Dr. Brandi Rae Hicks is a nationally recognized grant writing and fundraising diversification expert with over 20 years of experience helping nonprofits and small businesses secure sustainable funding and achieve financial growth. She has led organizations to secure over $1 billion in grants and major gifts through strategic prospect research, proposal development, multi-year funding plans, and donor stewardship.

As Senior Grant Writer and Managing Director at SERVE University, Dr. Hicks specializes in building high-impact grant portfolios, designing competitive funding strategies, and implementing diversified revenue models for long-term resilience. A passionate educator and capacity builder, Dr. Hicks develops comprehensive grant writing training programs, certification courses, toolkits, and workshops that equip organizations for grant readiness, corporate sponsorship acquisition, and capital campaign execution. She created SERVE University’s flagship grant writing certification programs and designed the Organizational Resilience Qualities Assessment Tool©, widely used by nonprofit leaders and entrepreneurs to evaluate and strengthen financial sustainability.

Dr. Hicks has spearheaded national and international grant training initiatives, collaborating with organizations like the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, Grant Professionals Association, and Candid. Her expertise integrates best practices from government, foundations, and corporations, while incorporating earned revenue strategies and donor engagement models to support mission-driven organizations.

A Cleveland Foundation – Foundations for Philanthropy Fellow, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Alumna, and 20th Anniversary JumpStart Small Business Incubator Cohort Member, Dr. Hicks remains committed to advancing philanthropy through strategic grant development, capacity-building, and innovative fundraising leadership. She is an active member of the Grant Professionals Association and the Association of Fundraising Professionals, holding a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership, an MBA in Marketing, and an MPA in Nonprofit Management.

Through her work, she continues to transform the funding landscape, empowering organizations to secure the resources they need to thrive.