Be Your Own Master of Managing Federal Grants
Grants for nonprofits may offer a promising solution to funding; however, navigating the complex application and compliance processes can be challenging. In this episode, Patrice Davis, the founder of Grant Works Academy, explores the challenges and myths surrounding federal grants for nonprofits. We will also discuss key factors in federal grant management, such as:
- The potential impact of technology failures on nonprofit operations
- The importance of training and building staff capacity to improve nonprofit infrastructure
- Common misconceptions about the application process and compliance requirements
- Insights into the disconnects between nonprofit innovators and nonprofit management
- Tips on how to enhance capacity and accountability within a nonprofit organization so that you can be the master of managing federal grants.
Patrice gives tips on the federal grant application process and the resources that exist to ensure your grant management process is sustainable without total dependence on a consultant or technology.
The recent increase in nonprofits awarded their first federal grant needs clarification on how to manage it. Many nonprofit leaders do not pursue federal grant funding due to its perceived difficulty.
Patrice Davis founded Grants Works, a grant consulting company after becoming adept at managing government grants in various positions at large and small nonprofits and a top research university. She also reviewed grant continuation applications as a federal employee.
Her transition to grant management began when she was a working mom of three children who wanted to be more available for her family. She transitioned from a full-time position as a marketing manager to a part-time role as a grant manager for a local nonprofit in Atlanta.
That is where she learned about the great things being done by nonprofits around the country and where she learned to manage government grants.
Before establishing Grants Works, she was the Senior Director, Federal Grants Programs & Performance for Boys & Girls Clubs of America where she was responsible for the management of a $54 million federal grant portfolio and adherence to all associated regulatory requirements, award terms, reporting deadlines, budgetary oversight, subrecipient monitoring, Single Audit readiness, and closeout.
She has served as a fiscal consultant during site monitoring visits of federal grantees and conducted training sessions and webinars on how to find and apply for federal grant funding, 2 CFR 200, 45 CFR 75, grant-funded procurement, and GSA travel cost guidelines.
In addition to working with Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I and II grantees as a federal employee, she also successfully managed primary and sub-awards from several large foundations, corporations, and 18 local, state, and federal agencies.
In 2021, she launched Grants Works Academy to share her government grant management skills to help nonprofits and businesses enhance their capacity to manage federal and other government grants. Ms. Davis develops and delivers customized, in-person training on federal grant management for membership associations and other nonprofit organizations.
She has a Master’s degree in Environmental Policy and Management from University of Denver and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Morgan State University. She is a member of the National Grants Management Association, Grant Professionals Association, Georgia Grant Professionals Association, Government Contractors Association and Atlanta Black Chambers.
Outside of grants, she has several interests. She was a board member of South River Watershed Alliance for 5 years. She is an avid resistance training, running, and vinyasa yoga enthusiast and a fan of foreign films and international fiction.
