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Proposal Developer – Trainer – Teacher – Coach – Mentor. Passionate about service to others with a successful track record of raising >$100 million via several hundred, primarily private and corporate, grants across 20 years (capital & program funding for healthcare, foster care, adoption, human services, disaster recovery / rebuilding and much more.
About Cecilia B. Blanford:
Driven by a deep commitment to positively impacting communities and the nonprofit and educational organizations that serve them. I work collaboratively to secure the funding mission focused organizations require to thrive. My approach to grant consulting goes beyond mere transactional interactions. I believe in fostering long-term relationships with organizations, foundations, and community partners. Offerings include:
- Consulting services and contracts for “all things grants” and nonprofit capacity building. Current knowledge, informed by advanced & continuing education, with a keen awareness of emerging trends.
- Development of grant proposals, review of client drafted proposals, scoring/weighted rubrics – all in collaboration with organization leaders, subject matter experts, finance staff, collaborators.
- Review of Requests for Proposals or applications plus guidelines for funding opportunities.
- Planning deliverables with team members, with shared documents, so to ensure deadlines are met.
- Research funding prospects to pinpoint best fits with the greatest likelihood of funding.
- Training workshops, presentations, webinars (basic, advanced, topical)- teams or individuals.
- Mentoring and supports for those new to nonprofits and grants.
- Post-award contract review, implementation support, periodic or end of grant reports, and close-out, with strategies for next grant.
- Best practices policies and procedures, from style guides to how to respond when a grant is not selected for funding (this round).
Credentialed Grants Professional Certified (GPC) and Consultant with two decades-plus of success:
- Board Member, Grants Professionals Association – Central Texas Chapter
- Executive director of two nonprofits (Girl Scout Council; Schools for Early Education/Care)
- Nonprofit co-founder of oldest all-volunteer NPO in Texas to prevent/end homelessness, House the Homeless Inc.
- Grants funder work with state agency – developed RFPs, monitored applicant grant budgets
- Peer reviewer for multiple state and federal agency grants
- Evaluation tech for mental health and intellectual/developmental disorders council
It’s enjoyable to use my gifts and talents for grant acquisition and management to positively impact human and animal lives! I appreciate the full grant cycle – from crafting compelling, competitive, and fundable proposals to strategically managing grant portfolios for maximum effectiveness.
So, let’s talk! I appreciate every opportunity to serve and committed to driving growth and development. My career has been marked by my faith and passion for making a meaningful difference in the world. This journey continues. Let’s connect and explore ways to collaborate and advance the missional work of non-profits, educational institutions, and communities. Drop me a line: