Dr. Brandi Rae Hicks has over 20 years of experience as a grant writer, nonprofit consultant, and fundraising diversification specialist. Her background as a nonprofit executive and her expertise as a grant professional have positioned her with a unique perspective to support community-based nonprofits, tax-exempt organizations, government agencies, and small businesses. 

Dr. Brandi’s philanthropic experience includes executive consulting with CARE USA, United Way of Greater Atlanta, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and the Herman J. Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs. Dr. Brandi is the Managing Director at SERVE University and leads grant writing, training, and grantsmanship services. Her firm has managed and secured over $1 Billion in funding for organizations, including Morehouse College, Communities in Schools of Georgia, Black Women’s Health Initiative, and Status: Home. Dr. Brandi is an instructor and trainer for the Grant Professionals Association and Candid as well as GCN.

Dr. Brandi is a respected expert in grantsmanship and nonprofit resilience. Her research focuses on qualities and characteristics every community-based nonprofit should have, which hasled her to develop the Organizational Resilience Qualities Assessment Tool. Dr. Brandi helps nonprofits go beyond what they think their resource development goals are and creates viable plans to raise more funding than in previous years. Her greatest strength is her ability to help nonprofits adopt and apply the “resilience framework” and its attendant strategies in a way that inspires the community to support their mission and fundraising efforts.