CREATIVE FUNDRAISING
Helping fundraisers, staff and scientists tell their stories
I am a professional Fundraising and Grant Writing Consultant, working in the international development industry for over a decade. I use narrative and storytelling techniques to persuade funders, and I can train you and your team to better communicate your story. My workshops are designed with your specific needs in mind. I have experience training scientists how to articulate the importance of their research, as well as helping senior development staff write winning case statements. Whether you are hoping to learn how to write more effective proposals, pitch to donors or find new funding prospects, I’ll provide you with sound advice and guidance every step of the way.
MY SERVICES
Helping you raise funds for your important cause
PROPOSAL WRITING
I have a winning track record of working with clients to develop compelling proposals. My clients range from international development organizations, to more local community health clinics. Have a specific grant project that requires professional attention? My services are designed to help your team achieve results.
STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS
Why do we tell stories? Stories entertain, educate and inform. They transmit values and lessons. They help us connect to other people. They help us communicate. And they help us raise money for important causes. I specialize in storytelling for staff in international development and research centers. Contact me to find out how I can help today.
PROSPECT RESEARCH
Identifying your best prospects can sometimes seem daunting. Where to even begin? Who fits with our mission? How can we connect with those making the decisions? I can help you and your team develop a strategic plan to connect with funders that fit your cause.
TESTIMONIALS
I recommend Catherine wholeheartedly. We have run customized trainings with her company with an impact well beyond our expectations. She worked with participants of many nationalities who have a wide array of scientific skills. She combines a rare combination of demonstrable experience as a successful writer with the generosity to share and articulate it in such a way that it can easily be learned. She also has the ability to reach not only the brains, but also the hearts of participants. Moreover, her trainings provide substantial insight into what it takes to write compelling stories seeking funding, and a methodology to articulate diverse messages. The trainings were also a lot of fun!
Hugo Campos, Director of Research at the International Potato Centre (Peru)
"I had the privilege of working seven years with Catherine at Heifer International. She is an excellent writer, organizer and facilitator. She has the rare gift of being able to bridge program design and delivery, and donor needs and interests. And she is fun and creative too!"
Steve Denne, COO at Evidence Action (USA)
Catherine Scott has a great capacity for big picture thinking and an immeasurable ability to articulate ideas and concepts with crisp precision. Her strength and capacity as a writer is drawn from her genuine curiosity, which makes her able to understand and package new and complex concepts. She is sharp, organized, persistent and tenacious, the ultimate team player who is very attentive to the needs and energies of her teams.
Beyond her technical skills, her clients will also appreciate her sense of humor, which often provided much needed re-energizing in challenging circumstances. I could not recommend her more highly.
Elizabeth Bintliff, CEO Junior Achievement Africa (Ghana)
Catherine Scott has been a true pleasure to work with these past few months. Her many years of grant writing and management experience make her an incredible asset for any organization. We have been impressed with how quickly she was able to acquire master level knowledge about the healthcare industry and our organization as a whole. Equally, we have been impressed with Catherine’s ability to translate complex work into a compelling narrative. Aside from being extremely professional, Catherine is really fun.
Adam Friedman, CMO of Saban Community Clinic (USA)
CONTACT ME
Have a particular challenge you’re trying to deal with? Contact me today and see what I can do for you.
ABOUT ME
From 2007-2016, I worked for Heifer International. As Director of Foundation Relations, I was responsible for managing a multi-million dollar grant portfolio. I stewarded some of Heifer International's largest relationships with foundations, including The Margaret A. Cargill Foundation, The Ford Foundation, The Howard G. Buffett Foundation, and others. During my last five years, I built a capable team with a proven track record for winning grant proposals from private U.S foundations, growing support for Heifer International from foundations by 189 percent in 2014 and again exceeding our targets in 2016. In 2013, I was privileged to help lead the proposal team that won a $25.5 million grant from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support the East Africa Dairy Development project Phase II in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania (a challenging and rewarding experience).
Prior to coming to Heifer International, I received my Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo in English Literature. Teaching college-level courses helped me become an experienced and effective educator, mentor and public speaker, whether I'm teaching program staff about grant-writing or volunteering with the Posse Foundation's scholars to improve their essay-writing.
While I loved teaching, I have always had a strong commitment to non-profit work, and I've been lucky enough to make meaningful contributions through writing.
I'm known for finding solutions to sticky problems, and for keeping a cool head in the middle of chaotic situations. I have noted capacity for working effectively with diverse staff (whether they are in Kenya or Peru), donors (whether they have large or mid-level giving capacity) and volunteers (whether they are CEOs or caregivers).
My hobbies include dancing, reading fantasy novels, walking my dog, and eating really delicious cheese. Originally from Canada, I have lived in Huntington Beach with my husband Michael for the past 10 years.