I’ll never forget a conversation I had with one of our community leaders back in 2016, right after our city received a federal Promise Zone designation. I was the lead writer on that project, working in collaboration with another local consultant. We ran into each other near my downtown office, and after a bit of small talk, he asked me something that caught me off guard. He said, “So, where did you come from?”

I paused, a little surprised by the question. He clarified – he meant that despite our city landing this major federal designation and my role as lead writer, I wasn’t a household name in the community for grant writing.

I can’t recall my exact words, but the essence was clear: I had been building a freelance grant writing practice for a few years and working with incredible local organizations with success. But recognition wasn’t what drove me. I was perfectly content working behind the scenes to help my clients shine. They were the ones on the front lines – addressing community needs, creating safer neighborhoods, building healthier schools, and strengthening the fabric of our city. My role was simply to help tell their stories in ways that would resonate with funders.

After the Promise Zone win, something shifted. Amy Bolek was no longer “just the gal next door who happens to know a thing or two about grants.” Almost overnight, I became this local “grant writing celebrity.” But here’s the thing – I never asked for that, and I didn’t really see it coming. Not long after, my phone rang more frequently as word got out that I was “The One” who made this happen.

But it was never just me. It was a team effort all around, and I was simply the one who helped bring it all together into a persuasive and compelling case for this city I adore – Evansville, Indiana.

How This Shapes Our Client Relationships

That experience taught me something fundamental about how I approach my work and my relationships with clients – something that still defines our consultancy today.

I lead with humility. I don’t have all the answers, and I’m the first to admit that. Grant writing isn’t about being the smartest person in the room – it’s about asking the right questions, listening deeply, and helping organizations tell their own powerful stories. Every project we take on is a collaboration, and our clients are always the experts on their missions.

I stay human. Behind every proposal is a person – or a team of people – who care deeply about the work they do. They’re passionate, often overworked, and sometimes overwhelmed by the demands of fundraising. I see that. I’ve been there. So I approach every partnership with empathy, patience, and respect for the real humans on the other side of the process.

I believe in the power of “we.” That Promise Zone project wasn’t my success – it was our community’s success. And every grant we write isn’t about Bolek Grant Writing getting credit; it’s about helping organizations secure the resources they need to create lasting change. Our role is to support, strategize, and structure, but the vision, the mission, and the impact belong to our clients.

I value transparency and partnership. One of the things our clients appreciate most about working with us is that they never have to wonder where things stand. We keep them informed, we collaborate openly, and we make sure everyone knows what’s needed, when it’s needed, and why it matters. That’s what we call The Bolek Difference – and it’s rooted in the belief that trust is built through clarity, not complexity.

Why Humility Matters in Grant Writing

The grant writing world can sometimes feel competitive or hierarchical. There’s pressure to be the “expert,” to have all the answers, to promise results. But I’ve learned that the best work happens when we approach it with openness and curiosity instead of ego.

When we don’t have all the answers, we say so – and we figure it out together. When a client brings an idea that challenges our approach, we listen. When a funder’s requirements seem confusing or contradictory, we problem-solve collaboratively rather than pretending we’ve seen it all before.

This humble, human-centered approach doesn’t just make for better relationships. It makes for better proposals. Because when clients feel heard, valued, and supported, they’re more willing to share the stories, data, and insights that make a grant application truly compelling.

The Work Behind the Spotlight

I still prefer staying backstage. I still believe the spotlight belongs to the organizations doing the hard, transformative work in their communities. But I’ve also learned that there’s value in sharing our process, our philosophy, and the lessons we’ve learned along the way.

Because grant writing isn’t just a technical skill – it’s a relationship. It’s built on trust, honesty, and the shared belief that together, we can help organizations achieve their missions and create meaningful impact.

So if you’re looking for a consultant who will promise you the moon, who claims to have a magic formula, or who wants to take center stage – we’re probably not the right fit. But if you’re looking for a partner who will listen, collaborate, and work alongside you with integrity and care, then let’s talk.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not about who gets the credit. It’s about the communities that thrive, the lives that are changed, and the missions that move forward – together.