I help nonprofits build a realistic, well-organized institutional funding pipeline
It’s an unfortunate fact that funders don't necessarily fund the best programs—they fund the best-articulated case for a program—and that gap is where a lot of real, deserving work quietly goes unsupported.
I close that gap.
Twenty years of experience has taught me what attracts stakeholder interest ... and what doesn't. My background in journalism and advertising copywriting means I write clean, persuasive copy on deadline, built to grab attention and hold it. Most people think the rule of television news is “If it bleeds it leads.” Actually the number one rule is “Don’t be dull.”
In grant writing, that means turning what your program actually does into language a funder can 1) read and immediately trust, making them want to like you and want to help you, and 2) be persuaded of the importance of your mission.
I don't chase every open RFP. I dig into who a funder has actually funded before, what they say they care about, and what size check they tend to write—so your writing time goes toward prospects more inclined to say yes.
And I write toward outcomes, not activities. "We held 40 workshops" tells a funder what you did. "Participants' reading scores rose two grade levels" tells them why it mattered—and that's the sentence a reviewer remembers when the funding decision actually gets made.
The result is a pipeline that's lean and realistic, built on real alignment. Smoothly-flowing as well; I’ve produced accurate, fact-driven copy replete with “mandatories” (elements clients insist must be inside the copy) for multiple ad projects simultaneously, all while meeting with clients to hear feedback and address concerns. I bring the same portfolio of skills to grant writing.
If your grant calendar needs a sharper pen and a clearer plan behind it, let's talk.
John Grabowski San Francisco Bay Area based grant writing consultant - food security, nutrition, health, education
Services
From initial content discussions to completed files for submission, I work with you to produce:
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“Letter of Intent” templates to customize for prospective funders
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Full grant proposals meeting all funder requirements
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Attachments and Appendices (budgets, bios, vision statements, etc.)
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Grant reports to current funders
Grant Research & Writing
Your project deserves funding —and thanks to a career in journalism and advertising, I know how to make the case. Drawing on years of research and persuasive writing, I craft grant copy that pairs hard data with compelling narrative to show exactly why your work can't wait.
Strategy & Planning
Winning a grant starts long before you write a word. I help you identify the right funders, map your project's goals to what they actually care about, and build a strategy that sets your application apart before the first sentence is written, saving time and money.
Relationship Development
The best funding relationships don't start with an ask. I research and prospect for funders aligned with your mission, then help you build the kind of authentic, lasting connections that turn first-time donors into long-term champions.
Content & Communications
Every touchpoint with a donor is a chance to deepen their belief in your work. I bring professional advertising copywriting to the full spectrum of nonprofit content — from case statements and annual reports to website fundraising pages — crafting stories of impact that don't just inform, but inspire action.
Adjacent Fundraising
Not every funding opportunity looks like a grant—and not every ask is the same. I write across the full spectrum of fundraising, from major gift proposals and capital campaign materials to crowdfunding copy and corporate sponsorship, tailoring language and strategy to match the stakes of each.
Some great organizations I've helped recently
