Grantwriting and grant strategy are the core of my work; I specialize in grants because I believe that thoughtfully prepared and strategically managed grant applications can be meaningful catalysts to collaboration, program development, community impact, and organizational sustainability. I enjoy weaving all the pieces of an organization – mission, values, programs, impact, finance, staffing, and operations – together into a cohesive and compelling case to a funder. I work with nonprofit organizations on a range of grantseeking projects that include: building grantwriting systems from the ground up, managing grants over an interim period, supporting content development and proposal writing for large projects, researching funders, leading all grantwriting and reporting as an outsourced extension of your team, or simply helping you figure out where to start with growing your grant portfolio.
As a consultant, I have worked with more than 50 diverse organizations across a wide spectrum of missions throughout Washington, California, New Jersey, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, New York, and more. Along the way, I have directly raised at least $20M in public and private funding, including multi-year grants, general operating gifts, capital campaign contributions, capacity building grants, federal contracts, innovation and pilot funding, and more. I have secured funding from some of the largest private Pacific Northwest foundations including M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Satterberg Foundation, Norcliffe Foundation, Medina Foundation, Safeco Insurance Fund, Stolte Family Foundation, Boeing, Gates, Microsoft, and more.
I currently collaborate with Ostara as an independent consultant and owner of Brittany Kirk Nonprofit Consulting, a consulting practice that aims to help clients tell authentic stories about their work, raise flexible dollars that allow them to stay on track towards their goals, and build infrastructure that will help them continue doing good work well into the future. While I specialize in grantseeking, my experience extends to fundraising more broadly, and I regularly support organizations in fundraising assessments, capital campaign planning and execution, and strategic planning.
My real world experience is underscored by education in best practices; I hold a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Washington’s Evans School of Governance and Public Policy. I have also been a highly-rated presenter at events by the Puget Sound Grantwriters’ Association (PSGA), Washington Nonprofits, Bainbridge Community Foundation, and the Kitsap Center for Nonprofit Excellence.
Fun facts about Brittany:
- I spent three summers in my early twenties waitressing on the New Jersey shore.
- My two small kids fill up much of my free time with things like legos and dance parties.
- I have driven across the country five different times, and enjoy finding a new route each time.