Sarah Smith didn’t set out to be a grant writing expert. Growing up in Kirksville, Missouri, she dreamed of working with animals. Today, she balances her passion for equine therapy with her expertise in nonprofit funding as a grant writer for Partner for Better and a team member at Cedar Creek Riding Center.
From Equine Therapy to Grant Writing
“I wanted to be a veterinarian for a long time, which is a pretty far departure from grant writing,” Sarah said. “But I knew I wanted to work with animals and people, and I found that in equine therapy. That world led me to nonprofits because every equine therapy center I’ve worked with has been a 501(c)(3). It was a natural progression.”
Sarah earned her Bachelor’s in Political Science and a Master’s in Public Affairs from the University of Missouri’s Truman School of Public Affairs in 2004. Her nonprofit journey started in high school when she volunteered at a nonprofit international fair trade retail store, sparking her passion for mission-driven work.
While in graduate school, Sarah worked with a professor on a city-wide social services evaluation project. This role introduced her to numerous nonprofits, where she learned about their impact and challenges. It was during this experience that she met an executive director who recognized her potential.
“The director of a substance use disorder treatment facility said, ‘I don’t know exactly why we need someone like you, but we do. Would you like a job after graduate school as our outcomes coordinator?’” Sarah recalled. “A month into that role, they asked me to write a grant. That first grant in 2004—Boone Electric Community Trust—was funded, and I’ve been writing grants ever since.”
Partner for Better: A Perfect Fit
Sarah’s career led her back to the Truman School of Public Affairs at the University of Missouri, where she directed a grant writing program that paired graduate students with nonprofits. During this time, she met Kasey Hammock, who was working as a graduate research assistant. In 2022, Sarah was looking for a career change and met with Kasey to discuss Partner for Better, Kasey’s nonprofit consulting business.
“Kasey asked if I had any spare time because she had a lot of grant writing contracts,” Sarah said. “I was instantly on board. It felt like someone had created something just for me. I never looked back, and now I balance it with my work in equine therapy. It’s perfect.”
The Grant Writing Process: How Sarah Helps Nonprofits Secure Funding
Sarah has refined a grant writing process that starts with a critical question: What is the nonprofit’s mission?
“These organizations have a mission that drives them,” Sarah explained. “Understanding that mission helps identify what needs financial support. That naturally leads to discussions about programs, services, and funding needs.”
Once the mission is clear, Sarah guides nonprofits through:
- Program Funding Needs – Identifying what areas require grant support.
- Grant Alignment – Matching funding opportunities with nonprofit goals.
- Application Strategy – Breaking down intimidating grant questions into familiar nonprofit language.
Overcoming Grant Writing Challenges
Sarah acknowledges that grant applications can be intimidating, especially when discussing performance measures, outcomes, and sustainability.
“My job is to help nonprofits translate grant applications into the language they already speak,” Sarah said. “Every nonprofit measures success in some way, even if they don’t call it ‘performance metrics.’ Partner for Better helps bridge that gap so they can confidently apply for funding.”
She also reminds organizations that grant writing is a numbers game—only about 1 in 10 grants get funded. However, every grant submission increases a nonprofit’s funding capacity. Even if a grant isn’t awarded, it serves as a template for future applications and strengthens relationships with funders.
“Working with clients is a capacity-building exercise,” Sarah said. “And when they win a grant, I love calling them to celebrate—it’s an incredible feeling to know we’ve helped them expand their impact.”
Need Help With Grant Writing?
Whether you’re a new nonprofit or looking to refine your grant strategy, Partner for Better can help you secure funding and build your nonprofit’s capacity. Contact us today to start your grant writing journey!