Grant Administration

The Grants Team is here to support your team through the grant lifecycle.

We work collaboratively with PSD schools, departments, and programs to identify potential funding sources, prepare and submit applications, support financial reports, and share your successes with community and district leadership.

PSD also partners with community institutions and agencies on grant projects of mutual interest. If your project needs a letter of support and commitment, let us know.

Contact us via ServiceNow - Employee Service Center
https://psdschools.service-now.com/esc
Select 1. Request, 2. Finance, and 3. Grant Administration

Pre-award

Researching opportunities; preparing, submitting, and revising applications

The Grants team will:

Research grant opportunities that support your project
Assist with language, editing, and proofreading your application
Assist in budget creation and identifying allowable costs
Assist with submitting your grant application
Assist with tracking your grant application and award information

Your team will:

Contact the grants team as soon as possible when seeking funding
Answer narrative questions specific to the vision and goals of your program
Identify and gather required data or information specific to your area, department, or program
Assist in creating a realistic program budget
Secure administrative approvals for work related to your project (e.g., capital improvements, changes to facilities, etc.) prior to applying
Identify a fiscal manager from your team

Post-award

Fiscal responsibilities, fiscal reporting, grant close, records retention

The Grants team will:

Assign a grant specialist to assist your team
Establish account codes and set up project budgets
Assist with interim and final financial report
Collaborate with your team to prepare and submit budget revisions
Submit payment requests
Serve as a conduit between you and your funding partners for questions, concerns, or grant changes
Help you develop grant tracking and reporting systems for your applications and awards
Share your project success with the community, district leadership and the Board of Education

Your team will:

Manage your project in compliance with grant requirements and application narratives
Communicate with your grant specialist to ensure grant program objectives are met
Manage all expenses related to the grant, including managing staff, purchasing supplies, and retaining receipts/ documentation
Alert the grant specialist of any upcoming reporting or filing deadlines
Provide program narrative details (data, evaluations, etc.) for interim and final reports
Share success stories, photos, videos, or other materials with your grant specialist when possible so we can share your story

We look forward to working with you to create exceptional programs and opportunities for your students, staff, and schools!

The Grants Team

Beth Higgins, Grant Administration Manager

Beth leads the Grants team following seven years as PSD’s community partnerships coordinator. She brings 24 years of grants, development, and partnership experience, working with the Fort Collins Museum (now the Museum of Discovery), PSD Foundation, the Arc of Larimer County, and several other community non-profits. Her thoughtful and visionary leadership launches a new era of opportunities in fundraising for the people in our district.

Beth’s motto: “Everything is easier if you just keep laughing”

Beth can help you with:

Strategic partner support
Fundraising and development support
Post-award support

Sarah Mart, Grant Specialist

Sarah brings 25+ years of success facilitating federal, state, local, private, and corporate grant awards in education, public health, and nonprofit organizations. A lifelong learner, advocate, and facilitator, Sarah loves to help navigate systems and processes to achieve collaborative goals.

Sarah can help you with:

Pre-award budget development, application writing and editing
Post-award fiscal management and reporting
Budget revisions
Advocating on your behalf with funders
Federal, state, and district compliance

Maria Ortiz, Grant Specialist

Maria has worked with PSD students, sites, and departments for more than 20 years. Maria brings a wealth of understanding of grants from the project management to fiscal management to compliance. Her heart is with our kids and she strives to support the district in any way she can.

Maria can help you with:

Pre-award budget development
Post-award fiscal management and reporting
Budget revisions
Advocating on your behalf with funders
Federal, state and district compliance

Heather Poynter-Lausch, Grant Specialist

Heather has extensive experience in grant management, and is an expert spreadsheet-maker! Her goal is to create systems and processes that make managing your award easier and compliant.

Heather can help you with:

Pre-award budget development
Post-award fiscal management and reporting
Budget revisions
Advocating on your behalf with funders

Cindy Vergatos, Grant Finance Specialist

Cindy is an accomplished finance professional with years of experience in the private sector including financial transactions and accounting functions. She has a passion for numbers and the story they tell.

Cindy can help you with:

Post-award grant fiscal transactions
Transaction documentation
Monthly reconciliation

Dulcie Willis, Grant Writer

Dulcie brings 10 years experience as a public-school teacher, 11 years experience as a non-profit administrator and small business owner, and 18 years as a grant writer to the Grants team. Dulcie's theater experience allows her to see the possibility in every experience and find creative solutions.

Dulcie’s motto:“Where there’s a Willis, there’s a way!”

Dulcie can help you with:

Grant research and guidance
Application development support
Application submission