Faces of Aspire: Charles Stringer
As a grant writer at Aspire, Charles Stringer spends a lot of his day researching and writing for grants through both local and federal government agencies and various other organizations. Grant writing requires immense collaboration with all realms of Aspire.
“Grant funders are always going to look for a demonstration of impact in some variety. We’re talking about a lot of data,” Stringer says. “I recently submitted a grant for our Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Services for specific funding reserved for folks who are receiving support such as employment or housing and need immediate, tangible assistance to get them over the next hurdle. For example, say a client recently started a job with a construction company and needs steel toe boots. The job is necessary to sustain their housing, so this grant would help them acquire steel toe boots.”
Charles has a rich history in nonprofit work. After graduating from Purdue University, Charles spent time working for AmeriCorps as well as Big Brother Big Sisters of Central Indiana. It was at Big Brothers Big Sisters that he discovered a passion for grant writing.
“One of the things I like about grant writing is being able to support the organization in a unique way that is extremely valuable,” he says. “It’s an incredibly collaborative process by nature. When I’m submitting an application to support Rely Center, for example, I’m not an expert about Rely Center, so the only way I’m going to be able to complete a compelling application is to collaborate with Aspire staff who are doing the actual work in those areas. The metrics are important, but the support of the staff who need the funding for their departments is immense.”
Stringer adds that nothing beats getting notified of having received funding.
“The time and effort put in by the staff and seeing something come to fruition that will make a tangible difference for our patients is an amazing and joyful feeling.”
When Charles is not working, he is spending time with his fiance, reading, and playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends.
