Grants Administration

Pre-award process

Researching opportunities, preparing applications, application submittals

The Grants team will:

Research grant opportunities that support your project
Assist with language, editing, and proofreading your application
Assist in budget creation and identifying allowable costs
Assist with submitting your grant application
Assist with tracking your grant application and award information

Your team will:

Contact the Grants Department as soon as possible when seeking funding
Answer narrative questions specific to the vision and goals of your program
Identify and gather required data or information specific to your area, department, or program
Assist in creating a realistic program budget
Secure any administrative approvals (including capital projects, facilities department needs, etc.) for your program or project prior to applying
Identify a fiscal manager from your team

Post-award process

Financial accounts, reporting, closing the grant, retaining records

The Grants team will:

Assign a grant specialist to assist your team
Establish account codes and set up project budgets
Assist with interim and final financial report
Collaborate with your team to prepare and submit budget revisions
Submit payment requests
Serve as a conduit between you and your funding partners for questions, concerns, or grant changes
Help you develop grant tracking and reporting systems for your applications and awards
Share your project success with the community, district leadership and the Board of Education

Your team will:

Manage your project in compliance with grant requirements and application narratives
Communicate with your grant specialist to ensure grant program objectives are met
Manage all expenses related to the grant, including managing staff, purchasing supplies, and retaining receipts/ documentation
Alert the grant specialist of any upcoming reporting or filing deadlines
Provide program narrative details (data, evaluations, etc.) for interim and final reports
Share success stories, photos, videos, or other materials with your grant specialist when possible so we can share your story

The Grants team

Dulcie Willis, Grant Writer

Dulcie brings 10 years experience as a public-school teacher, 11 years experience as a non-profit administrator and small business owner, and 18 years as a grant writer to the Grants team. Dulcie's theater experience allows her to see the possibility in every experience and find creative solutions.

Dulcie’s motto:“Where there’s a Willis, there’s a way!”

Dulcie can help you with:

Grant research and guidance
Application development support
Application submission

Contact: dwillis@psdschools.org or 490-3658

Heather Poynter-Lausch, Grant Specialist

Heather has extensive experience in grant management, and is an expert spreadsheet-maker! Her goal is to create systems and processes that make managing your award easier and compliant.

Heather can help you with:

Pre-award budget development
Post-award fiscal management and reporting
Budget revisions
Advocating on your behalf with funders

Contact: heatherpl@psdschools.org or 490-3518

Maria Ortiz, Grant Specialist

Maria has worked with PSD students, sites, and departments for more than 20 years. Maria brings a wealth of understanding of grants from the project management to fiscal management to compliance. Her heart is with our kids and she strives to support the district in any way she can.

Maria can help you with:

Pre-award budget development
Post-award fiscal management and reporting
Budget revisions
Advocating on your behalf with funders
Federal, state and district compliance

Contact: mortiz@psdschools.org or 490-3593

Sarah Mart, Grant Specialist

Sarah joined the Grants team as our third Grant Specialist in September, bringing 24 years of success facilitating federal, state, local, private, and corporate grant awards ranging from $5,000 to $350,000+ in education, public health, and nonprofit organizations. A lifelong learner, advocate, and facilitator, Sarah loves to help navigate systems and processes to achieve collaborative goals.

Sarah can provide support for:

• Grant proposals: reviewing, editing, submitting

• Pre-award: budget development

• Post-award: budget management, reporting

Contact: Smart@psdschools.org or 970-657-1323

Beth Higgins, Grants Manager

Beth leads the Grants team following seven years as PSD’s community partnerships coordinator. She brings 24 years of grants, development, and partnership experience, working with the Fort Collins Museum (now the Museum of Discovery), PSD Foundation, the Arc of Larimer County, and several other community non-profits. Her thoughtful and visionary leadership launches a new era of opportunities in fundraising for the people in our district.

Beth’s motto: “Everything is easier if you just keep laughing”

Beth can help you with:

Strategic partner support
Fundraising and development support
Post-award support

Contact: bhiggins@psdschools.org or 490-3208

We look forward to working with you to create exceptional programs and opportunities for your students, staff, and schools!

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