As a grant writer, Claire specializes in using data as well as stories to illustrate a community's need or to show the beneficial impact a program has in meeting the needs in a community. She uses her interest in creative writing and background in debate to paint a compelling picture for grant reviewers.
Claire is interested in writing poetry, memoir, short and long fiction, as well as creative non-fiction. She uses her skills with words to pursue her life-long passion for community development. An avid traveler and fluent Spanish speaker, she writes about communities as separate entities with their own needs and desires, while holding true to the common humanity shared by all.
Additional training in federal grant management from Grants USA, Project Management from North Idaho College, a 2-year certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Idaho, and copy editing from a multi-part course on Linked In Learning.
Claire also holds a Grants Professional-Certified (GPC) from the Grants Professionals Certification Institute, an affiliate of the Grants Professionals Association. This accredited certificate is renewed every three years with 103 hours of continuing education.
Claire served on the North Idaho College Diversity Council in 2020, and assisted in planning the 2020 Diversity Symposium. In a region sadly infamous for intolerance, her work on the Symposium and in the Council supported the advance of human rights and a greater awareness of issues surrounding diversity and inclusion.
Claire is currently assisting a community foundation in its relations with a local indigenous nation. She is building a relationship with a tribal member who is willing to help her understand issues facing the tribe and how the foundation can help the local white community grow a culture of respect that honors the tribe's sovereignty.
Since 2015, Claire has worked in several non-profit organizations, including North Idaho College as the Grants Specialist and later the Grants Development Manager. She established a grant consulting practice, Good Horse Grants, in 2021, which allows her to serve the needs of non-profits in the Inland Northwest. She has written over 230 grants in the past 8 years, with a success rate of 50-75%. In a sector that sees an average success rate of 10-30%, Claire is proud to provide effective grant support to her clients.
Claire's clients have mainly been in the education field, from youth after school programs, to music education through a major Symphony, to the programs of North Idaho College. She understands how to communicate the needs of youth and adults seeking to improve their future outlook through education through effective use of data combined with effective storytelling.
From 2015 - 2018, Claire worked several positions in the nonprofit sector, including as an executive director. She wrote probably about 30 grants during that time.
In 2018 Claire started work at North Idaho College as the grants specialist, and ended up at the grants development manager for the entire college. When she left in 2021, she had written or assisted with over 180 grants, from tiny Kiwanis grants to complex federal projects.
In July 2021 Claire started her own grant consultant business, with a break from February 2022 - Jan 2023 for maternity leave. She has been working part time building her business, and has written about 25 grants so far.
In an industry that sees an average grant funding rate of 10-30%, Claire's work has been funded at 50-75%, reflecting the excellence of her applications and skill matching funders with projects.
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