A supportive partner providing:

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

Douglas Detrick, founder and lead consultant

I’m a musician and writer, former arts organization executive director, and a husband and father. 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 detailed, constructive criticism.

Read more about my experience here.

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. The mushroom is the “fruiting body” of the mycelia.

I work with my clients to build a substrate that will help their visions emerge successfully into the real world. Read more about me and how I work here.

Photo by Florian Van Duyn

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

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