Influential Woman · Nonprofit Development | Grant Writing & Funding Strategy
Alanna D. Taylor
Nonprofit Funding Strategist, OSI Baltimore
Baltimore, MD 21201
Her Story
About Alanna
Alanna D. Taylor is a Nonprofit Funding Strategist, grant writer, and development consultant with more than 30 years of experience in community development, program management, neighborhood revitalization, fundraising, and nonprofit leadership. Since specializing exclusively in nonprofit funding strategy in 2015, she has helped organizations secure millions of dollars in grant funding while designing innovative programs that advance economic mobility, workforce development, mental health, youth services, and community wellness. Known for pairing strategic planning with compelling grant proposals, she has built a reputation for helping nonprofits strengthen both their funding capacity and long-term sustainability.
Before focusing exclusively on nonprofit development, Alanna built a diverse career spanning community organizing, affordable housing and mixed-use real estate development, project management, zoning compliance, and virtual administrative consulting. Her experience managing development projects from acquisition through construction provided a strong operational foundation that she later leveraged in nonprofit leadership roles. She has served as Development Consultant for Water 2 Wine Consulting Group, Director of Development and Communications and Program Manager for the Black Mental Health Alliance, and currently serves as an OSI Baltimore Community Fellow, where she leads the Bronze Girl Collective©—an initiative dedicated to promoting healing, financial stability, and healthy aging among Black women over the age of 40.
Alanna earned her Bachelor's Degree in History from the University of Maryland, College Park, after beginning her undergraduate studies at American University. She is an Open Society Fellowship recipient and is passionate about helping nonprofits move beyond traditional grant seeking by developing innovative programs and diversified revenue strategies. Guided by integrity, ethical leadership, and a commitment to creating equitable opportunities, she encourages the next generation of nonprofit professionals to embrace technology responsibly, expand their expertise beyond grant writing, and pursue leadership roles that create lasting community impact.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Alanna
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to going beyond simply writing grant applications. Throughout my career, I have focused on designing innovative programs that address community needs while helping nonprofit organizations identify creative and sustainable revenue opportunities beyond traditional grant funding. By combining strategic program development with diversified funding approaches, I have been able to create lasting impact for the organizations and communities I serve.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is that maintaining high ethical standards in business will take you farther than almost anything else. My mother instilled in me the importance of integrity, honesty, and doing the right thing, and those principles have shaped every professional relationship and opportunity throughout my career.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women entering this field to become proficient in the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence as a professional tool. Expand your opportunities beyond nonprofit grant writing by developing expertise in bid proposal writing for businesses as well. Most importantly, view grant writing as more than a career destination—it can be a powerful stepping stone toward executive leadership and broader influence within the nonprofit sector.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I believe one of the greatest opportunities in this profession is using grant writing as a pathway into nonprofit leadership. Professionals who understand funding strategy, program development, and organizational sustainability are well positioned to take on executive leadership roles and influence long-term organizational success.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are security, health, and peace. I believe in creating emotional and financial security, prioritizing both physical and mental well-being, and maintaining peace of mind. These values guide the decisions I make in both my professional work and my personal life.
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