Our Story – Contest Entry

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Our Story – Contest Entry

Cara Barrett

Pathways to Growth is a thriving small business comprised of a group of professionals who found their passion…helping nonprofits win grants and transform lives. We are a team of highly skilled, inspired writers and consultants who have won millions of dollars for our clients, giving them the opportunity to grow and amplify their impact in their local communities.

The services we provide enable dedicated nonprofit professionals to help thousands of men, women and children from all walks of life. As a direct result of our services, we have helped low-income children receive the academic help they need to succeed; homeless, pregnant, at-risk teens and women find safe housing and deliver healthy babies; immigrants learn English and become US citizens; people with disabilities receive equipment needed to live a full life; hungry families find desperately needed food and shelter. Although the list of worthwhile causes is endless, and we will never meet the thousands of women, children, families and others who benefit from our work, one of our greatest joys is knowing we make a difference in their communities. Our team works in the background, not only helping our nonprofit clients win grants to fund this amazing array of charitable work, but also growing their impact and influence through our nonprofit development skills. It is truly a remarkable and humbling experience for everyone on our team.

Founder/President Julé Colvin has invested her entire 30-year career helping to grow and develop nonprofits. Regarding Pathways to Growth, Julé states, “When I moved to Tampa in 2004, I never dreamed I would be starting a business. It wasn’t even on my radar. But, as is often said, God works in mysterious ways! Now, almost 13 years later, my little idea to march out on my own to start a business to help nonprofits has grown into a very successful endeavor with national and international reach. We have raised millions of dollars for charitable causes, and helped many clients develop their business acumen, build stronger leaders and boards, develop significant outcomes and move their organizations to higher levels of success. I am thrilled to have been of service to every client with whom we have worked. I am also honored to be leading our great group of writers and consultants. They come from all business backgrounds, each one compassionate and dedicated to producing excellent results for our clients. Our team produces outstanding quality work, completed on time.”

Pathways to Growth currently leverages LinkedIn in a variety of critical ways. We seek to increase our visibility and expertise by sharing our company blog weekly and participating in group discussions. We connect with potential nonprofit clients, and we recruit new grant writers to our team. To date, we have conducted this work primarily through our company president Julé Colvin’s LinkedIn profile, but we are now building our company profile. We hope to utilized LinkedIn Pro Finder to connect with nonprofit leaders who can benefit from our services and potentially bring new writers to our team.

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Whimsical Wisdom: Grant Writing Storytelling with a Voice for Change

By By: Valarie Bostic • June 13, 2024

Every child has a hero, someone who inspired vision in them, someone they aspired to be like. For me, as a little girl, I had two heroes- Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Seuss. Although from different times and disciplines, they both taught me invaluable lessons I still use today. Despite their different fields of expertise - Franklin in politics, science, and invention, and Dr. Seuss in children's literature - they both left a lasting legacy that continues to shape and inspire generations. Both were unique influential philosophers who found purpose and fulfillment through connections to others. From the wisdom of “Poor Richards Almanac” to the lyrical ingenuity of “Oh The Places You Will Go,” both Franklin and Seuss were storytellers with a voice for change. Their words made me think and encouraged me to dream. At eight years old, I knew I also wanted to write and tell stories that would encourage people and change the world. It's fascinating how childhood aspirations can pave the way for unexpected yet fulfilling careers. Little did I know that this passion would one day lead me to a successful career in grant writing. Inspired by the works of two literary giants, I found myself drawn to a path of advocacy and change. So, after a successful 25-year career in non-profit Executive leadership, I was given the opportunity to join the Pathways to Growth Team as a grant writer. Pathways has been a leader in the non-profit consulting arena for many years so to be able to work with the best of the best has been a privilege! To me, grant writing is a harmonious blend of science and art, where data-driven methodology meets creative expression to produce persuasive and impactful proposals. Sounds impressive, right? So, what did I learn about grant writing from these two? For that, I will start with good ole Ben.

Maximizing Grant Impact: Strategies for Effective Program Implementation

By Marcia Wynn, PhD • April 29, 2024

Securing a grant represents a monumental achievement for any entity or individual striving to confront societal challenges or propel constructive transformations forward. It signifies a crucial step toward making a tangible impact and fostering positive change within communities. While obtaining a grant marks a substantial milestone, the true impact transcends mere acquisition; it hinges on the adept execution of the proposed program or project. Effectively implementing the envisioned initiatives is where the transformative potential of the grant truly manifests. Maximizing the impact of a grant necessitates a meticulous approach, characterized by thorough planning, strategic execution, and continuous evaluation. This comprehensive process ensures that resources are allocated judiciously and utilized optimally, ultimately leading to the attainment of desired outcomes. Below are eight fundamental strategies essential for the effective implementation of programs, designed to unlock the full potential and maximize the impact of grants. These strategies serve as guiding principles, shaping the trajectory of grant-funded initiatives toward meaningful and sustainable outcomes.

Board Giving and Grant Success – A Vital Link

By Jule Colvin • July 14, 2021

It is a very competitive grant world out there, so be sure you understand the vital link between board giving and grant success.

Everything Rises and Falls on Leadership

By Jule Colvin • May 5, 2021

As the leader of your nonprofit, your leadership abilities are crucial for the welfare of your staff, volunteers, and the community you serve.

Tell Your Nonprofit’s Story by Wagging Your Own Tail

By Carla Wright • March 2, 2021

To quote my Aunt Babe (age 93), “It’s a poor dog that won’t wag its own tail.” This gives you permission to share positive observations about yourself.

Efficient Productivity for Grant Seeking – Part II

By Kari Cronbaugh-Auld MSW, GPC • February 17, 2021

his article is a continuation of a blog we posted two weeks ago on efficient productivity in grant seeking. Here is a recap of the first five steps: 1) Manage your Energy, Not Your Time, 2) Be Your Own Coach or Find A Trusted Coach, 3) Read About Productivity, 4) Set Goals. Let’s continue with #5…

Efficient Productivity for Grant Seeking – Part 1

By Kari Cronbaugh-Auld MSW, GPC • January 29, 2021

Some of us are wired to organize and seek out efficient productivity. Some of us are not, but no judgment here! The good news is that regardless of how easy it is for you to stay organized and have efficient productivity on a daily basis, there are some tried and true steps that will help you stay on track and meet your grant goals.