Hire the Best Grant Writers in Michigan

I am an expert-level grant professional with 15 years of experience in all aspects of non-profit fundraising. I am also an Adjunct Professor of Grant Writing at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. For three years, I served as the development director for a community-based agency that provided a food pantry, housing assistance, senior services, and refugee resettlement, among other services. With a small staff, I was responsible for, and successfully sought, significant grant funding for our programs. As a consultant, I provide experienced guidance on all aspects of non-profit fundraising, including complete grant research, drafting, submission and tracking. I also provide fundraising planning services, and complete strategic planning services. Further, I provide valuable advice about grant readiness, foundation relationship building, and other aspects of grant seeking. My clients are nationwide and international, and my passion is working for small- to mid-sized organizations doing hands on good work in their communities. In addition to my non-profit grant work, I have developed a niche in working with for-profit businesses seeking grant funding. I am very familiar with the grant landscape for both non- and for-profit organizations. I maintain memberships to Instrumentl and Grant Watch for research. I am a versatile drafter, able to adapt my tone for the specific intended audience. I work well alone or with a team, and I can incorporate feedback seamlessly into my work. I provide a high degree of professionalism, prompt turnaround and adherence to deadlines, and excellent client communication. I am satisfied when my client is thrilled with my work.

Justin McClendon, MS, MPH, CRA (Certified Research Administrator) Justin McClendon is a highly experienced professional specializing in grant administration, research consulting, and epidemiology. He is currently completing his PhD in Epidemiological Science at the University of Michigan, bringing a unique blend of scientific rigor and administrative authority to every project. With over nine years of experience at institutions such as Stony Brook University, New York University, and NYU Langone Health, he has a proven track record in securing, consulting on, and managing large-scale research funding and complex clinical trials. Consulting, Grant Writing, and Strategic Proposal Development I am a consultant and grant writer for organizations across all subject matters and sectors, specializing in translating innovative concepts into fundable proposals. I excel at securing highly competitive mechanisms, including NIH SBIR/STTR grants, alongside foundation, state, and other federal funding. My consulting work provides expert guidance on comprehensive grant strategy, clinical trial design, managing post-award activities, and ensuring robust regulatory compliance strategies for new projects and technologies. I leverage my deep scientific and administrative expertise to translate innovation into compliant, successful proposals. Grants Management & Strategic Administration Justin possesses extensive expertise in sponsored programs, having overseen the administration of NIH, NSF, and DoE grants, as well as funding from private foundations. He managed complex portfolios involving $25 million+ in active grants and served as an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR), guiding the submission of over 120 proposals annually. His knowledge spans the full grant lifecycle, including financial reporting, Uniform Guidance compliance, subaward management, and coordinating large-scale international collaborations like NIH Center Grants (U01, P01, U19) and NSF center projects. He is fluent in all federal submission platforms, including eRA Commons, ASSIST, and ProposalCentral. Epidemiological Research & Clinical Coordination Justin’s scientific focus is on epidemiology, clinical trials, and infectious diseases. As a Research Data Associate at NYU Langone Health, he led the build-out and administration of NIH-funded clinical trials targeting harm reduction for opioid use disorder and tobacco use among vulnerable populations. His expertise extends to study design, scientific and statistical analysis (R, SAS), and ensuring adherence to stringent regulatory protocols, including FDA, IRB, GCP, and HIPAA standards. He has also contributed to global health initiatives, coordinating research on infectious diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis in India and developing elimination strategies in LMICs alongside organizations like the WHO and GLIDE. Ready to elevate your project from idea to funded reality? Let's discuss how my unique blend of administrative, writing, and scientific expertise can secure your next grant or streamline your research operations.

You don’t just need a freelancer; you need a partner who gets your mission, writes with purpose, and delivers results that raise money and drive momentum. With 15+ years in nonprofit leadership, business strategy, and persuasive writing, I’ve helped organizations raise $12M+ in grant funding and thought leaders launch bestselling books. My writing doesn’t just sound good; it drives outcomes. What I Bring to the Table: ✔️ Grant Writing That Gets Funded Millions in awarded grants: state, federal, private, and foundation. I know how to frame your story to move funders and secure support. ✔️ Strategy + Execution for Nonprofit Growth From program design to board development to revenue strategy, I help nonprofits and founders build sustainable models. ✔️ Bestselling Ghostwriting That Builds Authority Books that get published. Stories that get noticed. I help founders and thought leaders create powerful narratives that open doors. What Clients Say: 💬 “Sarah didn’t just help us get funding—she helped us grow.” 💬 “Her writing feels like magic. Clear, engaging, and totally on point.” 💬 “Professional, insightful, and incredibly easy to work with.” Services I Offer: 🎯 Grant Writing & Research (Federal, State, Private, Foundation) 🎯 Nonprofit and Business Strategic Planning 🎯 Book Ghostwriting (Memoirs, Business, Thought Leadership) 🎯 Copywriting (Web, Fundraising, Pitch Decks) 🎯 Developmental Editing & Manuscript Coaching Who I Work With Best ✅ Nonprofit leaders scaling their impact ✅ Founders launching initiatives or books ✅ Organizations with funding deadlines ✅ Clients who value communication, clarity, and collaboration Let’s bring your vision to life with words that work and strategies that stick! Are you ready to grow, get funded, or write something that matters? Let’s connect.

I provide structured evaluation, analysis, and writing services for organizations seeking clarity, performance improvement, and measurable outcomes across digital, programmatic, and strategic initiatives. My work spans UX and website audits, program evaluation, grant writing, and strategic analysis, with a consistent focus on identifying gaps, reducing friction, and strengthening decision-making. As a UX Auditor, I conduct comprehensive website evaluations for service-based businesses, assessing usability, content clarity, accessibility, conversion flow, and trust signals to support stronger customer experience, client acquisition, and retention. My audits are non-invasive and deliver prioritized, actionable recommendations. As a Program Evaluator and Strategic Analyst, I assess initiatives, systems, and workflows, synthesizing qualitative and quantitative inputs into clear findings that support planning, funding, and operational decisions. My grant writing and editorial work builds on this analysis by translating insights into persuasive, well-structured narratives aligned with funder requirements and stakeholder expectations. Clients value my ability to combine rigorous evaluation with high-quality writing, delivering clear insights and practical recommendations that support confident decision-making and sustainable results.

I'm a freelance writer, editor, and poet with experience writing articles and web content. Whether you need an engaging article or are looking for an editor, I can help.

I have a decade of experience as a grant writing and community development professional. I help organizations and individuals research and apply for grants, write business plans and marketing materials.