Grants Administration

The Grants Department is here to support your team through the grant lifecycle. We work collaboratively with schools, departments and programs to identify potential funding sources, prepare and submit applications, support financial reports, and share your successes with the community and district leadership.

Pre-award process

Researching opportunities, preparing applications, application submittals

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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Contact Information

Grants Writer
Dulcie Willis | 970.490.3658 | dwillis@psdschools.org

Grant Specialist
Heather Poynter-Lausch | 970.490.3518 | heatherpl@psdschools.org 

Grant Specialist
Maria Ortiz | 970.490.3593 | mortiz@psdschools.org

Grant Specialist

Sarah Mart | 970-657-1323 | Smart@psdschools.org  

Grants Administration Manager
Beth Higgins | 970.490.3208  | bhiggins@psdschools.org