Lauren serves as a grants specialist with the ClimateWorks Foundation, supporting grantmaking strategy across programs teams and working with grantees to strengthen their funding requests. Lauren is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has spent her career advocating for and working on behalf of organizations that foster equitable, sustainable, and vibrant communities across the Midwest and beyond. Most recently, Lauren served as a grants strategy consultant, assisting clients in securing millions of dollars in grant funding to create and sustain vital community programming. Prior to this role, Lauren served as the Grants and Communication Manager for Feeding America West Michigan, securing funding to provide consistent access to food for residents in 40 of Michigan’s 83 counties. Lauren also serves on the board of directors for SowHope, an organization providing grassroots funding to women leaders in communities with high rates of poverty across the globe, as well as serving as an Adjunct Instructor of Grant Writing at Grand Valley State University. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Nonprofit Leadership from GVSU.