Ep 17: The United Way You've Never Heard Of: Inside Jamaica's Grant Economy | Grants Explained Around the World

Ep 17: The United Way You've Never Heard Of: Inside Jamaica's Grant Economy | Grants Explained Around the World

Welcome to a brand-new era of Federal Grants Explained. In this premiere episode of our "Grants Explained Around the World" series, host Patrice Davis (CEO of GrantWin Consulting) takes a brief detour from the US federal grant system and heads to Jamaica—an upper-middle-income Caribbean powerhouse in culture and business. Jamaica isn't just reggae, beaches, and Usain Bolt — it's home to a sophisticated grant ecosystem moving millions from local corporate and individual donations, local foundations, as well as EU, IDB, and bilateral funding into innovation, social impact, and small business growth. But here's the twist: We're not just talking about grants in Jamaica. We're talking to the woman running a transparent, accountable, and impact-driven grant organization. Meet Kerry-Lee Lynch, CEO of the United Way of Jamaica (UWJ). In this episode, you'll discover: • How UWJ acts as both a grant recipient AND a subgrantor to local organizations • Their Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) framework and how it differs from—and stands alongside—global best practices • How they've diversified revenue streams beyond traditional fundraising • Real disaster response frameworks for farmers, fisherfolk, and youth • The IGNITE Grant for agritech, software, and climate innovation • The Innovation Grant Fund (IGF) • The Rehabilitation Assistance Grant WHY THIS EPISODE MATTERS: If you've only studied US federal grants (NOFOs, Uniform Guidance, compliance), you're missing half the global picture. This episode proves that grant ecosystems outside the US are equally sophisticated, differently structured, and absolutely fundable. UNITED WAY OF JAMAICA: Website: https://www.unitedwayofjamaica.org/ Donate: https://www.unitedwayofjamaica.org/donate/ Support UWJ's Hurricane Melissa Disaster Restoration & Rehabilitation Fund: https://bit.ly/4f2bosr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitedwayofjamaica/ SHOULD WE CHANGE THE NAME OF THE PODCAST? VOTE HERE: https://grantwin.typeform.com/to/TlRt0IhT LEARN ABOUT GRANTWIN'S NEXT COHORT: https://grantwinconsulting.com/cohort-based-training/ RESOURCES: United Way of Jamaica: https://www.unitedwayofjamaica.org/ Planning Institute of Jamaica report: https://www.pioj.gov.jm/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/FCG-AF-CON-10-0_National-Services-Policy_TOR_FINAL.pdf IGNITE grant information: https://thinkbigee.com/ignite/ INNOVATION Grant Fund: https://thinkbigee.com/innovation-grant-fund-igf/ Rehabilitation Assistance Fund: https://www.mlss.gov.jm/departments/rehabilitation/ ABOUT ME: I'm the founder and CEO of GrantWin™️ Consulting (formerly Grants Works) and the lead trainer for GrantWin Academy. I have over 18 years of federal grants experience. Before starting the firm, I obtained and managed multimillion dollar federal and other government grants for nonprofits and managed grants as a research program manager at a top research university. I'm also a former CDC employee who worked with grantees. I'm one of approximately 313 Certified Grants Management Specialists (CGMS) in the US, a member of the Thompson Grants Expert Panel, and the creator of a 4.7 out of 5 star rated federal grant management training series for a federal agency. I'm a mom of three who enjoys international fiction and foreign films, and I'm a world travel enthusiast. ABOUT GRANTWIN: GrantWin is a grant consulting and training firm based in Atlanta, GA that provides pre- and post-award services to support our clients as they find, obtain, manage and comply with federal grants.. LINKS: Consulting Firm: https://grantwinconsulting.com/ Case Studies: https://grantwinconsulting.com/case-studies/ Academy: https://www.grantsworksacademy.com/ Book Me As Your Next Speaker: https://grantwinconsulting.com/speaking-and-media/

Ep. 16: Single Audit Anxiety? The Mistakes Grantees Make (And How To Avoid Them)

Has your organization spent $1M+ in federal grant funds this year? Then a Single Audit applies to you—whether you're ready or not. In this episode of Federal Grants Explained, I provide an overview of single audits, why auditors care about your internal controls and documentation, and some of the most common findings that trigger corrective action plans. PREFER TO WATCH THE EPISODE? Use this link: https://youtu.be/MkcvNGzIWfk YOU'LL LEARN: What the OMB Compliance Supplement is (and why some grantees ignore it at their own risk) One of the primary documents requested by auditors during a Single Audit How to move from audit anxiety to audit readiness Plus: I share real examples from my 20+ years managing federal grants. GRAB THE PRIMER: https://keap.page/qlc809/grant-compliance-advisory.html LEARN ABOUT OUR NEXT COHORT (May 14 – June 4, 2026): https://www.grantsworksacademy.com/offers/Eh7F4572/checkout OUR TRAINING CALENDAR: Find cohort-based, on-demand, and member-based training options here: https://www.grantsworksacademy.com/store RESOURCES: State of TN Single Audit (for the year ended June 30, 2024): https://digitaltennessee.tnsos.gov/ct_single_audit_reports/27/ 2 CFR 200 Subpart F: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-F ABOUT ME: I'm the founder and CEO of GrantWin™️ Consulting (formerly Grants Works) and the lead trainer for GrantWin Academy. I have over 18 years of federal grants experience. Before starting the firm, I obtained and managed multimillion dollar federal and other government grants for nonprofits and managed grants as a research program manager at a top research university. I'm also a former CDC employee who worked with grantees. I'm one of approximately 313 Certified Grants Management Specialists (CGMS) in the US, a member of the Thompson Grants Expert Panel, and the creator of a 4.7 out of 5 star rated federal grant management training series for a federal agency. I'm a mom of three who enjoys international fiction and foreign films, and I'm a world travel enthusiast. ABOUT GRANTWIN: GrantWin is a grant consulting and training firm based in Atlanta, GA that provides pre- and post-award services to support our clients as they find, obtain, manage and comply with federal grants. For over six years, we have provided a range of services for our nonprofit, university, for profit, and local government clients. Our staff has a combined 80 years of experience, and we have obtained and managed federal grants from the perspectives of a recipient, subrecipient, and passthrough entity from over 20 federal and other government agencies. We support all types of organizations as they navigate the federal grant funding landscape. GrantWin Consulting's mission is to help organizations find, obtain, manage, and keep federal grants that positively impact people and communities. LINKS: Consulting Firm: https://grantwinconsulting.com/ Case Studies: https://grantwinconsulting.com/case-studies/ Academy: https://www.grantsworksacademy.com/ Access Our Top Training About Federal Grants: https://bit.ly/40E Book Me As Your Next Speaker: https://grantwinconsulting.com/speaking-and-media/

Ep 15: What the $250 Million Fraud Case Can Teach Us About Protecting Federal Grants

A nonprofit leader convicted of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, bribery and federal programs bribery. The primary co-conspirator convicted of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, bribery, and conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering. USDA grant funds used to buy vehicles, electronics, international travel, and even homes in Ohio and Kentucky as well as homes in Turkey and Kenya. Shell companies were created and some co-conspirators are reported to have received more than $18 million in "administrative fees." So far, there have been 79 indictments, of which 50 people pled guilty and 7 have been convicted including Feeding Our Future founder and CEO Aimee Bock. Hi, I'm Patrice Davis, and on Federal Grants Explained, I break down federal grants. In this episode, I use the Feeding Our Future fraud (USDA's SFSP and CACFP programs) to illustrate how federal grant funds can be misused. #feedingourfuture #federalgrants #grantfraud #grants #minnesota #grantsmanagement YOU'LL LEARN: --- How Feeding Our Future operated as a sponsor and allegedly defrauded the system. --- Some of the regulatory requirements for monitoring subrecipients. LEARN ABOUT OUR NEXT COHORT: Evaluating and Monitoring Your Subrecipients and Grant-funded Contractors https://www.grantsworksacademy.com/offers/aQq7Fr8A/checkout OUR TRAINING CALENDAR: Find cohort-based, on-demand, and member-based training options here: https://www.grantsworksacademy.com/store SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://keap.page/qlc809/subscribe-to-grantwin.html ABOUT ME: I'm the founder and CEO of GrantWin® Consulting (formerly Grants Works) and the lead trainer for GrantWin Academy and I have over 18 years of federal grants experience. Before starting the firm, I obtained and managed multimillion dollar federal and other government grants for nonprofits and managed grants as a research program manager at a top research university. I'm one of approximately 313 Certified Grants Management Specialists (CGMS) in the US, a member of the Thompson Grants Expert Panel, the creator of a 4.7 out of 5 star rated federal grant management training series for a federal agency. I'm a mom of three who enjoys international fiction and foreign films, and I'm a world travel enthusiast. ABOUT GRANTWIN®: GrantWin® is a grant consulting and training firm based in Atlanta, GA that provides pre- and post-award services to support our clients as they find, obtain, manage and comply with federal grants. For over six years, we have provided a range of services for our nonprofit, university, for profit, and local government clients. Our staff has a combined 80 years of experience, and we have obtained and managed federal grants from the perspectives of a recipient, subrecipient, and passthrough entity from over 20 federal and other government agencies. We support all types of organizations as they navigate the federal grant funding landscape. GrantWin® Consulting's mission is to help organizations find, obtain, manage, and keep federal grants that positively impact people and communities. LINKS: Consulting Firm: https://grantwinconsulting.com/ Case Studies: https://grantwinconsulting.com/case-studies/ Academy: https://www.grantsworksacademy.com/ Access Our Top Training About Federal Grants: https://bit.ly/40E Book Me As Your Next Speaker: https://grantwinconsulting.com/speaking-and-media/

Ep 14 : The $1.2 Trillion Puzzle. What Happened to Biden's Infrastructure Law?

What is the status of the landmark $1.2 Trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law? In this episode of Federal Grants Explained, I take a deep dive into the BIL—background, the 60,000 projects to be funded, Biden Administration rollout of the funding, grants canceled in 2025, and more. In this episode I break down: **** The massive promise of $550 billion in NEW investments for transportation, clean energy, water, broadband, and resilience **** How the law was designed to create union jobs, advance environmental justice, and align with Biden's Justice40 initiative **** The shift. Discover which major grant programs—including the multi-billion dollar Solar for All initiative—have been completely canceled **** How key policies like Justice40 have been revoked **** How up to 97% of certain funds, like the "Reconnecting Communities" program, remain uncertain **** How the current administration is reprogramming billions of dollars away from clean hydrogen and carbon capture towards fossil fuels, rare earths, and nuclear energy **** The original visionary guidebook **** How current officials may be positioning the current administration as the source of the funded projects We'll also highlight the LIVE funding opportunities still on the table through 2026 that you can apply for right now. RESOURCES: They Won A $156 Million Grant. Then It Was Cancelled: https://youtu.be/xTwgCTxRDcM A Behind the Scenes Look at HHS Downsizing: Ex-Federal Grant Official Shares His Story: https://youtu.be/iw9McovA2aE Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58): https://www.congress.gov/117/plaws/publ58/PLAW-117publ58.pdf Building A Better America Guidebook: https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/BUILDING-A-BETTER-AMERICA-V2.pdf https://virginiamercury.com/2025/12/26/federal-funding-shifts-cloud-virginias-transportation-plans-for-2026/ https://www.urban.org/research/publication/federal-infrastructure-spending-transportation-four-years-after-infrastructure https://www.nga.org/infrastructure-implementation-resources/ https://t4america.org/2025/09/17/grants-are-under-attack-on-two-fronts-congress-should-stand-up-to-usdot-and-assert-its-power-over-the-purse/ ABOUT ME: I'm the founder and CEO of GrantWin (formerly Grants Works). I have over 18 years of federal grants experience. Before starting the firm, I obtained and managed multimillion dollar federal and other government grants for nonprofits and managed grants as a research program manager at a top research university. I'm one of approximately 313 Certified Grants Management Specialists (CGMS) in the US, a member of the Thompson Grants Expert Panel, the creator of a 4.7/5 star rated federal grant management training series for a federal agency. I'm a mom of three who enjoys international fiction and foreign films, and I'm a world travel enthusiast. ABOUT GRANTWIN: GrantWin is a federal grant consulting firm based in Atlanta, GA that provides pre- and post-award services to support our clients as they find, obtain, manage and comply with federal grants. For almost six years, we have provided a range of services for our nonprofit, university, for profit, and local government clients. Our staff has a combined 80 years of experience, and we have obtained and managed federal grants from the perspectives of a recipient, subrecipient, and passthrough entity from over 20 federal and other government agencies. We support all types of organizations but have a special interest in helping nonprofit organizations navigate the federal grant funding landscape. Grants Works' mission is to help nonprofits find, obtain, manage, and keep federal grants that positively impact people and communities. LINKS: Consulting Firm: https://grantwinconsulting.com/ Case Studies: https://grantwinconsulting.com/case-studies/

Ep. 13: They Won A $156 Million Grant. Then It Was Canceled: Here’s the Inside Story

In this revealing episode of Federal Grants Explained, we sit down with Aisha Bussey and Alicia Brown from The Capital Good Fund to uncover the shocking story behind the organization's cancelled $156 million Solar for All grant from the EPA. After weeks of 80-hour work weeks, their team secured a landmark grant to bring solar power to thousands of low-income households. Then, without warning, it was ripped away. In this episode, we discuss: ---- The moment they found out their $156M grant was terminated and the panic, frustration, and fear that followed. ---- The real-world impact: what projects were killed, how many jobs were lost, and which communities were left behind. ---- The inside story of the grueling 6-8 week application process involving multiple organizations and subrecipients. ---- The current administration's cancellation of the Solar for All program and the elimination of the CDFI staff at the Treasury. ---- The future of The Capital Good Fund and their stance on federal grants. This is a must-listen for anyone in the nonprofit sector, climate justice, community development, or anyone who applies for federal grants. It's a stark reminder of the human cost behind policy changes. Learn more about The Capital Good Fund: https://capitalgoodfund.org ABOUT ME: I'm the founder and CEO of GrantWin Consulting and the lead trainer for GrantWin Academy and I have over 18 years of federal grants experience. Before starting the firm, I obtained and managed multimillion dollar federal and other government grants for nonprofits and managed grants as a research program manager at a top research university. I'm one of approximately 313 Certified Grants Management Specialists (CGMS) in the US, a member of the Thompson Grants Expert Panel, the creator of a 4.5/5 star rated federal grant management training series for a federal agency. I'm a mom of three who enjoys international fiction and foreign films, and I'm a world travel enthusiast. ABOUT GRANTWIN: GrantWin is a grant consulting and training firm based in Atlanta, GA that provides pre- and post-award services to support our clients as they find, obtain, manage and comply with federal grants. For over six years, we have provided a range of services for our nonprofit, university, for profit, and local government clients. Our staff has a combined 80 years of experience, and we have obtained and managed federal grants from the perspectives of a recipient, subrecipient, and passthrough entity from over 20 federal and other government agencies. We support all types of organizations but have a special interest in helping nonprofit organizations navigate the federal grant funding landscape. GrantWin's mission is to help organizations find, obtain, manage, and keep federal grants that positively impact people and communities. LINKS: Consulting Firm: https://grantwinconsulting.com/ Case Studies: https://grantwinconsulting.com/case-studies/ Academy: https://www.grantsworksacademy.com/ Access Our Top Training About Federal Grants: https://bit.ly/40ENNFh Book Me As Your Next Speaker: https://grantwinconsulting.com/speaking-and-media/