ABOUT US

My career has been grounded in a simple belief: when nonprofits have the right support and systems, they can transform communities. I started out as a Teach For America corps member teaching 9th grade math in New Orleans, where I saw firsthand how access, equity, and strong infrastructure change the trajectory of a young person’s life. That experience has shaped every step of my work since.

After leaving the classroom, I helped build workforce and college access pathways for high school students before moving to Missoula, Montana, where I served as CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Missoula County. It was there that I fell in love with grants. What started as “Well, someone has to write this…” turned into a genuine passion for aligning programs with funder priorities, building systems that make grant work sustainable, and translating impactful work into strong, compelling proposals. During my time at BGCM, I grew the organization’s budget by 400 percent in three years and secured the funding needed to expand critical youth programs - and I realized I wanted to help other nonprofits do the same.

Today, through The Funding Pen, I partner with organizations to strengthen their resource development efforts with a blend of strategy, project management, and practical nonprofit know-how. I love helping teams get organized, build confidence in their grant programs, and create systems that make fundraising feel a little less overwhelming and a lot more doable.

I live in Missoula with my husband, our two children, and our dog. When I’m not writing or mapping out grant calendars, you can usually find me on the trails - running, hiking, or being outpaced by my children.

Katie Holman

Founder & Consultant