Susan Taylor Email & Phone Number

There is so much grant funding out there for community colleges and nonprofits. Finding it, knowing which opportunities to pursue, matching funding with your projects, interpreting the regulations… it can be overwhelming for leaders with lots on their plate already. I “fell into” nonprofit leadership at age 24. I found myself in a small town as the only person willing to take an executive director position at the local Boys & Girls Club. It was a really tough job and the pay was bad, but I was determined to make sure the kids who needed it would have a free hot dinner and a safe place to go on school nights. Period. That was my goal. During this time, I learned that grant seeking/writing was my super power. I can think of at least a dozen other super powers I would have chosen, but I have had the opportunity help thousands of people. I did make sure that our kids had a hot dinner and a safe place to go every day at the BGC. I also turned it around from a financially unstable entity to a thriving, community supported nonprofit. I went on to raise $25M for a community college that needed student scholarships, new academic programs, and three new buildings, as well as funding support following the most destructive school shooting in Oregon's history. I love having the opportunity to make a tangible difference in my community and secure funding to turn big ideas into reality.Now my goal is to get community colleges and nonprofits the funding they need not just to survive, but to THRIVE. Big ideas require big plans, and oftentimes big money. I have experience in every type of grant writing, but right now I specialize in writing two federal grant opportunities:- U.S. Department of Education Title III Strengthening Institutions Program - Economic Development Administration (EDA) Public Works and Economic Adjustment AssistanceThese grants are both available to other entities, but I want community colleges specifically to succeed. Why? These are BIG grants that are incredibly competitive (Title III is up to $2.25M, EDA is $600K-$3M). Securing them has an impactful economic ripple effect on communities. Community colleges have amazing talented staff, but usually not enough time to go after these grants. The need is urgent, and I’m here to help. But life’s not all work for me – I have two amazing kids who are curious and funny. We love to travel, be out in nature, learn new things. We recently took a two-month RV trip across the country to visit 16 national parks and monuments – it was quite an adventure and we are ready to do it again!

Listed skills include Grant Writing, Grant Reviewing, Grant Coordination, Educational Fundraising, and 23 others.