Lily Graham, Mpaff Email & Phone Number

Denver, Co, Us

Research and development of grant proposals for three emerging Austin nonprofits, securing over $250,000 in multi-year funding. Design and implement robust metrics and data-collection strategies to empower new organizations in effectively managing and utilizing their data. Foster strong relationships with external funders through regular performance reporting and proactive communication.

Responsible for managing the post-award process, including contract negotiation and comprehensive reporting for a variety of grants spanning federal, municipal, county, and private funding sources. Ensure compliance with funder requirements through internal program monitoring and leads external funder reviews by preparing essential documentation. Collaborate closely with the Finance team to track monthly grant expenditures and works with program leaders to strategically budget for program needs.

Performed comprehensive on-site Monitoring Occupancy Review (MOR) of Section 8 project-based federally subsidized contracts across the states of Texas and Arkansas. MOR review included auditing selected tenant files to determine accurate use of HUD funding and compliance with outlined property operations. Additionally, REAC inspection results are followed up on to evaluate the physical condition of each property. Findings, observations, and calculation errors are documented in the final MOR report that is sent to each property while HUD databases are updated with the MOR property score.

Promoted to Housing Eligibility Specialist II which includes additional responsibility working closely to management. Responsibilities include performing quality control screenings on completed files to ensure correct calculation and rent payment to participating landlords. Evaluate and process movers based on rent estimates, requesting initial inspections, processing initial lease contracts, and adjusting payments to landlords and tenants upon move-in. Trained on portability procedures and billing for tenants sent to or from Housing Authorities outside of Austin.

Started my first full-time position in Austin, TX as a caseworker for over 400 Housing Choice Voucher holders. Conducted approximately 40 in-person annual re-certification appointments monthly to update household income and family composition. Processed interim changes for household income and family composition as needed. Calculated affordability and anticipated rental portions for lease renewals as well as for tenants looking to transfer their voucher to a new unit. Developed proficiency in caseload management and customer service while mitigating tenant and landlord issues.

Took part in a year-long Policy Research Project in which the Harris County Sheriffs Office tasked LBJ students with providing a report focused on improving the current experiences of women in custody at the Harris County Jail. I focused on consolidating national research on reentry programming, case management, and needs assessment procedures centered around gender-responsive practices. This information was compared to discussions of current practices with key administrators and women in custody during several meetings at the jail. I gained particular experience in program evaluation in terms of conducting a visioning session with Harris County Jail administrators in identifying gender-responsive principles and values to ground their work with women in custody. This report serves as broader recognition of the national conversation on how to treat women in custody based on their distinct needs, with hopes to broadly expand approaches to criminal justice reform.

Took part in a year-long Policy Research Project through the LBJ School of Public Affairs in which the City of Austin sought to evaluate their return on investment for three local workforce development programs. I performed outreach to approximately 100 graduates from each workforce development program to gather qualitative data on the individual impact of participating in a particular training program. Responsibilities included evaluating data and storing anonymously. This insight exposed me to the worthwhile impact of education and workforce training programs in having a multigenerational impact on lifting individuals and families out of poverty and into the middle-class.

Bloomington, Indiana Area

LIFEDesigns, Inc. provides supportive affordable housing and wrap-around services for adults with disabilities in Bloomington, Indiana with the goal to promote self-sufficiency for its clients. I was hired on as a Quality Assurance intern for their Human Rights Committee to improve the efficiency of their behavioral health plan approval practices. I gained proficiency in digitizing client files in an encrypted database to locate current and previous behavioral health forms. This experience led me to be involved in other areas of the organization, such as cofounding a recreational Technology Club for clients as well as becoming a board member my final year of college.

Manhattan, New York

Created an organizational system for costumes while managing the front desk as a receptionist. Worked on a major project collecting and consolidating on-site information for the company's summer tour throughout Italy.

Master Of Public Affairs

Activities and Societies: RGK Center's Nonprofit Portfolio Program

Master'S Degree, Public Affairs

Bachelor’S Degree, Sociology

Psychology Minor, Certificate in Nonprofit Management

Poverty And Development, Community Engagement

Six week summer study abroad program