Granting Your Vision LLC
At Granting Your Vision, our mission is to empower charter schools, private schools, and education nonprofits to achieve their funding goals through expert grant writing and strategic program development. As a team of experienced school leaders, we are dedicated to supporting your vision for student success by securing the resources you need to create impactful educational programs.
About Granting Your Vision
Welcome to Granting Your Vision LLC, where a deep commitment to education and strategic grant writing has driven our work for more than two decades. We help charter schools, private schools, and education nonprofits across the country turn their funding goals into reality — with expert support grounded in real-world experience.
Recent Highlights
In 2023, we officially transitioned to an LLC, marking a significant milestone in our growth. This shift allowed us to expand our offerings with a streamlined portfolio of services:
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GrantJumpstart – for schools new to grants or looking to build foundational readiness
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GrantMax – for those seeking targeted support to develop high-quality program grants
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GrantPro – for complex proposals such as state and federal grants
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GrantContinuum – for ongoing partnerships that keep your grants pipeline active
These programs have been successfully tested and refined with multiple clients nationwide. Over the past two years, we’re proud to have helped secure more than $4 million in awarded grants, including a competitive Charter School Program (CSP) grant for a new charter school in Wisconsin and continuation grants for replication CSP schools in Colorado.
Beyond writing winning proposals, we stay engaged throughout the post-award process to ensure implementation success — a key differentiator in our client partnerships. We’ve also supported several charter school applications and contributed to peer reviews for federal grants, helping strengthen the sector as a whole.
Meet the Team
Peggy Downs, MA, GPC
Founder & Grant Specialist
With more than 20 years of experience in education leadership and grants, I launched Granting Your Vision in 2018 to provide focused, practical support to charter schools and education nonprofits. My background includes roles as a founding parent, teacher, school leader, and board member — experiences that give me a unique perspective on what schools need to succeed.
Since earning my Grant Professional Certification (GPC), I’ve committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical and effective grant practice. I also serve as a federal peer reviewer and write Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for a national curriculum publisher.
My published books and training tools reflect my passion for making grants accessible and achievable for school leaders. Whether you're launching a new school, developing a compelling program, or scaling your impact, I’m here to help you move from vision to funded.
Emily Van Luit
Associate Grant Writer
After nearly 20 years in Colorado’s charter school system as a teacher and administrator, I moved to California’s Central Coast and stepped fully into grant writing and educational consulting. Joining the Granting Your Vision team allows me to align my skills and values with a mission-driven organization focused on meaningful impact. I’m excited to bring my experience and enthusiasm to projects that help schools and nonprofits grow.
Kari Forrester
Associate Content Creator
With 19 years in education — including nine as a charter school teacher and administrator — I bring a deep understanding of what schools need to support student success. My career has evolved to include trauma-informed care and youth services, giving me valuable insight into how social-emotional support intersects with academic achievement.
At Granting Your Vision, I contribute clear, strategic content that helps tell our clients’ stories effectively. I’m passionate about working alongside school leaders to create safe, supportive, and enriching learning environments.
Looking Ahead
In 2025, our focus is Elevate — building on last year’s expansion by refining our services, improving client results, and deepening our expertise. As we continue to grow, our commitment is to deliver even greater impact for the schools and nonprofits we serve.
This academic year alone, we’ve partnered with clients to win over $2 million in grant funding, helping them secure critical resources for facilities, academic programs, student services, and professional development. We’re proud to be part of their success — and we’re raising the bar even higher.
Whether you’re launching a new school or scaling an established program, Granting Your Vision is here to help you elevate your fundraising strategy and achieve sustainable results.
Mission / Vision / Values
Mission
Our mission is to help charter schools, private schools, and nonprofit organizations accelerate academic achievement for all students by providing services that drive them toward their goals for funding, program development, and school improvement.
Vision
At Granting Your Vision, we empower schools and education nonprofits to achieve their funding goals and create a lasting impact in their communities. Our work is driven by a deep commitment to excellence and innovation in education. By providing top-notch grant writing services, fundraising support, and expert guidance, we help our clients unlock their full potential and transform their vision into reality. Our ultimate goal is to inspire positive change in the world, one organization at a time.
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Values
Whether I am writing grants, reviewing federal grants, developing programs, or supporting schools, I work and live by the following values.
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Wisdom: I believe that wisdom is the key to unlocking success for myself and my clients. By discerning relationships between people, ideas, and experiences, I can better understand the needs of my clients and apply my expertise to help them achieve their goals.
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Service: One of my greatest joys is providing assistance to others, whether or not it is expected or returned. I believe that by giving back to my community, I can make a meaningful impact on the world around me.
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Creativity: I believe that creativity is the engine that drives innovation and progress. By using my imagination to produce new ideas and solutions, I can add value to the lives of those around me and help them achieve their full potential.
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Effort: I am a firm believer in persistent effort and hard work. By consistently giving my all to the tasks needed to accomplish my goals, I can achieve success and inspire others to do the same.
