BradleyInsight

Background & Philosophy

Grantmaking

As the executive director of Major League Baseball's Baseball Tomorrow Fund from 2000-2019, I managed the entire life cycle of the grant making process including developing an application, evaluation criteria, due diligence, grants management, and grant reporting processes. I reviewed approximately 10,000 letters of inquiry and grant applications and administered more than 1,000 grants exceeding $40M.  

While conducting more than 500 site visits around the U.S. and abroad, I advised hundreds of applicants including nonprofits, foundations, youth service agencies, municipal governments, and schools to improve funding requests for programming and capital projects. I developed meeting materials and presented funding recommendations to a Board of Directors, achieving a 90% grant approval rate. 

My goal is to help organizations make their best possible case for funding by offering affordable, effective grant consultation services. I specialize in requests related to equitable access to quality  youth sports, recreation, and fitness programs and facilities; however, my eye for a good grant application can be valuable to any organization or request.  

I offer 20 years of experience and a grant maker's perspective. My philosophy is represented in these "4 C's:"

1. Clear - The proposal has a clear case for support and makes sense to anyone who reads it.

2. Concise - The application does not contain "fluff," jargon, information not requested or irrelevant.

3. Complete - The application provides all of the information and documents requested by the funder.

4. Connected - The purpose and goals of the grant and the proposed program or project addresses the funder's mission and goals.

Corporate and Foundation Fundraising

With hands-on experience on the nonprofit side of the table as a development professional, coaching small, high-performing development teams for high-profile, national nonprofits, and as a Board member, I learn the importance of internal discussion, preparation, and collaboration at all levels and functions of the organization prior to activating a fundraising strategy, especially when pursuing institutional giving. I encourage organizations to take the time to understand donor motivations and mechanisms to develop an effective strategy. 

Consulting Services

• For Nonprofits

  • Funding Request Review: Pre-submission review of cases for support, concept notes, letters of inquiry, full applications

  • Website Audits

  • Funder Prospecting

• For Funders

  • Giving Strategy & Evaluation Criteria 

  • Application Development

  • Due Diligence

  • Proposal Evaluation

  • Data Collection, Synthesis, and Reporting

• Special Projects

  • Cross-functional Leadership

  • Planning & Activation

  • Marketing & Communications

Selected Clients

Laureus Sport for Good Foundation U.S.A. 7/2025-8/2025

Conducted a thorough research and scoping project, successfully identified and vetted high-capacity sports-based youth development programs and organizations in Queens, New York for the “Sport for Good Cities” program. Scope of work included (6-week project):

• Data Collection - Desk research, stakeholder interviews

• Synthesis & Recommendations - Development of briefs, identification of themes and trends, drafted recommendations to funder

• Reporting & Delivery - Final report and slide deck presentation

National Recreation and Parks Association 4/2021-7/2022

Spearheaded the launch of the NRPA Business Council ​​to increase and diversify existing revenue by building relationships, cultivating, and soliciting supplemental gifts from corporate partners.

• Secured 11 inaugural Business Council members and incremental revenue totaling approx. $50,000. Oversaw prospecting, resulting in three members within the first two weeks of recruitment.

• Moderated a panel at the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference to introduce the program. 

• Edited the partnership agreement and logo use guidelines.

• Hired to serve as interim Senior Director of Development, overseeing a 4-person fundraising team (July 2022-Oct 2022.) Oversaw $6 million department budget and $200,000 Business Council program budget. 

Teamup Since 2024

A nonprofit organization that promotes project-based learning and empowers students to build technology focused on driving positive social change. Consulted the young nonprofit on its strategic plan, governance, and fundraising strategy. 

• Conducted funder prospecting, resulting in the organization’s first two five-figure grants, totaling $30,000, doubling the organization’s operating budget within six months.

• Invited to be the inaugural Advisory Council member.

Need Help?

Contact BradleyInsight Consulting at cathy@catherinebradley.com to schedule a chat about your needs.