Deneene Graham
President & Principal Grant Writer
Deneene has more than 17 years of professional experience working in philanthropy, nonprofits and the public sector. Her most rewarding and successful roles have been those where she secured grant funding for programs that she helped to create. Deneene has also been on the other side of the grant funding equation as she spent several years coordinating grantmaking for a local funder.
Deneene also brings to her work an international development lens. For a number of years, she worked on development-aid projects in Jamaica focused on strengthening the monitoring and evaluation capacity of public organizations.
In addition to her professional experience, Deneene holds a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Hamline University. She also has a Master’s degree in Public Policy and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Political Science. She is a member of the national Grants Professionals Association (GPA) and the Minnesota Upper Midwest GPA Chapter.
Anne Lundquist, GPC
Senior Grant Writer
Anne Lundquist joined the team as Senior Grant Writer in 2024. Anne has over ten years of experience in the government and nonprofit sectors. She holds a Master's degree in Information from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and is Grant Professional Certified (GPC), the premier credential in the grant profession. She is a member of the national Grant Professionals Association (GPA), the Minnesota Upper Midwest GPA Chapter, and the Wisconsin GPA Chapter.
Emily Nichols
Grant Writer
Emily Nichols joined the team as Grant Writer in November 2023. She has a Bachelor's degree in Biology and Psychology from Sonoma State University and is a Certified Grant Writer. As a Grant Writer, she works with clients to identify their funding needs and goals, conduct grant research and analysis, and write compelling and persuasive grant proposals that showcase their impact and potential. She has successfully secured multiple grants for various clients including those focused on education, youth development, and improving outdoor access for underrepresented groups.
Annalyse Filoteo
Grant Writer
Annalyse Filoteo is a graduate of the University of Minnesota where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in American Studies with a minor in Anthropology. She has a background in research having completed several research projects during college. In addition, Annalyse has professional experience in the nonprofit sector, including working in an organization providing day services for children and adults with disabilities. Annalyse has been a part of the team since November 2021, and provides a range of grant writing services for our clients.
Hailee Brinton
Operations Coordinator
Hailee graduated from The University of Arizona and obtained her MBA at Grand Canyon University. Coming to us from Time etc, she has more than 7 years of experience in marketing, content creating, administrative tasks, and project management. Her software knowledge includes Microsoft Office suite, Google, Trello, and Canva. Hailee recently joined the team in October 2023, providing project coordination and administrative support.