External grant services
The grants team, comprised of two Advancement office staff members, provides assistance with external grants in support of the strategic goals of the college. They work with faculty or administrators who lead programs and projects that provide significant benefits to the college and the Quad Cities community. They also support faculty members writing grants in support of their scholarly research.
With advance notice and planning, grants staff members are available to assist with:
- Developing a process and timeline for completion of a grant application
- Reviewing drafts
- Editing and proofing narratives, budgets and attachments
- Helping with submissions
- Connecting grant seekers with appropriate campus staff to support the creation of their budget
- Finding institutional data or other college-specific content
Please note: The grants team has limited availability for research into grant funding sources for specific research or initiatives.
Timing
Grant applications should start anywhere from six weeks to three months prior to the submission deadline, depending on complexity and scope of the grant, its guidelines and the number and type of submission requirements. Successful state and federal grants usually require three months of brief weekly meetings and work in between.
Roles and responsibilities
The grant project administrator or PI is responsible for the execution and oversight of grant agreements, gathering data and information for reporting, expenditure of funds and submission of timely reports for awarded grants.
The Advancement grants team plays a supportive role with editing and coordinating connections to appropriate campus personnel, including the Business Office, Provost Office, Institutional Research and others.
Request assistance
If you are interested in pursuing external grant funding for a project or program, start a conversation with Academic Affairs and the grants office by completing the form below.
Meet the team
Lori Roderick, associate vice president of development
- Works with college leadership to research funding sources, gather supporting information, develop concepts and create grant applications for strategic priorities of the college
- Develops, writes and/or edits larger grant applications and reports for the college and assists faculty members in their grants process
- Works with federal grant consultant and is a member of all federal grant teams
- Stays up-to-date on fundable Augustana priority initiatives
- Oversees additional fundraising areas: donor engagement and stewardship, alumni engagement and annual giving
Meg Christensen, manager of grants and corporate relations
- Manages annual plan and logistics for all grant applications
- Serves as lead for smaller-amount grant applications
- Assists with large and federal grants
- Serves as lead grant writer for WVIK
- Maintains grants calendar
- Completes submission of applications
- Maintains relationships with local grantors and stays current on their priorities and guidelines