Today we’d like to introduce you to Shavonn Richardson.
Hi Shavonn, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
When I embarked on my career journey, I observed a recurring challenge among nonprofits: the struggle to win grants. This prompted me to ponder deeply: What can we do to help nonprofits win grants? How might I contribute to reshaping their approach to securing grants?
My firsthand experience as a nonprofit leader highlighted how hard it is to get grants. Having traversed this road myself, I empathize with the trials endured by countless nonprofit leaders. Fortunately, our nonprofit achieved considerable success in securing grants, owing to a meticulously crafted and time-tested strategy that I continue to use today.
Subsequently, I gained insight into the grant-seeking process from the perspective of a funder while serving as a program manager at a corporate foundation. Reviewing numerous grant applications allowed me to see what it takes to win grants and how funders select winning applications.
This dual exposure to both sides of the grant equation showed me two things: #1. There weren’t enough resources to help nonprofits win grants. #2. Nonprofit leaders have no idea what funders expect of them.
Think and Ink Grants was started to help change this.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Scaling is tough! It is not a smooth road to the top.
Some years, we reached our goals. In other years, we fell short of our goals. Overall, our overall growth from inception to now has been positive growth.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Founded in 2016 in Atlanta, GA, Think and Ink Grant Consulting® (Think and Ink Grants®) provides customized grant writing solutions to help your organization think through grant strategies and ink competitive grant applications. We transform how organizations find grants, connect with funders, solve problems, and deepen community impact. Our firm specializes in foundation, local, state, and federal grants supporting women, children, health, and education.
We take a comprehensive approach to helping nonprofits increase their grant funding, offering an array of outsourced, end-to-end grant-seeking services, which includes (1) grant-seeking strategic planning, (2) grant research, (3) grant writing, (4) grant management, and (5) evaluations.
Our team at Think and Ink Grants® provides grant writing and consulting services to a variety of organizations, including large 501(c)(3) nonprofits with budgets of $ 3 million or more, colleges, universities, and institutions of higher education, and city and county municipalities. Our team has a successful track record of helping organizations nationwide deepen community impact.
Our newest initiative, Get.Grants.Better.® provides training, education, and discounted services to underserved and emerging 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My foremothers have inspired me:
My maternal great-grandmother was a member and secretary of the Negro Actor’s Guild and fought for racial and gender equality in film, theater, and music during the Harlem Renaissance.
My paternal great-grandmother broke barriers for women in leadership at that time. She was the only woman invited as part of the US delegation to Jamaica to participate in the unveiling of the bust of Marcus Garvey in 1956. She then became the first woman President of the Marcus Garvey Cultural Club in Harlem, NY.
My grandmother, a nurse by trade, opened her home up to others in need. I spent a lot of time with my grandmother and thought this is what everyone did. This experience instilled a sense of life purpose, leading efforts bigger than myself.
My mother is a co-founder of the nonprofit Blue Flowers Org. She empowers women and the men in their lives against prostate cancer.
All of these influences have contributed to the woman I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thinkandinkgrants.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkandinkgrants/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shavonnrichardson/
