You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you. – John Wooden
I am a self-employed, independent contractor—also known as a solopreneur—concentrating on grant writing, grants management, data and evaluation, and trainings.
I began working in nonprofits at the Oregon Health & Science University Foundation in 2014. Hired in the middle of the largest philanthropic campaign to date in the United States, it was here that I learned high level donor strategy, the development cycle from qualification to stewardship, strategic development in special events, and working collaboratively amongst executive leadership.
After finding passion in volunteerism, I decided to resign my position and join the Peace Corps! I lived and worked in a community in northwest Botswana. Boasting many strengths, this village also encountered challenges from poverty to lack of basic resources such as water and electricity, and low educational attainment for teens. I worked in a boarding school for high school students, performed a community assessment, and developed working relationships with grassroots organizations. Sadly, COVID-19 cut my time short and I left my beloved Botswana after eight short months. I soon found myself in Phoenix and pursuing grant writing full-time.
In 2023, I branched out on my own to begin working as a contract grant writer. Since then, I have worked with nonprofits big and small, helping each build capacity in their grants program, step up their data and evaluation methods, and create or improve processes. Submitting over 300 applications, my grant writing experience has resulted in over $13.3M in awards and is focused on corporate, foundation, tribal (Arizona Prop 202), and government grants, including local government opportunities and state RFPs.
In 2025, I officially became Grant Professional Certified (GPC). Earning this credential represents more than just a title—it’s a commitment to the highest standards of our profession and to the impact we create for the communities we serve. The GPC credential is a validation of expertise in the grants industry, and I’m proud to join a dedicated community of professionals.
Over my professional career, I have held many roles in the nonprofit industry from executive administrative support to program management, direct services, volunteering, and to development and fundraising. Granting writing operates at the intersection of all of these key organizational areas. My varied experience has provided me with keen insight into the operations, program delivery, and life-changing impacts our work has on the communities we serve, allowing me to write from a place of experience and understanding.
In my personal time, I stay engaged in my local chapter of the Grant Professionals Association (GPA) and recently served as Secretary of the Arizona Founding Chapter. I love international travel, yoga, biking, and hiking these beautiful Arizona mountains.
Nonprofit and mission-based organizations are my passion. Thank you for learning a bit about me—I’m excited to learn about your work!
Madison Shampine Grant Writing & Consulting 