grant research and writing support for nonprofit organizations

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About Me


Jennifer D. Valentine

I am a southern California native who migrated to the Midwest after earning my bachelor's degree (1998) from the University of Notre Dame and my law degree (2001) also from the University of Notre Dame.  Go Irish! I  resided in the Chicagoland area with my husband and four children for many years before relocating to the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan.  Prior to taking my "mom sabbatical" from law, I worked as a litigation attorney downtown Chicago and volunteered my time as a board member of a nonprofit taking care of that organization's grant funding research and writing needs.  In my current spare time, I enjoy volunteering as the part time Executive Director of the start-up nonprofit, Pandemic Parenting (founded by my sister). Spending time with my family, rooting for my kids on the sidelines or backstage, traveling, reading and, on occasion, tap dancing are my favorite ways to enjoy life.

Support Services

  • foundation prospect research (grant support)
  • foundation prospect contact and communication for best-fit and determination (grant support)
  • organizational and program-specific messaging development/enhancement (grant support)
  • organizational and program-specific budget review for use in grant work(grant support)
  • drafting Letters of Inquiry and Grant Applications (grant support)
  • preparation of grant application attachment documents (grant support)
  • management of all grant activity, including follow-up reporting requirements (grant support)
  • board training, presentations, workshops on a variety of issues as needed (board support)
  • consulting for fundraising and development strategies (general development support)
  • project/program management as they relate to development strategies (general development support)

Skills Training

  • presentation on Persuasive Writing Techniques : a 45-minute hands-on participatory live presentation that covers the basics and offers tips and strategies for effective persuasive writing in a variety of professional settings 

*This presentation is certified for 1.0 CLE credits when hosted by an MCLE-approved provider law firm and presented to Illinois attorneys. 


  • presentation on the Fundamentals of Nonprofit Fundraising: introduces diversified platforms for new or small organizations and offers: an Overview of Grants, Development Marketing, the Elevator Pitch, Board Development, and Strategic Planning as they all relate and contribute to healthy fundraising strategies. This is a 90-minute hands-on participatory live presentation that covers the basics of diversified fundraising for new or small nonprofits


Please contact Jennifer to learn more about scheduling

 her to present either topic customized to your group.

Representative Clients (small sample)

For a complete list and description of all client organizations supported, please request.

Pandemic Parenting (Valparaiso, IN)

 [offers innovative and accessible digital mental health support resources to parents and caregivers trying to manage the challenges brought about by the pandemic; also serving as the part-time volunteer executive director of the organization]

Sidelined USA (Chicago, IL)

[creates/cultivates and delivers mental health resources and support to student-athletes permanently sidelined from their sports due to a medical disqualification]

Evolve Giving Group (Chicago, IL)

[support institutional nonprofit clients of Evolve by offering grant support assistance. Supported clients include a social services community center, a summer camp for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities; an education enrichment program, and more]

Minority White Coat Foundation (Chicago, IL)

[provides mentorship, tutoring, and scholarship assistance to under-represented minority students pursuing an education or career pathway in health care ]

Archdiocese of Chicago (Chicago, IL)

[among the many facets of the organization, the targeted support is focused on Laudato Si - the environmental and social justice awareness and action campaign known as Care for our Common Home, which was introduced by the Vatican]

Equality Dream Team (Chicago, IL)

[provides after-school entrepreneurship education, career opportunity mentoring, and internships to at-risk Black youth on Chicago's South and West sides]

Client Testimonials

"I have worked with many grant writers in the past and Jennifer is the VERY best that I have ever worked with. She is hard working, prepared, and our staff really felt she took the time to understand our organization as she was putting the grant together. Really good grant writers are hard to find and I think we hit the jackpot with Jennifer."   


Jimmy Lee, current Managing Partner of Ion Jets, former President of Mission Create; Former Executive Director White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and Special Assistant to the President

Jennifer: Thank YOU!  You really made this process very easy – you were great to work with; very organized and meticulous on follow-up. I would love to work with you again.

​Elizabeth Mason, CFRE, V.P. of Development, SGA Youth & Family Services

Qualifications | Experience | Associations

Recent past Vice President and Volunteer Legal Aid Lawyer at Pro Bono Network, a Chicago-area nonprofit, 2015 - 2020


Member Nonprofit Leadership Lab, 2018-current


Member Grant Professionals Association, Chicago Chapter, 2016-2019


Member Association of Fundraising Professionals, Chicago Chapter, 2017-2018

Resume - Jennifer Valentine (August 2021) (pdf)Download

Contact

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The Write Words

jennifer@writewordsgrants.com

(773) 415-2020

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