Meet our Grants Manager, Katie! With a passion for making a difference and a proven track record in the world of grants, Katie joins our team to spearhead our pursuit of impactful funding opportunities. Her expertise in grant management and her dedication to empowering change align perfectly with our mission, and we couldn't be more excited to have her on board.
Tell us about yourself!
Hi! I'm Katie. I am from the west suburbs of Chicago and currently reside in Oak Park with my husband. My journey in the nonprofit sector began at the University of Wisconsin Madison, where I earned my degree in Community Nonprofit Leadership. After college, I spent two years serving with AmeriCorps, first with City Year and then in a trauma-informed after-school program. These experiences in the programmatic side of nonprofits solidified my passion for working with organizations committed to bridging the opportunity gap. A quote that has stuck with me and guides my professional philosophy is from Wes Moore, who said, "Potential is unlimited. Opportunity is not. Our job is to bridge the gap.” This encapsulates what I aspire to do each day: use my skills to increase resources for programs and organizations that make a real difference in people's lives.
Where did you work previously and what experiences have you gained from the role?
Before I joined Association House, I worked as the Development Manager at Volunteers of America of Illinois. The two organizations have similar goals and values, which helped me transition smoothly. In my previous role, I had a chance to work on many different parts of fundraising and development. I improved my grant writing skills and got a deeper understanding of community needs in Englewood and Humboldt Park, especially around behavioral and community health. This experience now guides me in my current role as Grants Manager.
Tell us about your day-to-day as a Grants Manager.
In my role as the Grants Manager, I'm part of the larger Development team. I'm responsible for overseeing our grants, writing new proposals, and nurturing relationships with our partners. Every day is a blend of writing, project management and relationship-building. My tasks range from crafting compelling narratives about our work to connect with funders, to tracking grant deadlines and outcomes.
What are you looking forward to in your new position?
I'm particularly excited about working across departments, learning from our staff and participants, and playing a supportive role that enables our frontline workers to do their amazing work. The breadth and impact of the programs at Association House are something I truly admire, and I hope that my role in securing resources will contribute meaningfully to all of the programs.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I love walking! Whether it's strolling around Oak Park or walking through the halls of the building, you can find me getting my steps in. It's my way of staying active, taking a mental break, and exploring my surroundings.