Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I have an exciting announcement—I’m launching a new business! 

After nearly nine great years working as the Executive Director of Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble, I’m moving on to build a freelance arts consulting business, beginning by focusing on grant writing and coaching. I’m looking for clients who I can help succeed in their arts-related goals including individual artists of all disciplines, arts nonprofit leaders, and creative entrepreneurs. I’ll also be continuing my own creative work as a writer and musician.

The business is called Substrate Arts Consulting. I’ll have more to say about why later on. For now, the business is dedicated to helping artists and organizations build infrastructure for their creative work, the substrate that supports everything that artists do.

I’m kind of (in)famous for writing (too) long emails, so here’s the TLDR:

  • I’m offering grant writing and coaching, project design and management services.
  • Upcoming Opportunity: RACC Arts3C Grant due September 28th
  • Sign up for my FREE September 12th RACC grant feedback group in SE Portland

I’d love to hear from you! Respond to this email, or read on to learn more.

I’m offering grant writing and coaching, project design and management services, and more.

A successful arts project has meaningful goals and a sound project plan where the details of every step are matched to the overall goals. I help clients with every step of this process, from the first inkling of an idea to the grant report after the whole project is finished. 

As I get started, I’m focused on these modes of working with clients:

  • Grant writing skills coaching 
  • Grant writing services for clients including single grants or ongoing, monthly work.
  • Project design and management

Every opportunity is different, but there are fundamentals that are common to almost every grant. These are skills that I help clients to build:

  • Project Design: planning a project that excites you, your audience, and funders
  • Strategy: planning how you’ll make the case for your project
  • Research: create a long-term fundraising plan that includes multiple grants and other sources of funding
  • Budgeting: how you’ll finance your project
  • Revision: revising your first draft, including your project design, budget and the language you use to talk about your project

You can sign up for sessions to work with me, or book a time to talk about how we could work together, at my website.

Upcoming Opportunity: RACC Arts3C Grant

Here’s one upcoming opportunity that would apply to almost anyone in or near my hometown, Portland, OR. Portlanders, see below!

For everyone else, I’m still here for you! I’m guessing that you already have a grant in mind that you want to apply for, and if you’d like some help just get in touch.

Due Sept. 28 – more details here

This newest revamp of RACC’s grant offerings is incredibly flexible—almost anyone with an arts-based project can apply for almost any kind of funding.

  • Eligibility: Individuals, nonprofits, arts-related businesses; Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas counties
  • Award: up to $5,000
  • For “projects, programming, or presentations, or apply to support your internal capacity, such as operations, personal or professional development, or business investment.”

Sign up for my first Grant Feedback Group! September 12 in SE Portland!

There are a limited number of spots available for artists of any discipline to join a feedback group that will meet at 7 to 8:30 pm on Monday, September 12 at Mosaic String Academy, 5120 SE 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97202. This is a great way to get more comfortable with grant writing in a fun, low-cost setting.

In celebration of the launch of my business, I’m offering this class FOR FREE.

We’ll be focusing on the upcoming RACC Arts3C grant program, as well as building basic grant writing skills. Each participant will share their application, and I and the other participants will offer their feedback. You don’t need to have written a draft of your application, or even have a fully formed idea for what you’d want your project to be. 

A group of artists giving feedback like this can be incredibly powerful, no matter what challenges you’re encountering in your grant writing process. I’ll be asking guiding questions, as well as feedback on each proposal.

Please RSVP on my website if you’d like to join!

Thanks so much, and I look forward to working with you!

Douglas Detrick
Substrate Arts Consulting