City Grants Coordinator Mary Eick chases dreams, not money

Today, in both the public and private sectors, grants-in-aid or simply “grants” provide funding to support a specific project or program. For example, the federal government makes grants to specific states for development and assistance projects. Foundations or corporations often do the same, supporting artists, writers, scientists or even students. Key research is often the objective.

Increasingly, private-sector organizations will award grants to sustain activity in a field of interest to them. Recently Parks, Recreation and Libraries Director Marty McDonald announced a $10,000 grant to the City of Maricopa to fund youth development programs for middle school ages during the next fiscal year (see related story), with the city matching the funds and providing an additional $10,000.

At a recent Maricopa City Council meeting Fox Sports Network and the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association received recognition in appreciation for a $5,000 grant to place shade structures over the softball field dugouts at Pacaña Park. At that time McDonald thanked City Grants Coordinator Mary Eick for her many hours of work on various grants.

Who is Mary Eick?
Maricopa’s Grants Coordinator Mary Eick moved to Arizona in 2002 from Hartford, Wisconsin. In 1992 she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, becoming a corrections officer and working with adult and juvenile offenders of both sexes. She was a social worker for a drug and alcohol treatment program, a probation officer for high-risk sex offenders and a prison system classification specialist. She also worked as a lead therapist with autistic children, ages 3-7.

In Arizona, Eick received a Master’s Degree in Social Work from A.S.U. in 2006 after becoming a victim advocate for two years with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. Working with victims of elder abuse, juvenile system property crimes and victim reimbursement, she ultimately became a case manager for the elderly and disabled with the Maricopa Long Term Care System, doing internships with Touchstone Behavioral Health and the Maricopa Public Health Department as a health educator.

When did you come to Maricopa?
Eick moved to Maricopa in 2002; she lives in Acacia Crossings with her boyfriend John and a cat named Tyson. The city staffer likes to read, bike, make crafts and watch movies. As a social worker, her passions have always been the elderly, the autistic and animal welfare.

She became the City Grants Coordinator in October 2005. In less than a year she has submitted eight grants, for Parks and Recreation, Economic Development and Public Works. Projects have ranged from transportation, sidewalks, variable message boards, speed radar trailers, preservation of historic planning maps and land acquisition for Pacaña Park to shaded dugouts for the park’s softball fields.

How does an individual become a grant writer?
Eick noted, “Being a grant writer is not a sought after profession by most individuals. It is a tedious and time-consuming job that requires a lot of organization and attention to detail. I love organization so this is the perfect job for me!”

“I became a grant writer because I love to write and have always wanted to be a published author,” explained Eick. She added that her master’s degree carried an emphasis on program planning, administration and community organization. “This has helped in developing goals and objectives and writing budgets,” she said.

In addition to being a member of the National Association of Social Workers, Eick also belongs to the American Association of Grant Professionals. She has taken several courses and seminars in grant writing. “There is no licensing right now for grant professionals,” noted Eick, “but that is currently in the works.”

City of Maricopa Grants Coordinator Mary Eick.

What is the best part of your job?
“Every grant I write is different,” explained Eick. “I enjoy the variety and learning new things. Also, working with all the departments in the city has been wonderful.”

What is the worst part of your job?
Eick indicated that working under deadlines is always stressful. “Grant writing,” according to Eick, “is a waiting game. It can take up to six months to hear if the grant is going to be awarded.”

In addition to grant writing, Eick also seeks out funding sources, writes out the reports when grants are funded and is responsible for administering the funds, making certain they are spent as prescribed by the original application.

What are the major steps in the grant application process?
“Every grant that the departments would like to pursue needs council permission since grants are considered contracts, and only the City Council can enter into a contract on behalf of the city,” explained Eick.

First, departments fill out a project-planning sheet. “The profile sheet helps me conduct a search to find funding for their planned project,” she added. After the funding source is found, a staff report goes to the council members, explaining the project and its cost, information on the funder, any matching fund requirements and a timeline for the funding.

According to Eick, grant applications ask about need, goals and objectives for meeting that need, cost, resources, qualifications for those involved and potential partnerships. A timeline for task completion is always required. After approval is obtained to seek funding, tasks are divided among the grant writer and department members in terms of deadlines. “Sometimes application workshops are held, and you are introduced to the funder,” said Eick. “These workshops can be worth points added onto your application when it is scored, so it is important to attend them.”

What are some important guidelines for grant writing?
“Remember you are serving a community need and not your own need; there is not a grant for everything,” explained Eick. “Grant writing is 80 percent planning and only 20 percent writing. There is no such thing as free money; there is always accountability for funds spent with grants.”

“The average grant writer has one out of four grants funded or 25 percent of the applications, so, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again,” noted Eick. On a final note, she reminded, “Grant writers don’t chase money; they chase dreams!”