Heart Resources, LLC provides the following direct grant services for organizational grant-seeking and resource development.
Funder Research
Customized and objective funder searches with a written report listing “best fit” corporate, foundation, United Way, and local/state/federal government grant opportunities.
Demographic data in the form of profiles, charts, and narratives describing and illustrating the problems and needs of the populations served in geographic service areas.
Analysis of research-based practices (evidence-informed/evidence-based) and online searches for best-fit program models.
Monitoring and notifications for federal initiatives, challenge prize competitions, forecasts of grant opportunities, and RFP releases.
Consultation and Project Development
Proactive organizations are in the best position to win grants. Katherine is experienced in providing consultation to identify funding gaps, potential matching public and private funders, and realistic grant goals as part of a diversified development plan. Heart Resources, LLC does not endorse or engage in the practice of high-volume solicitations of unmatched funders (aka “shotgun approach” or “proposal mill”).
Grant Proposal Writing, Editing, and Reviewing
Due to concerns about the unauthorized sharing of client privileged information across AI platforms, Katherine utilizes only the Grammarly-Free App to correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation and improve the readability of grant proposal drafts and training materials. Comprehension and communication of the purpose of the grant application are informed by the organization’s expertise, Katherine’s proposal writing experience, and the value of providing a “second set of eyes” to create the best case for support.
Documents Experience:
Letters of Inquiry / Intent
Concept Papers / Pre-Proposals
Letter Proposals
Online Grant Submissions
Corporate Foundation and Sponsorship Requests
Community, Public, and Private Foundation Grant Proposals
Common Grant Applications
Donor-Advised Funds (DAF) and Major Donor Requests
United Way Grant Applications
Allegheny County and Pennsylvania Grant Applications
Federal Government Grant Applications
Grant Attachments and Related Documents
Grant Project/Program Budgets
Grant Proposal Editing and Revisions
Grant Office Start-Up and Virtual Grants Office
External Grant Monitoring and Report Writing
Grant Reviews - Pre-Application Rubric and Scoring, Markups, Heavy Editing
Grant Reviews for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Other Writing and Review Services
Request for Proposals (RFP) and Bid Documents*
White Papers
Staff Manuals, eBooks, and Books
"Secret Donor" Review and Feedback for Websites and Online Fundraising Content
Award Programs - Scoring and Judging
*Katherine’s book Grantepreneur: Getting Started in a Grant Career and Business, describes the difference between "grant writer" - the person who prepares the Request for Proposal (RFP) and "grant proposal writer" - the person who prepares the grant application, as described in Grantsmanship: Program Planning and Proposal Writing by Norton J. Kiritz. Katherine prepares both types of documents. The formal description of this type of business is "technical writer specializing in grants" because the Department of Labor has not yet recognized any grant positions or businesses. (Try typing "grant writer" into the Occupation Outlook Handbook at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/occupation-finder.htm)
Katherine is experienced in providing a capacity-building model of grant training and proposal coaching that assists staff teams in developing the ability to effectively work together for internal grant development and community impact. Go to the Grant Training Overview for more information.
Results
Many people ask about total career grant awards as an indicator of success and competency. Katherine has worked closely with organizational leaders and staff to craft the best case for support and identify matching funders. Heart Resources LLC has assisted organizations to win grants ranging from $1,000 to 10 million dollars, with an average grant award of $330,000. Proposals have received an overall $35M in awarded grants. Quality program planning, well-aligned funders, and articulate proposals have resulted in grants for afterschool programs and K-12 education, workforce development, youth literacy and STEAM activities, historic building renovations, facility construction, community health center programs, women's health research, advocacy, mental health programs, and general operating support.
The GPA Approved Trainer designation is based on an application containing grant course descriptions, learning objectives, competencies/skills list, and positive references of teaching skills from participants. Renewal of the application is required every three years.
The GPC is the only grant credential recognized by a nationally-accredited body and confirms mastery of the knowledge and practice of grantsmanship through formal validated testing. The GPC has become an industry standard attesting to qualifications and experience better than any college degree or grant training certificate. On May 31, 2019, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) granted accreditation to the Grant Professionals Certification Institute (GPCI) and the GPC credential for demonstrating compliance with the NCCA Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs.
The GPC credentialing process involves independent verification of awarded grants, years of grants experience, and references prior to taking the multiple choice and written exam. Maintaining the credential requires upholding ethical standards and accumulating over 100 CEUs by providing grant services and participating in professional development and volunteer service. Renewal is required every 3 years. Verify Katherine FH Heart, GPC at www.grantcredential.org.
In 2022, Katherine FH Heart, GPC, M.Ed. provided grant training courses that were approved by the GPCI Accepted Education Program. Participants may apply for GPCI Education Points towards acquiring or maintaining the GPC (Grant Professional Certified) credential. Learn more at http://www.grantcredential.org/.
