Hire the Best Nonprofit Organization Specialists

As an Expert-Vetted, Top-Rated Plus grant writer, I deliver grant writing expertise to amplify your nonprofit organization's impact. I have raised more than $31 million for: arts, criminal legal reform, economic development, education, environmental/wildlife conservation, gender justice, health, humanities, LGBTQ+ issues, people with disabilities, racial justice, social justice, STEM, Veterans, women/femmes, workforce development, and youth. My experience also includes securing federal earmark funding, COVID-19 funding, and general operating support. I am an expert at identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding local, national, and international funders including foundations, corporations, and government. I work with 501(c)(3) nonprofit clients throughout the United States of a variety of sizes, personnel structures, and programmatic needs. Among more than 60 Upwork clients, I work with 83% on a long-term basis. I offer the following grant writing services for nonprofits, for-profits in need of subject matter experts, and aspiring grant writers; 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘁 $𝟮𝟬𝟬/𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿: - 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹-𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: I take care of researching, writing, and submitting your grant proposals. I also manage reporting deadlines and the completion/submission of grant reports! This service is only available to clients who book Grant Prospect Research (described below). - 𝗡𝗼𝗻𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 ($𝟮,𝟬𝟬𝟬): I will compile and curate a list of grant opportunities that match your 501(c)(3) nonprofit's operational, programmatic, and/or capital goals. I will also vet your eligibility for prospects that you have identified. I am available to provide full-service grant writing for these prospects. This service includes two consultations. - 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗡𝗼𝗻𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟭𝟬𝟭 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 ($𝟯𝟱𝟬): Learn the basics of grant writing by booking this 1-hour, one-on-one session. When you book your session, you will be prompted to submit a list of questions for us to discuss during our session. Perfect for: new ("startup") 501(c)(3) nonprofits; professionals/Board Members forming a new nonprofit/deciding whether to establish a new nonprofit; established nonprofit organizations seeking to refine fundraising strategy; and Board Members who want to deepen their contributions to the organizations they love. - 𝟭:𝟭 𝗡𝗼𝗻𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝟮-𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗺): Receive live feedback from expert nonprofit grant writer Dara Gever. During the consultation, you will receive real-time feedback on every aspect of the working draft of your proposal. - 𝗡𝗼𝗻𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟭𝟬𝟭 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 ($𝟭,𝟱𝟬𝟬): A live, 2-hour seminar designed to train your organization's management team, development department, and/or other fundraising staff to identify, write, and manage grants. - 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ($𝟱𝟬𝟬): Subject matter expert consultation designed to support for-profit businesses that seek to provide their own grant writing services to nonprofit clients or improve their grant prospect research/writing service model. - 𝗔𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀' 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟭𝟬𝟭 ($𝟱𝟬𝟬): Learn the basics of becoming a professional grant writer or enhancing your grant writing business. This consultation is perfect for: a) grant writers who want to enter the exciting and growing grant writing industry; and b) grant writers who want to improve their effectiveness, refine their business models, and discover strategies for providing exceptional services to nonprofits. **Actively accepting clients in need of grant writing services for on-the-ground activism, organizing, and leadership. I am committed to advancing racial justice.** 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲: Due to recent incidents of plagiarism by other freelancers, please alert Upwork if you notice any wording on my Upwork profile appearing on other Upwork profiles by flagging that profile and emailing Upwork support. Thank you!

25+ Years in Relationship-Centered Development Are you a nonprofit leader who knows you need to strengthen donor relationships and sharpen your message but aren't sure where to start? I help organizations move beyond transactional fundraising to build authentic, lasting connections with the people who believe in their mission—and I help you shape communications that inspire action. With over 25 years in nonprofit development and marketing, I've guided organizations of all sizes toward sustainable funding strategies and compelling narratives—from grassroots community groups to campaigns exceeding $20 million. My approach is built on my Cultivating Relationships (CR) framework—a donor-as-hero, gratitude-first philosophy that puts genuine connection before the ask. **How I can help you:** **Fundraising & Development Strategy** Fundraising strategy and campaign planning · Donor cultivation and stewardship strategy · Major donor and corporate partnership strategy · Board fundraising training and toolkits · Foundation and grant strategy · Case for support and messaging direction **Marketing & Communications Strategy** Storytelling and messaging strategy · Email and social media strategy · Integrated marketing strategy that supports fundraising goals · Brand and positioning guidance **Strategic Coaching & On-Call Support** Sometimes you don't need another deliverable—you need a thought partner. Through my coaching offering, you get a direct, ongoing line to me for the real-time moments: a donor conversation you're weighing, a decision before you hit send, a board ask you want to talk through. Available as a standalone package or built into a retainer. My clients include environmental conservation organizations, social justice nonprofits, youth development programs, and publications committed to amplifying diverse voices. I bring strategic vision and a partner's perspective. Whether you need a fundraising strategy, a communications approach that builds community, help preparing your board to fundraise confidently, or a thought partner to strengthen your overall direction, I'd love to learn about your organization and explore how I can help. Let's talk about what's possible for your mission.

Marketing is about more than launching campaigns. It's about building a clear strategy, keeping projects moving, and making sure every piece is working toward the same goal. I partner with founders, nonprofits, and growing businesses that need an experienced marketing and communications professional without the overhead of a full-time hire. Whether I'm developing campaign strategy, managing communications, refining brand messaging, coordinating projects, or leading media outreach, my focus is always on creating marketing that is organized, intentional, and effective. My background includes marketing strategy, communications, public relations, event marketing, and project management across education, nonprofit, entertainment, and founder-led organizations. Before freelancing, I spent several years leading operations and teams, which gave me a strong foundation in planning, collaboration, and execution. Today, I bring that same approach to every client engagement. I can support your business with: • Marketing strategy and campaign planning • Brand messaging and communications • Marketing project management • Email marketing and content development • Public relations and media outreach • Podcast outreach and thought leadership • Event and partnership marketing If you're looking for someone who can think strategically, communicate clearly, and become a dependable extension of your team, I'd love to connect.

I’m a nonprofit strategy, fundraising, and grant writing professional with 20+ years of experience helping organizations strengthen funding, improve operations, and build systems that support long-term growth. I’ve spent the last 8 years as an Executive Director, so I understand nonprofit challenges from the inside. Not just as a consultant, but as someone responsible for budgets, boards, staff, and results. I work primarily with small to mid-sized nonprofits (under $1M budgets), membership organizations, and community-based or grassroots programs. My approach blends strategic planning, fund development, and execution, ensuring organizations not only raise more funds but also operate more clearly and sustainably. What I help with: Nonprofit strategy & capacity-building Fund development planning and donor strategy Grant research, writing, and submission management Annual, End-of-year & Giving Tuesday campaigns Case for Support and messaging frameworks Donor and membership systems (CRM/AMS, reporting, workflows) Board-ready fundraising tools and communications Funding pipelines, grant calendars, and sustainability planning I’ve secured funding from foundations, corporations, and government sources, led organizational strategy and growth initiatives, and built fundraising systems that increased donor retention and year-over-year revenue. My background spans youth development, education, health, and community-based nonprofits. Clients value working with me because I’m: Strategic but practical Detail-oriented and deadline-driven Collaborative and easy to work with Focused on solutions that teams can maintain long after the project ends If you’re looking for a trusted partner who can help align mission, strategy, and funding, I’d be glad to support your work.

As a Top Rated Plus fundraising strategist and grant writer with a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management and 14+ years of experience, I partner with mission-driven organizations to build sustainable funding, strengthen their development efforts, and grow with stability and intention. I’ve worked with nonprofits across sectors including international aid, healthcare, youth services, teen services, military family support, animal welfare, food security, medical research, the arts, and community-based initiatives. Throughout my career, I’ve helped raise over $5M through fundraising events and campaigns, while also supporting grant-funded programs and organizational expansion. Here are the ways that I typically support clients: Grant writing and funding strategy - Includes grant research aligned with your mission and eligibility; Full proposal development (foundation, corporate, and select government funding); Clear, compelling narratives that communicate your impact; Application management and submission support; Building a realistic, strategic grant pipeline Fundraising campaigns and development strategy- Including End-of-year and Giving Tuesday campaigns; Year-round fundraising planning and campaign calendars; Peer-to-peer and crowdfunding campaigns; Awareness and seasonal campaigns; Donor journey mapping and engagement strategy Content and development support- Includes Fundraising emails and appeal letters; Donor communications and newsletters; Annual report drafting and design; Website and campaign messaging; Development process improvement and workflow support Advising and capacity building- Includes Training for staff and leadership on fundraising best practices; Strategic consulting for growing or evolving organizations; Support for early-stage nonprofits building their development function I’ve grown up in the nonprofit world, starting as a volunteer and working my way into leadership roles, so I understand how organizations actually function behind the scenes. I know what it’s like to work with limited time, limited staff, and big goals. Because of that, everything I create is designed to be realistic, actionable, and aligned with your capacity. Not just ideas that sound good but strategies you can actually implement and sustain. I also stay current on fundraising trends and best practices through continued professional development, so you’re getting approaches that are both proven and relevant. If you’re looking for someone who can step in as a true partner in your fundraising, I’d love to connect!

Before launching my freelance practice, I laid a foundation in nonprofit program management and community engagement, building relationships with local employers, recruiting volunteers, and managing event and conference promotion. I developed marketing, outreach, and communications systems that can be used repeatedly, which now make up the core of my business. Whether you're looking for a full marketing strategy, materials for a specific outreach campaign, or help building the systems behind your growth, I'd welcome the opportunity to discuss whether I can help.