Dr. Brandi Rae Hicks has over 20 years of experience as a grant writer, nonprofit consultant, entrepreneur, and fundraising diversification specialist. Her background as a nonprofit executive and her experience as an entrepreneur positioned her with a unique perspective to support community-based nonprofits, higher education institutions, churches, government agencies, and businesses with the growth of their $1 billion fundraising and development portfolios.

Dr. Brandi’s philanthropic experience includes management and executive consulting positions 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. As an entrepreneur, she leads the nonprofit resource development firm, The Institute for Grantsmanship and Nonprofit Resilience at SERVE University and serves as the Managing Director. She has consulted for dozens of tax-exempt organizations, including Morehouse College, Communities in School of Georgia, Black Women’s Health Initiative, and Jerusalem House. In addition, Dr. Brandi is a trainer and speaker for GCN, Grant Professionals Association, and Candid.

Dr. Brandi is a respected expert in the field of grantsmanship and nonprofit resilience. Her research focuses on qualities and characteristics every community-based nonprofit should have, leading to the development of The Nonprofit 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 take the resilience framework and strategies and help other nonprofits apply them in a way that inspires the community to support their mission and their fundraising efforts.