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Meet Yolanda ‘OG’ Minniefield of The M.Grant Project (The Muvaly Project) in Lithonia

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Yolanda ‘OG’ Minniefield.

Yolanda ‘OG’, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Well, What began as a grim situation; where I faced what could have easily been the worst possible direction of my life, turned out to be the exact path leading me to become the thriving, Full-Time Grant Writer, Consultant and Small Business Owner that I am now.

In the midst of losing all of my personal assets and starting over, I was blessed to find work for a private company- a husband and wife-owned business here in Atlanta. I worked as an independent contractor and saved every penny I could. Once I learned of my boss’s passion to start a Nonprofit in her mother’s honor, and she learned of my published writings, it was like a fire kicked under me, and a lightbulb went off~ I went full speed ahead with researching and learning how to start not only Nonprofits but also businesses and the entire Grant Writing process. She believed in me and actually encouraged and assisted me so together we started her nonprofit and, surprisingly, the second grant that I wrote actually awarded her over $200,000 allowing her to break ground and start building her elementary school in Adulalas Ababa, Ethiopia!

So I totally knew that I had a gift, and made a commitment to always improve my skills, and create services that people in my community could afford and actually gain them continuous funding in their own ventures.

It’s been an amazing adventure, and by far the most rewarding experience I’ve ever had. I know for sure that this is God’s direction for my life, and it’s pretty cool since I’ve been awarded so many accolades, and my clients are truly the best! I work strictly from referrals so that says a lot in this field.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Neither writing nor requesting and obtaining funding is ever a smooth process, and I’d be remiss to insinuate that. It’s an extremely time-consuming and stressful field. But when those Yes’s come through! That makes it all worth it. I enjoy the consulting and conversations with my clients more than anything. I sort of fall in love with their passion projects and make them my own- which helps me to write my best.

Please tell us about The M.Grant Project (The Muvaly Project).
My business is The M.Grant Project (or The Muvaly Project). I’m a Full-Time Freelance Grant Writer and Small Business Start-Up Consultant.

My clients know me as ‘OG, The Grant Plug’! This is wonderful to me because I put a lot of time and effort into making sure that Minority Business Owners are well informed of the opportunities that are available, that they overcome that fear of not being ‘Eligible’ or good enough, or ‘Qualified’. Our businesses and dreams matter and our creativity deserve to be funded.

Along with managing a Facebook Grants Group, I run a Membership website, www.themgrantproject.com which opens up Hundreds of Grant listings and opportunities to those seeking opportunities. It’s also packed with free downloads and resources. Sort of like Grants.gov if you will, but caters to minority entrepreneurs. And it’s doing pretty well, but I’d have to say that I’m most proud of the fact that I myself became a Grant Funder this year! My company awarded its’ very first Micro-Grant in the amount of $500 to a start-up company and it’s certainly something that I plan to continue as my business grows. That- and my own daughter was awarded the Dream Warriors Foundation Grant! That was a huge accomplishment because it’s confirmation that everyone around me will be blessed. I’m very proud of that!

The M.Grant Project is set apart because it’s genuine purpose is to get Minority Businesses funded, and takes the time to seek those opportunities that do just that; Nothing less!

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My mentor is most definitely my former boss. She actually pushed me to leave corporate America and start my own business. She saw in me what I believed in myself and she nurtured it rather than forcing me to stay as an employee. Now I work for her Nonprofit under contract and we’re both thriving in our passions! God does some amazing things, doesn’t He?! And my clients… I get some of the most amazing people to work for and that is a blessing in itself! They definitely keep me busy and focused.

Pricing:

  • I offer the Best & Lowest Grant Retainer at $285 Per Month!
  • Hundreds of Grant Listing through Website Membership, only $19.99

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
Chris Sharp Photography.

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