About Us
The Grant Writing Firm is a grant writing and post-award management firm serving nonprofits, schools, districts, and public agencies nationwide.
Mission Statement
At The Grant Writing Firm, our mission is to help mission-driven organizations secure critical funding through strategic, expert-led grant services. We are committed to advancing community impact by empowering nonprofits, schools, and public agencies with the tools, strategies, and support they need to win—and manage—competitive grants with confidence.
What We Do
We provide full-service grant consulting, including grant writing, targeted funding research, post-award management, federal registration support, and proposal strategy. Our team works with clients nationwide to turn visionary programs into fully funded realities.
“Grant writing isn’t about chasing money. It’s about aligning mission, strategy, and impact with the right funders.”
Why Choose Us
Proven Track Record of Funding Success
With over a decade of experience and more than $50 million secured in competitive grant awards, our team has a documented history of helping clients win high-stakes funding across sectors.
One-Stop Shop for Grants
We offer a full continuum of services from grant identification and writing to portal registration and post-award management. Whether you’re new to grants or expanding your portfolio, we meet you where you are and take you where you want to go. Every client receives a strategic onboarding process and direct support from a dedicated Grant Specialist to ensure a seamless experience from day one.
Post-Award Support
Winning the grant is only the beginning. Our firm offers robust post-award management services to help you stay compliant, track impact, manage funder relationships, and position yourself for future success. Organizations seeking long-term funding success may also benefit from our Grant Readiness Assessment & Consulting services, designed to strengthen internal systems, compliance, and competitiveness before and after awards.
Our Track Record
✔ 100% on-time proposal submission rate
✔ Compliance-driven grant development process
✔ Experience with federal, state, and foundation funding
✔ Nationwide client support across multiple sectors
✔ Post-award management services available
✔ Ethical, non-contingency-based pricing
Meet the Founder
Dr. Rielly Keyser, DrPH
Founder & CEO, The Grant Writing Firm
Dr. Rielly Keyser is a nationally recognized grant strategist, public health professional, and nonprofit funding expert with over 12 years of experience in the grant writing industry and more than 8 years working directly within the nonprofit sector. Since 2013, she has helped secure tens of millions of dollars in funding for nonprofits, school districts, healthcare systems, and government agencies nationwide.
Rielly earned her Doctor of Public Health from Claremont Graduate University and completed both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Arizona. Her professional background includes roles in direct service, leadership, and executive consulting—experience that informs her deep understanding of both funder expectations and organizational needs.
Her work spans diverse issue areas, including mental health, education, workforce development, public safety, housing, and healthcare.
Known for her strategic insight, clear communication, and commitment to excellence, Rielly founded The Grant Writing Firm to raise the industry standard—delivering grant services that are not only compliant and compelling, but deeply collaborative and results-driven. She leads a national team of experts dedicated to advancing social change through high-impact funding strategies.
“Every grant we write represents a mission we believe in. Our job is to help our clients dream bigger, stay accountable, and secure the resources they need to lead lasting change.”
Team Spotlight
At The Grant Writing Firm, we collaborate with highly skilled grant professionals who bring sector-specific knowledge and a passion for impact. Each member of our team is selected for their proven expertise in public health, education, equity, and systems change.
The Grant Writing Firm is supported by a national network of senior grant specialists, reviewers, and post-award managers.
Meet a couple of our featured team members below.
Madisen Novelo, MPH, Doctoral Candidate
Grant Specialist | Higher Ed & Health Equity Expert
Focus Areas: Public Health, Higher Education, Equitable Program Design
Madisen Novelo is a seasoned grant professional and doctoral candidate in Public Health at Claremont Graduate University. With more than a decade of experience in academic research, program coordination, and grant development, she has contributed to numerous successful proposals that promote equity, health access, and sustainable systems of care.
Her portfolio spans federal, state, and foundation grants for nonprofits, colleges, and healthcare organizations. She currently supports grant development and strategy for the LYTE Foundation and teaches graduate-level grant writing. As a faculty member and coordinator at Mt. San Antonio College, Madisen designs and leads grant-funded academic support programs that empower diverse student populations for long-term success.
Expertise Includes:
Federal, state, and foundation grant writing
Public health and health equity initiatives
Community-engaged research
Higher education & workforce development
Program evaluation and academic leadership
What Sets Madisen Apart:
"Madisen brings a calm confidence to every project. Her ability to connect community needs with funder priorities — while staying grounded in data and mission is what sets her apart."— Client Feedback
Dr. Charles Tran, DrPH, MPA
Grant Specialist | Public Health & Systems Strategy Expert
Focus Areas: Public Health Systems, Strategic Grant Development, Equity‑Driven Funding
Dr. Tran is an accomplished grant strategist and public health leader with a career spanning academic research, nonprofit development, and systems transformation. With his Doctorate in Public Health (DrPH) and a Master of Public Administration (MPA), Charles has guided numerous organizations—healthcare institutions, community coalitions, and educational entities—in designing and securing complex funding streams that build sustainable change.
His expertise includes managing and writing high‑stakes federal, state, and foundation proposals, developing program infrastructure to support award implementation, and evaluating outcomes that advance equity and impact. He has designed grant‑funded initiatives to address underserved populations, streamline service delivery systems, and embed evaluation mechanisms for long‑term success.
Expertise Includes:
Federal, state, and foundation grant writing
Public health systems design and funding alignment
Equity‑centered programming and community‑based initiatives
Post‑award implementation planning and impact evaluation
Organizational capacity building in education, health, and human services
What Sets Charles Apart:
"Charles brings purposeful insight and strategic clarity to every opportunity. His ability to align funder expectations with organizational vision while keeping community impact front and center is what makes his work truly effective."
— Client Feedback
Lindsay Bruns, MS
Grant Specialist | Community-Based Funding & Strategic Prospect Research
Lindsay Bruns is a grant consultant with experience supporting nonprofit and community-based organizations in identifying aligned funding opportunities and developing clear, compelling proposals. She specializes in prospect research, customized grant writing, and aligning funding strategies with organizational goals. Lindsay brings strong relationship-building skills and a collaborative approach that strengthens both proposal quality and community partnerships.
Expertise Includes:
Federal, state, and foundation grant writing
Grant prospect research and opportunity evaluation
Funding alignment strategy
Volunteer and stakeholder coordination
Project and time management
What Sets Lindsay Apart:
Lindsay combines thoughtful research with clear communication, helping organizations pursue funding opportunities that truly align with their mission and long-term goals.
Haley Harshman
Grant Specialist | Education Funding & Program Alignment Expert
Haley Harshman is a senior education and nonprofit consultant specializing in grant strategy for K–12 districts, charter networks, and education-focused nonprofits. With a strong track record of translating complex program goals into funder-ready proposals, Haley supports schools and organizations in securing competitive awards while strengthening internal systems for compliance and sustainability. Her work emphasizes alignment between educational outcomes and funding strategy.
Expertise Includes:
Federal, state, and foundation grant writing
Education sector funding strategy
Logic model and theory of action development
Budget planning and sustainability alignment
Needs assessment and impact evaluation
What Sets Haley Apart:
Haley’s ability to connect educational priorities with funder expectations makes her an invaluable partner in both proposal development and long-term planning.
Nesha Brown
Grant Specialist | Equity-Centered Strategy & Organizational Systems
Nesha Brown is a strategic grant professional with extensive experience helping nonprofits, public agencies, and mission-driven organizations translate vision into funder-ready strategies. She combines operational systems thinking with equity-centered design to strengthen infrastructure, improve performance tracking, and align funding opportunities with organizational priorities. Nesha’s work supports sustainable impact and long-term capacity beyond award decisions.
Expertise Includes:
Federal, state, and foundation grant writing
Compliance infrastructure and performance systems
Equity-focused program design and implementation
Stakeholder engagement and board facilitation
Narrative strategy and data-driven storytelling
What Sets Nesha Apart:
Nesha brings clarity and strategic rigor to every project, helping organizations build both compelling proposals and the internal capacity needed to implement with excellence.
Have questions or want to explore next steps? Visit our Contact Us page to submit an inquiry.
Professional Standards & Ethics
The Grant Writing Firm follows established ethical standards for grant development. We do not offer contingency-based grant writing services, do not guarantee funding outcomes, and comply with funder regulations regarding pre-award and post-award activities.