I’m Douglas Detrick, founder/consultant of Substrate Arts Consulting, a musician and writer, and a former Executive Director of a small arts nonprofit. I help arts organizations and individual artists define vibrant visions, win grant funding, and hone their leadership skills.

I provide a range of services to a diversity of arts organizations, with a specialty in:

• grant writing, prospect research, and project or program design
• strategic planning
• leadership coaching for artists growing into executive roles

Solutions for arts organizations and artists inspired by mycelia and mushrooms.

The name of my business is inspired by the way that mycelia, the organisms that produce mushrooms, grow invisibly in the soil—the substrate—throughout the growing season, but only produce mushrooms that you can see for a brief moment in time.

I work with my clients to build a substrate that will help their visions succeed. Read more about me and how I work here.

benefits I deliver to clients

Set meaningful priorities: We’ll make sure you’re asking the right questions so the answers show you how to use your resources to achieve the results you envision.

Increase your grant success: By making sure you’re ready to be competitive for grants and picking the best funders for you, we’ll increase your success rate, the size of awards you win, and set a clear path for growth over time.

Build your leadership skills: We’ll build on your background as an artist and make sure you know what you need to know to manage an organization effectively, sustainably, and joyfully.

Deep familiarity with the arts funding ecosystem: By investing my time in building a network among funders, especially in Oregon and the midwest, I’m able to help clients find and cultivate relationships with funders.

what clients say about working with Substrate Arts Consulting

Douglas supported my organization as a grant writer from March through early June 2024. It was an important time to have extra help, as we were in the middle of a search for a new Executive Director. Douglas made a tremendous difference in our grant seeking during that time. We submitted successful applications totaling over $90,000. He is a wonderful collaborator, guiding the process smoothly and translating our organization’s mission and creative vision effectively. His attention to detail and knowledge of how to frame things for specific funders was also indispensable. On a personal level, I greatly enjoyed his collegiality and positive attitude during a stressful time at our organization.

Sarah Tiedemann
Artistic Director, Third Angle New Music
Portland, OR

About Douglas Detrick

I’m a musician and writer, former arts organization executive director, and a husband and father as well as a consultant. I live in a small rural town in Wisconsin called Viroqua, but I’ve also lived and worked in New York, NY, Portland, and Eugene, OR. All of these places have taught me different things about how communities can thrive through arts and culture. I’m a supportive collaborator who offers encouragement as well as constructive criticism. Read more about my experience here.

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