By Sandy Wiegand, Copyeditor and Writer at Joining Vision and Action
If you happened to peruse the Joining Vision and Action Team page lately, you probably noticed a new, smiling face. Katalin Wishart joined the JVA grantwriting team in November. She brings the meticulousness of an attorney and the dedication of an avid volunteer (check out her bio to see what I mean). She’s also really friendly, with a matter-of-fact demeanor and a ready sense of humor.
Kat transitioned to grantwriting after a successful but demanding legal career, which included practicing elder law, as well as performing volunteer work for the Sierra Club and an organization that helped renters avoid eviction. Like legal work, grantwriting relies on her research and writing skills, and it’s interesting to her because “You learn a lot about the inner workings of the organization.” Both careers also satisfied her desire to do something positive for the world.
She likes working at JVA for a couple of reasons. First, she never feels like she’s working on a project alone. Other grantwriters are always willing to pitch in with a review of the financials, and every submission gets a content review and an edit. Second, as a consultant, she gets to connect with a variety of changemakers.
So far, Kat’s been doing a lot of grantwriting for Clínica Tepeyac, and she recently met JVA’s new clients at Rocky Mountain Communities. (Her first blog is about them!) She’s excited to find out more about RMC and begin researching funding opportunities to help them thrive.
It’s clear that Kat grows to feel a personal connection with the clients she serves. Although they don’t work in the same office, there’s a sense of camaraderie, of partnership and loyalty. “This is my person; I am there to support that person,” Kat says. For example, she feels a duty to ensure her clients are well prepared for meetings with funders or the board of directors. “I understand how stressful it can be, and they feel like they can just call and talk to me.”
Leave A Comment