Non Profit: Jobs Landed

As the Grants Manager, I am:
• Responsible for reviewing/directing data for all incoming grant proposals
• Ensures compliance with IRS regulations and foundation requirements for all grants and programs.
• Negotiates and facilitates sensitive issues in the grant-making process.
• Designs and implements procedures to ensure compliance with Anti-Terrorist Financing requirements. Trains staff on both grants procedures and grants management software.
• Drafts and updates grants management manual.
• Conducts ongoing grants administration, program and foundation management research, including analyses of grant reports and program trends.
• Identifies professional development and training opportunities for staff and self.
• Creates program and management budgets and periodic financial reports.
• Develops and oversees standard terms and conditions for grant award letters, agreements and contracts.

I am the Economic Development Program Manager for the Woodward Avenue Action Association (WA3). The WA3 is a non-profit community development organization formed out of a Byway designation through the Federal Highway Administration for the great and historic Woodward Avenue. Currently Woodward Avenue is designated an All American Road the most prestigious road designation any road can receive and is one of 4 urban byways in the country.

The job takes me along the 27 mile stretch of Woodward Avenue working with 11 communities and 2 counties. Meetings consisting of historic neighborhood residents, council members, city planners, business owners, community activists, engineers, political constituents and many more. My position allows me to lead and work on projects that will enhance the functionality and aesthetics of Woodward Avenue and bring investment to the corridor. Projects range from transit, historic preservation, non-motorized activities, economic development, tourism and promotion of the byway. The networking is amazing and knowing the in's and out's of what new businesses or developments that are popping up always gives me the inside scoop. Our organization is guided by a staff of 3 young female professionals and a board of directors ranging from business owners, county representatives or municipal seats. There is a lot of energy among our staff which makes our small team productive and transparent.

I feel very lucky to have found this position in the my field of Urban Planning as planning is my passion and working in such a capacity allows me to focus on a regional planning approach. I live in Detroit now at the historically preserved Kales building! Going to work is not like reporting for a daily job it's like being able to do your favorite hobby everyday for 8 hours a day and the bonus is you get paid, meet a lot of great people along the way and are working towards making a difference.

I'm working on communications for the internship portion of Governor Granholm's Cool Cities Initiative, which was started in 2003 to attract and retain talent in Michigan's urban areas. I do internal communications for the interns as well as press relations, social media, and other promotional activities.

Currently my job at the Detroit Regional Chamber involves interactive marketing for the chamber in general, as well as several of its events and programs. I develop marketing strategies around e-communications such as emails, social networking and through our various web properties. Our programs are developed to help our members, and other businesses in the region, develop their companies, increase revenue and create jobs.

What I enjoy most about my job is the variety of the events with which I assist and or plan to raise money and awareness for Children's Hospital of Michigan. As a Special Events Coordinator, I manage or assist with approximately 28 events each year with a fundraising portfolio totaling over $330,000. Our special events team manages approximately 130 third party events each year in addition to our own signature event.  My job is always fun and interesting because I am able to interact with a wide variety of donors from all walks of life and assist them with their fundraising efforts.   I also assist with marketing our events through writing our development e-mail blast, updating our signature event website (www.rockinontheroof.org) and adding our events on our Children's Hospital's facebook page (www.facebook.com/ChildrensDMC).

What I find most rewarding about my job is the knowledge that Children's Hospital has touched each of our donors lives as well as mine. It always amazes me when they share the incredible stories they have about the care that they have received here. As a former patient at Children's Hospital, I enjoy working in a place where I strongly believe in our mission and goals and work with others who do as well. Children's Hospital has everyday excellence meetings every Monday where we talk about how to work towards achieving excellence and not just the status quo. At Children's Hospital, you will find out by walking through the door that we are different from most hospitals. Everyone is welcoming and every one goes out of their way to help our patients and families. It is incredible when this is the standard and not the exception.

I direct all special event fundraising initiatives with volunteer committees to raise funds for Judson Center specifically the annual golf outing, dinner gala and awards ceremony.

I organize and operate a nonprofit horseback riding program for children with cancer and their families.

I'm primarily responsible for managing all communication-based risks and opportunities for the Girl Scouts, both internally and externally.  I also create and oversee all e-communications, public relations, and marketing strategies for the entire Southeast Michigan region (Genesee, Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, Sanilac, St. Clair, Monroe, Wayne County). My job is essentially to come into work, think outside the box, and find exciting ways to increase the Girl Scout's brand exposure.  

Focus: HOPE is a nonprofit civil and human rights organization serving Metro Detroit whose mission is to pursue "intelligent and practical action to overcome racism, poverty, and injustice."  It was formed by a diverse group of volunteers in the wake of the 1967 civil unrest in Detroit.  Today it offers a food program that feeds 43,000 mothers, pregnant women, children, and senior citizens each month; education and job-training programs in information technologies, engineering, machining, and energy efficiency that lead to certifications and degrees; youth development through the arts; early childcare and preschool; community and economic development; and more.

Even in better economic times, nonprofits must constantly innovate to meet the needs of their clients and keep pace with an ever-evolving society while finding more efficient and  ways to do so.  My job is to identify, research, and pursue government and foundation funding opportunities that align with our mission and programming.  I also steward relationships with legislators, governmental bodies, other nonprofits, the education and workforce development communities, and others. I've worked at Focus: HOPE for three years where I have had opportunities that I never imagined.  One of my favorite things about working in the nonprofit sector is that organizations that do good work attract dedicated, creative, and diverse people to work for them, making work - however hectic it may get sometimes - fun, as well.

I coordinate CDAD's ADVANCE Executive CDC training program which includes setting up seminars, workshops and conferences.

I am responsible for the overall operation of UWSEM’s Volunteer Center.  As such, I interview, hire, train, assign work and coach all volunteers within the organization. I provide supervision and guidance on all projects involving the Center and ensure that all Volunteer Center programs and services are in alignment with UWSEM strategies of the Agenda for Change. I also provide leadership in establishing and sustaining effective relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders, including corporations, universities, and other organizations. I am the primary liaison between the volunteer program and all other departments within UWSEM.  When appropriate, I provide guidance in volunteerism and the best practices in civil engagement at the state and national levels.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, I serve as the "hub of the wheel" in between the different spokes (accounting, program staff, program directors, administrative officials, funders). I read and interpret all of our grants and contracts, making sure that we comply with all of the requirements, are tracking our work properly, and keeping the funder happy.