Kalen Rhodes, Grant Consultant
Western North Carolina
Kalen Rhodes has spent her career in the space where compelling language meets funding opportunity — writing grants, building funder relationships, and helping nonprofits across Western North Carolina articulate the work they are driven to do.
Having grown up on an apple farm in WNC, Kalen understands the realities of rural communities — the resourcefulness we rely on and the challenges we face. That perspective shapes how she approaches this work: practical, grounded, and connected to the people and organizations she serves.
Her experience spans both nonprofit and corporate worlds — from securing $2.7 million in grant funding over seven years at Brevard Music Center, to fifteen years leading high-value proposals (up to $250M) as Manager of Proposals at Aker Solutions, a global engineering and construction company.
She founded Grant Partners WNC in Brevard, NC to help local nonprofits secure the funding needed to strengthen communities across Western North Carolina.
Over more than a decade of grant work in Western North Carolina — including seven years managing grants at Brevard Music Center — Kalen has developed relationships and track records with funders at every level.
With over 25 years of grant and proposal development experience, Kalen brings the expertise to help organizations identify, pursue, and secure funding from federal and state agencies, regional funders, private foundations, and local charitable organizations.
Community arts programs, cultural heritage organizations, museums, performing arts, and visual arts.
Food security, health and wellness, housing, youth and family services, senior services, disaster recovery, and community support organizations.
Educational nonprofits, after-school programs, literacy programs, and youth development.
Nonprofit collaboratives, community centers, civic organizations, community partnerships, and faith-based organizations.
Community health programs, healthcare organizations, rural health access, and wellness initiatives.
Municipalities, counties, public authorities, arts councils, and community development initiatives.
“One of our museum’s most-important programs was made possible through coordination with 4 separate grantors and involved detailed financial planning and budget preparation, as well as extensive periodic reporting. Kalen’s knowledge, detail orientation, perseverance and imagination assured the success of this project.”
— Michael J. Robertson, Veterans History Museum
Kalen has worked with funders at the federal, state, regional, and local levels, developing the experience to navigate a wide range of funding opportunities. The organizations below represent the funding landscape she helps clients navigate.
This list is provided as a representative overview of funders and funding sources. It is not intended to imply access to, endorsement by, or an existing relationship with every organization listed.
Start with a free conversation — no commitment, no pressure.
