The Bronx Veteran Chamber of Commerce has commissioned Devil Dog USA Incorporated to provide 300 hours of free grant writing, which will be allocated to various organizations working to improve their communities.

This leaves a broad and general scope for us to work with. Our goal is to provide support to a variety of organizations, both in New York City and abroad, for their specific agendas. To be clear, Veteran organizations or programs will take priority, but we maintain an open-minded approach and will consider all requests before making a decision.

First, let us introduce ourselves. Devil Dog USA Incorporated is an organization dedicated to helping veterans reintegrate into their communities with the community’s support. We have been operating for ten years, offering a wide range of services and resources to veterans and the general public. Now let us meet the team.

Gonzalo Duran
Senior Grant Writer

My name is Gonzalo Duran, and I would like to tell you more about myself.

I am a former United States Marine Sergeant, currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Devil Dog USA Incorporated. I also hold the position of District Leader of the 79th Assembly District in the Bronx. Over the past decade as a CEO, I have also been involved in various community roles, including serving as an access producer, cable talk show host, published columnist for numerous periodicals and newsletters, chaplain, advocate, and political leader in Bronx County.

Here are a few highlights to provide insight into who I am and what I bring to the table:

I received a certificate of commendation for my work as an administrator across multiple job fields in Iraq in 2008. Since returning home and working as an Executive Officer, I have achieved numerous accolades, including being a Nasdaq Opener, Father of the Year recipient, Veteran of the Year in the Bronx, Advocate of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year, and receiving multiple other citations and awards. My work has been featured on national television, both in print and on television. I have participated in various panels and have been sought after by many organizations for my expertise and the resources I provide to those I am associated with.

Ashleigh McIntosh
Chief Editor

Ashleigh is a former United States Marine, a mother, and the wife of a Navy Veteran. She currently holds the position of Chief Operations Officer at Devil Dog USA Incorporated, a role she has held for over 8 years. Ashleigh is an advocate for several causes, including animals, lupus, mental health, and veterans’ issues.

One of her most remarkable talents is her passion for reading and writing. She has been the backbone of Devil Dog USA Incorporated and has served as the Chief Editor for the company for over five years.

Vanessa Ray
Program Manager

Vanessa is a mother and the former wife of a fallen Marine. She has held various professional positions and pursued formal education. Currently, Vanessa serves as the social media manager for Devil Dog USA Incorporated.

She is deeply committed to numerous causes, including children’s welfare, mental health, and, most notably, veterans’ support. She has played a pivotal role in expanding Devil Dog USA Incorporated to the western regions and has been instrumental in gathering resources to support the organization’s administration and networking efforts.

Now that you have an idea of who we are, let me share insights into my experience and a few aspects of grant writing. Grant writing is a challenging endeavor; even the most experienced grant writers have an approval rate of 30% to 40%, meaning that 60% to 70% are rejected. Every grant competition attracts hundreds to thousands of competitors, each with unique stories and well-crafted proposals.

There are three common ways to compensate a grant writer: an hourly wage (typically ranging from $50 to $150 per hour, depending on experience), staff employment (with salaries of $50,000 a year or more, depending on experience), or a commission-based approach, which involves a percentage of the total grant amount (starting at 2% or more, e.g., a $200,000 grant at 2% would result in $4,000 upfront).

Over the past decade in the nonprofit sector, I have utilized various methods to secure funding for organizations, including donations, sponsorships, and grants. Grant writing is not my preferred method, but it holds significant potential when approached strategically.

There are several types of grants, including government grants (federal, state, and city), foundation grants, and community grants, among others. Each has its unique processes, but a well-prepared proposal is half the battle. The other half depends on whether you qualify and possess the necessary statistics, data, and accountability, both administratively and fiscally.

Our process for assisting you is as follows: You will identify a grant opportunity, ensure your eligibility, and we will evaluate your application in a formal meeting. A panel of three experts will review your case, and you will be promptly notified of our decision, typically within a week or less.

Our decision-making factors are primarily centered around the likelihood of your success. If, for example, you are seeking funding for a counseling program but lack a suitable space for its execution, or if you are requesting a substantial amount but lack experience in handling corporate taxes, these situations may not be in your favor. While we typically go to great lengths to support organizations, it is important to remember that many organizations are seeking assistance.

If your application is approved, we will request a media release, timely submission of required documents and information, and acknowledgment of our contribution to your success. Notably, we do not seek financial compensation, but rather recognition of our work.

Before committing to our services, we ask that you carefully consider your readiness and preparedness for this endeavor. Additionally, there are alternative ways to collaborate with us, such as fiscal sponsorship, access to office space for events, and resource sharing for funding opportunities.

You also have the option to engage our services. Our four-person team consists of myself as the senior grant writer, our chief editor, program coordinator, and grant searcher. We offer a sliding scale for compensation and are open to discussing this more broadly.

If you are ready to proceed and would like to schedule a formal meeting to discuss your potential acceptance into the grant writing program or explore our other services, please feel free to contact Gonzalo Duran at ceo@devildogusainc.org.