infrastructure, I can produce a plan tailored to your specific organization that will serve you today and into the future.
Contact Us 614.218.5440
We Can Help!
Learn more here
You need a development plan if …
You need a development plan if …
You need a development plan if …

You need a development plan if …

You need a development plan if …

If you’ve discovered you need a development plan …

… I can help you build a plan tailored to YOUR organization – not cookie-cutter – that is borne of your needs and distinct situation. The plan you will end up with will be totally recognizable because it will be YOUR organization’s observations, experiences, needs and wants, that drive the plan – not someone else’s prescribed idea of what you should do.

Sessions offered
Teaching & Training
If you ever wished there was a personalized, private, custom class or workshop designed specifically for you or your non-profit’s needs and schedule, I have just the thing for you. I offer tailored workshops for your organization, or for individuals looking to deepen their knowledge. Sessions are offered in-person or online, in group or private settings.
Contact Us 614.218.5440
We Can Help!
Grant Writing Fundamentals
An all-inclusive introductory course covers the basics, or a full-day session lets you arrive with a need for grant funding, and leave with a full proposal! Samples of successful proposals and other helpful take-aways provided. Read More…
Development plans for the non-grant-ready
A hands-on, step-by-step guide covering every aspect of a non-profit’s roadmap for success. Carolyn personally steers your non-profit through every phase of building a plan with buy-in from all stakeholders. Read More…
Understanding the Logic Model
This program planning tool is vital not only for some funders’ applications, but for all your non-profit’s programs, present and future. Bring a program idea to run through the Logic Model process and take away a fully vetted program. Read More…
Researching Funder Prospects
Finding well-aligned grants is a major piece of a successful grants program for any non-profit. Learn where to look for a great match, and what to look for when you find them. Read More…
Get ready! Get GRANT ready!
If your non-profit is not ready to start a grants program — or if you’re not sure what comes first, second, third in applying for a grant — Get Ready! We offer time-saving tips and steps to submitting a strong grant proposal. Read More…
The relationship between Grant Professionals and the non-profit Board
Grant pros and non-profit boards can help each other; they can open doors to possibilities that neither can accomplish single-handedly. Learn the right way — and the wrong way — to work together towards a common goal. Read More…
Upcoming Presentations:
January 19, 2021, 1pm
Event: Thompson Grants CPE-accredited webinar
Venue: virtual
January 20, 2021, 2 pm and 6 pm
Clinton County Foundation grant training
Event: webinar specific to CCF LEGACY Fund
Venue: virtual
March 9, 2021
“Effective Communication with Funders”
Event: Association of Fundraising Professionals Central Ohio chapter meeting
Venue: virtual
Spring 2021
“Grant Writing Basics” (morning session)
and
“Marketing Your Grants Consultancy” (afternoon session)
Event: Grant Professionals Association Regional conference
Venue: virtual
Recent Trainings
November 6, 2020
“The Theory of Evolution: Planning for Growth and Sustainability in your Consulting Business”
Event: Grant Professionals Association national conference
August 26, 2020
“Practical Skills in Prospect Research”
Event: Thompson Grants webinar series
June 16, 2020
“Grants in the Age of Coronavirus”
Event: Central Ohio AFP webinar
June 11, 2020
”Grant Readiness for the Non-profit”
Event: AFP Springfield chapter meeting
June 2, 2020
“Prospect Research”
Event: GPA Miami Valley chapter meeting
May 13, 2020
“Protecting Your Time: A Consultant’s Strategy for the Non-Grant-Ready”
Event: Grant Professionals Association webinar
March 4, 2020
“The Logic Model: a hands-on interactive exploration”
Event: OSU Nonprofit Immersion class
February 19, 2020
“Prospect Research: a hands-on interactive exploration”
Event: OSU Nonprofit Immersion class
November 8, 2019
(Carolyn’s 3rd conference training)
“The Theory of Evolution: Planning for Growth and Sustainability in Your Consulting Business”
(in partnership with Scot Scala, GPC and Lisa Sihvonen-Binder)
Event: Grant Professionals Association Annual conference
August 8, 2019
“Building Your Consulting Business: What to Consider (if you aren’t a consultant) & How to Make it Grow (if you are!)”
Event: Grant Professionals Association Central Ohio chapter meeting
Feedback: “Carolyn nailed it! … Carolyn’s presentation style was fantastic. She did a great job teaching an important topic … very good presentation, humor, great examples … Carolyn is always an engaging speaker! … Great presentation by Carolyn … Informative … very helpful … great content … good timing and pace … just fun to listen to … information was relevant even to those working for an agency … love the way she made connections of how she personally evolved. “
Carolyn has held other trainings for:
- Ohio State University Nonprofit Immersion Program students
- Indiana University / Purdue students
- Ohio Educational Council OSTs and after-school professionals (OTAGS conferences)
- Americorps/VISTA volunteers
- I Know I Can volunteers
- ServeOhio leadership and volunteers
What people are saying about Carolyn’s presentations:
“…engaging, informative and helpful June 11th presentation! FUNDRAISING READINESS was a popular topic and you were awesome! Thanks for all you do!”
Linda G. Butler
GSAFP Board President
“Your presentation was very well received by attendees. The information in your presentation, hands-on experiences, and additional reference material you provided were both fascinating and timely. “
Michaela Taylor
Director of Student Support
Educational Council
“Carolyn offered a look at Grant Writing 101 which was both basic but in depth. I really appreciated Carolyn's ability to take a complex conversation and break it down in a way that was understood by all. Thanks Carolyn!”
Lynne M. Wise
AmeriCorps Coordinator
American Red Cross
Carolyn presented at LifeCare Alliance for Community Shares of Central Ohio on Grant Readiness
Carolyn led a table discussion on Diversity & Inclusion for Association of Fundraising Professionals Central Ohio chapter at The King Arts Complex
Carolyn was part of a panel discussing grants for the arts in Central Ohio, held at Wild Goose Creative
As one of 4 of her Grant Professional Association chapter’s “GPC Ambassadors” (Grant Professional Certified), Carolyn co-presented with Sue Green, GPC (right) to fellow chapter members at Alvis on the merits of becoming certified. Her other Ambassadors are Susan Kim Jones, GPC (left), and Kathy Hatfield, GPC (center).