My work with nonprofit organizations is grounded in 35 years of combined professional experience across psychotherapy and trauma recovery, Christian ministry, and life and relationship coaching. Throughout those years, I have worked closely with people navigating trauma, grief and loss, disability and chronic illness, depression, addictions, homelessness, relationship conflicts, family challenges, economic hardship, major life transitions, and other complex circumstances.
My background in psychotherapy and trauma recovery taught me to listen beneath the surface, ask meaningful questions, recognize patterns and underlying needs, and understand how difficult circumstances affect individuals and families. It also taught me to communicate complex and sensitive realities with clarity, accuracy, compassion, and respect.
My ministry and life-coaching experience further deepened my understanding of purpose, relationships, personal change, spiritual concerns, and the importance of meeting people with dignity. As opportunities arise, I continue to support individuals navigating loss, transition, and significant life challenges. Together, these areas of experience strengthen the insight, empathy, and communication skills I bring to organizations serving people in difficult circumstances.
Through Funding Bridge Consulting, I serve faith-based ministries and human-services nonprofit organizations. My own ministry background helps me understand that a faith-based organization's mission is more than program language; it reflects a calling, a set of convictions, and a responsibility to serve people with integrity. I bring that understanding to the work while carefully considering funder fit, eligibility, and application requirements.
Those insights are especially valuable in human-services grant development. They help me look beyond a general program description to understand the people whose lives are affected, the human need the program addresses, and the meaningful outcomes the organization is working to achieve. I can then connect credible research and evidence with people's lived realities, helping funders understand both the seriousness of the need and the positive difference their support can make.
My Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Human Relations provide additional grounding in human behavior, relationships, communication, and the social systems that influence individuals, families, and communities.
Complementing this background is specialized training in nonprofit development, grant seeking, proposal development, fundraising, marketing, and nonprofit financial management. This preparation has strengthened my ability to assess funding opportunities, evaluate funder alignment, research and document needs, understand organizational and financial information, develop sound funding strategies, and prepare clear, credible, and persuasive grant proposals.
Through NonprofitReady, I have earned certificates in Grant Seeking Essentials, Proposal Development, Fundraising Essentials, Marketing Essentials, and Financial Management Essentials.
I am a member of the Grant Professionals Association (GPA), reflecting my commitment to ethical grant practice, continued professional development, and the standards of the grant profession.
I am also a Professional Member of the American Writers & Artists Institute. My extensive AWAI training in persuasive, reader-focused professional writing has strengthened my ability to organize complex information, identify the most compelling message, and communicate an organization's mission, needs, programs, and impact in ways that engage funders and donors.
Together, these areas of experience allow me to bring both human understanding and disciplined grant-development expertise to nonprofit work. I understand the people behind the programs, and I have the research, strategy, nonprofit, and professional writing preparation needed to build a strong case for why the work deserves support.
My approach goes beyond simply completing an application.
I do not treat a grant as an isolated writing assignment. I first seek to understand the organization, evaluate the opportunity, identify the strongest evidence, and determine what a funder needs to know to make an informed decision.
Working collaboratively with nonprofit leaders, I bring those elements together into a case for support that is accurate, persuasive, and grounded in the mission.
A personal note
Outside of my professional work, I’m a hobby artist, and I enjoy painting beautiful nature scenes. I also enjoy spending time in the mountains and taking short hiking excursions whenever possible. I treasure time with my family and with my little Pomeranian, Pepe. My Christian faith is an important part of my life and shapes the values I bring to my work, including integrity, compassion, stewardship, and service.