About Us
You may think nonprofit grant writing is complex. Fortunately, we love complex.
We get it. Agonizing over a funder’s guidelines or preparing a complicated proposal isn't fun. Guidelines can be confusing. That’s why I've devoted my professional life to getting your nonprofit programs funded. I’ve done this before, and can do it for you, too. We make the process straightforward and simple — even if what your nonprofit does, isn’t.
Meet Niki Wanner
I've always been a take-charge person and really good at asking a lot of questions. As the eldest of three daughters, I was the go-to-kid when my parents needed help.
After college, I worked overseas, immersed in many complex situations. I loved the challenge of developing strategies, solving problems and distilling information so that people would understand what to do and how to do it.
I have a knack for getting to know people, too, and knowing which words resonate. I channeled that to becoming a leading grant writing expert and have spent two decades helping nonprofits find the right words to express their mission, vision and programs and get them funded.
After winning hundreds of grants and heading nonprofit fundraising operations, I know firsthand what it takes to run a team of fundraising professionals—and how to work with CEOs, Board Members, and Senior Staff for impactful results. It has made a big difference for many successful nonprofits. I know it can make a difference for yours, too.
I am ready to share my expertise and make a difference for YOU.
When not writing grants…
Niki lends her project management skills to coordinating a busy family: college sweetheart and husband of 28 years, Dan; daughter Talya, a sophomore in college; son Micah, a junior in high school; and rescues Amber and Onyx, both added to the family in the last year.
Ever busy, Niki also enjoys daily moments of gratitude and quiet: the beauty of the morning sunrise, exploring mixology through house-made cocktails or reading after the rest of the world has gone to bed.
She is also passionate about lifelong learning, experiencing different cultures and perspectives, and raising awareness about depression and other mental health issues.
Friends, family, and clients also enjoy her sense of humor, which Niki uses to keep things light even when the going gets tough.
Our Team
Meet Jackie Dougherty
Associate Grant Writer, Jacksonville, Florida
Jackie’s grant writing superpower is answering questions directly, concisely, and completely.
Jackie, our Associate Grant Writer, spent years as the head trainer for a leading chain of Maryland-based restaurants. Writing training manuals morphed into writing grants while she served on the Board of Directors of a small non-profit that created work opportunities for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Working solely with the Executive Director and Founder, she boosted revenues year-over-year, chalking up an impressive streak of wins.
Jackie’s grant writing superpower is answering questions directly, concisely, and completely. She researches funders and opportunities thoroughly. And, she has never met a word limit challenge she didn’t win! She also brings strong leadership, communications, and organizational skills.
When not writing grants…
Jackie and her husband raised both of her (now adult) children in suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia. She currently lives in Jacksonville, Florida, where she enjoy warmer temperatures, frequent beach visits, and road trips to Disney with her granddaughter or siblings. (She is one of five.) She also cultivates orchids and keeps their two cats, Coco and Brooklyn, in line.
Meet Kara Willson
Office Business Manager, Denver, Colorado
Kara respects and appreciates that behind every piece of data, statistic and file exists a valued human being.
Kara, our Office Business Manager, contributes a blend of expertise gained throughout her career in both the private and public sectors to Niki Wanner Grant Solutions. Having proudly spent her last 15 years as an elementary public school teacher, she enthusiastically joins her new teammates melding her organizational, detail-oriented, systems based skills with a steadfast belief that congeniality, open-mindedness, flexibility and optimism are necessary character traits in any work environment.
Prior to her role as an educator, Kara worked for several small and large organizations in a variety of accounting and human resources positions. One of her most interesting and enjoyable experiences was as a freelance writer for The Denver Post. Kara actively fosters and maintains professional yet good-natured relationships and although she might not interact with you directly, rest assured she is diligently working behind the scenes fulfilling her part to further your organization’s goals.
When not serving as Office Business Manager…
Although Kara moved from Oklahoma to Colorado over 30 years ago, she still finds herself in awe of the mountains and giddy about snow days! Laughing at funny movies with her husband and teen son, taking in a concert at Red Rocks and being pulled around the neighborhood by her Lab rescue, Josie, adds fun to her free time.