My nonprofit journey began more than 15 years ago, volunteering on community and environmental projects in Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica. Years later, while working with a nonprofit in South Africa, I gained an even deeper appreciation for the people and programs that strengthen communities. I've also experienced the impact of nonprofit programs firsthand, having benefited from many of the same types of organizations I now support. Those experiences continue to shape how I approach this work. Since then, I've worked across community engagement, communications, grant writing, and grant management. I've helped secure more than $2 million in grant funding through foundation, corporate, and government proposals, and I've also served as a grant reviewer and grantmaker. My experience on both sides of the process has given me an understanding of what nonprofits need to communicate, what funders look for, and how thoughtful partnerships can make meaningful work possible. Today, as a Grant Development Strategist, I work with nonprofits to strengthen their funding strategies, develop competitive proposals, and bring together the language and systems that support their work. I also work with foundations and businesses to clarify their giving priorities, strengthen their grantmaking processes, and make their giving more intentional. I enjoy getting to know the people behind the work, asking questions, and helping bring the pieces together in a way that feels clear, practical, and manageable.