meet nicole
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My name is Nicole Joan Grabowski and I am the founder and sole member of Nicole Joan Consulting LLC. I am excited that after a decade of work with various nonprofits around the country, I can put my strengths to use and help organizations on a much larger scale through my grant writing services. Let me share a bit more about my journey…
My passions converged while on a volunteer trip to Australia in 2006 with an organization called International Student Volunteers. My time was spent living on a zero waste conservation reserve that, at the time, was developing a sustainable camp for young people. While experiencing community living with people from around the world, we also learned about the natural environment, low impact living, koala habitats, gardening, and much more. This was my first true exposure to positive youth development through outdoor education, and I was hooked! I have been fortunate enough to have traveled the country for various jobs that connect people and the environment over the last ten years. I have taught outdoor education to grade schools students at The Outdoor School in Marble Falls, TX; I did an AmeriCorps Program at a nonprofit in Seattle, WA called EarthCorps, where we performed habitat restoration in urban green spaces and trail work on Mount Rainier; I’ve participated in the Cumberland Trail Conference, working to build wheelchair accessible paths; I’ve taught outdoor education, team building, and positive youth development in Shelby, MI at Camp Miniwanca as part of the American Youth Foundation. Here I also got to be a part of the Four Trails Wilderness Program as I led a 1200 mile cycling trip for teens. I then moved onto Avon, Colorado where I was a program Coordinator for a nonprofit called SOS Outreach, which takes at-risk youth outdoors (skiing, snowboarding, hiking, camping, etc.), while providing a positive adult mentorship experience. Eventually, I found my way back to Michigan and worked at Michigan State University Extension in the 4-H Department. As a 4-H Program Coordinator, I was able to utilize a variety of skills that I had developed over the years. I started an Outdoor Adventure Challenge Club and coordinated educational gardens for youth at various schools and community organizations. I was able to earn my Master Gardener Certification through MSUE and join the Michigan Horticulture Therapy Association. My time back in Grand Rapids also allowed me to pursue a Graduate Certificate in NonProfit Administration at Grand Valley State University, thus solidifying my love of the nonprofit sector. It was also around this time that I looked back on my professional history and realized that writing (including grant writing) had been an on-going strength and source of pride. I had also come to learn that many people do NOT enjoy the grant writing process, but guess what? I do! Though my professional journey has taken me far and wide (literally), it has also directed me to a path of self employment and a motivation to use my strength to benefits others. Through grant writing, I hope to help find funding for organizations that positively impact local communities. In my spare time, you can find me working in the garden, riding my bike, reading, going for walks, or doing yoga. I hope my experiences and services can help further your mission reach. I look forward to working with you and getting to know you! |
"I hope that you live a life you're proud of. If you find that you are not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again."
- F. Scott Fitzgerald
- F. Scott Fitzgerald