Available to hire
Hi, I’m Kate Hephner. I’m a nonprofit professional with extensive grant writing, program administration, and project management experience. I collaborate with program staff to craft compelling proposals, manage the full grant lifecycle, and secure multi-million-dollar funding for community organizations. I thrive in development teams and excel at translating program budgets into persuasive submissions while monitoring outcomes for reporting.
Over the years I’ve led grant processes for Feeding America networks, directed agency-wide grant strategies, recruited and managed volunteers, and built sustainable programs across Wisconsin, Texas, and the Midwest. I bring leadership, strategic planning, and hands-on grant writing to help nonprofits grow their impact.
Experience Level
Work Experience
Grants Administrator at Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin
October 1, 2021 - November 25, 2025Responsible for private foundation donor prospecting, donor stewardship, corporate and private foundation grant writing, all grants administration, and grant outcomes reporting. Works in a development team with other fundraising professionals to meet established financial and communication goals. Coordinates with program staff to determine content and budget for grant submissions, and monitors outcomes for reporting purposes. Manages Feeding America grant opportunities. Responsible for approximately $2.5M in grant funding annually.
Grants Director at Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County
October 1, 2021 - October 1, 2021Managed the agency grant process from prospecting to contract completion on over $3,000,000 in programming grants. Led cross-functional teams, developed funding strategies, ensured compliance, and produced grant reports.
Grant Writer at Freelance
January 1, 2020 - November 25, 2025Provide consulting and grant writing services for both US and EU-based nonprofit organizations and global companies. Developed persuasive proposals, grant deliverables, and reporting materials.
Outreach / Volunteer Coordinator at Ascension
September 1, 2020 - September 1, 2020Recruitment, training, placement, supervision, and retention of volunteers for Ascension-At-Home's Hospice services. Grant writing, fundraising, and promotion of hospice services in the community. Coordinate programs, including Pet Therapy and We Honor Veterans.
Community Organizer at WISDOM
March 1, 2018 - March 1, 2018Organized community members around social justice issues and public health change. WISDOM is a grassroots organization with 12 affiliates throughout Wisconsin, comprised mostly of religious congregations, working to have a common voice on issues of social justice. Served as the first paid community organizer for NAOMI and worked on criminal justice reform, immigrant rights, economic justice, health care access, and public transportation accessibility.
Food Distribution Manager at Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin
August 1, 2015 - August 1, 2015Responsible for primary oversight of all agency food distribution efforts and Feeding America’s compliance in a sixteen-county territory; strategic planning, program oversight, direction and evaluation for food distribution to partnering non-profit agencies, faith-based organizations and mobile pantry programs; supervision for program ordering and support staff; developed, monitored and managed program budget; completed data collection, statistical analysis and reporting requirements.
Director of Financial Empowerment Services at YWCA of Fort Worth and Tarrant County
May 1, 2014 - May 1, 2014Hired and supervised a staff of three Financial Coaches for a new services division offering financial education, financial coaching, and individual development accounts for low to moderate-income families in Tarrant County. Recruited, trained, and managed volunteers. Wrote grant proposals for government funds. Managed a budget of $400,000, including two United Way grants and a federal Assets For Independence grant.
Supervisor at RODNEY SCHEEL HOUSE
April 1, 2013 - April 1, 2013I supervised the staff of a housing development for individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS. Formed a stakeholder group to benefit both the residents of Rodney Scheel House and community organizations.
Intake Supervisor at Project Home, Inc.
April 1, 2013 - April 1, 2013Supervised the staff of the Intake Department. Coordinated the Healthy Homes Program, Neighborhood Stabilization Program, Lead Hazard Demonstration Program, Dane County Rehabilitation Program, the Green County HOME Rehab Program, and the Low-Income Weatherization Program. Member of the Wisconsin Collaborative for Affordable Housing, the planning committee for the Dane County Housing Resource Center, and the Statewide Action Planning Group of the Wisconsin HIV/AIDS Program.
Project Coordinator Specialist at ARC Community Services
July 1, 2007 - July 1, 2007Conducted motivational counseling sessions with women in AODA treatment, focused on FASD. Completed reports for federal grants. Created program materials and train-the-trainer curriculum.
Director of Volunteer Management at Middleton Outreach Ministry
September 1, 2004 - September 1, 2004For this part-time position, I recruited, trained, and managed a team of volunteers.
Executive Director at Family Pathfinders of Tarrant County, Inc.
April 1, 2004 - April 1, 2004Provided services to families being moved from public assistance to self-sufficiency via mentoring teams. Hired and supervised staff. Wrote grant proposals and completed reporting requirements. Created volunteer training curriculum. Established a system to replicate the program at other organizations around the country. Conducted all program outreach to media outlets and community stakeholders. Coordinated all events.
Creative Director at SWISS COLONY
January 1, 1992 - January 1, 1992Wrote copy for print advertising and catalogs.
Creative Director at WSPT / WTFX / WMJB / WWQM
January 1, 1996 - January 1, 1996Wrote and produced commercial advertising and station promotions.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Communication at University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point
January 1, 1982 - January 1, 1986Qualifications
Industry Experience
Non-Profit Organization, Education, Healthcare, Professional Services
Experience Level
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