Hello, I'm Patrice.

I created Grants Works Academy so you can access live and on-demand training about grants, including government grants. Here you'll find training on how to become grant ready, find mission-aligned grant funding, and how to manage grants.

My Story

As a young mother I wanted to be more available for my three children so I transitioned from my full-time position as a marketing manager to a part-time role as a grant manager for a local nonprofit in Atlanta.

That's where I learned about the great things being done by nonprofits around the country and where I learned to manage government grants.

Grants Works Academy was developed to share the government grant management skills I learned at national and local nonprofits, a top research university, and at a federal agency.

My Grants Experience

I founded Grants Works after becoming adept at managing government grants in various positions at large and small nonprofits, a research university, and as a federal employee.

As a public health analyst at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), I reviewed non-technical details of research grantees' continuation applications and worked with Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I and II grantees. I also successfully managed primary and sub-awards from 20 local, state, and federal agencies and subagencies including CDC, NASA, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Justice, the City of Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, and King County, Washington.

Before launching Grants Works, I was the Senior Director, Federal Grants Programs & Performance for Boys & Girls Clubs of America where my team and I managed 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.

I also conduct training sessions and host webinars on how to find and apply for federal grant funding, 2 CFR 200, 45 CFR 75, and more. I also served as a fiscal consultant during site monitoring visits of federal grantees.

I have managed federal grants as a recipient, subrecipient, and passthrough entity and my experience as a federal employee who reviewed grantees' continuation applications enhances my experience.

I am one of only a few Certified Grants Management Specialists in the U.S.

I am also a member of the National Grants Management Association, Grant Professionals Association, Georgia Grant Professionals Association, and Atlanta Black Chambers.

Outside of grants, I have several interests. I was a board member of South River Watershed Alliance for 5 years. I am the host of the Age Has No Limit podcast and a fan of foreign films and international fiction. I am also the founder of SeeCurrents®.

The Latest from the Blog

Exploring the Roles of the Grant Writer and the Grant Manager

During a September 2021 webinar titled Learn How to Apply for and Manage Federal Grants, Grants Works staff outlined some of the differences between a grant writer and a grant manager.

Understanding Subrecipient vs. Contractor Determination

If your organization receives federal grants and enters into agreements with subrecipients or contractors, it is critical that the substance of the relationship with...

Writing a Government Grant Proposal

Grants Works’ approach to developing proposals to secure government grant funding centers on fully understanding the objectives of each funding opportunity. We also carefully assess...

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