Illinois DCEO

The grant application submitted by Certified Dream Builder and Dr. Barbara Wright, in partnership with their client, set a new standard of excellence in our competitive review process. The proposal earned one of the highest scores in the program’s history and resulted in a $1,000,000 award across two Illinois communities.

We were so impressed with the clarity, structure, and strategic alignment of the application that our team expressed interest in using it as a model to guide and train other grant writers throughout Illinois. It serves as an outstanding example of how a well-designed, community-driven proposal should look, thorough, data-informed, and fully aligned with state priorities.

Dr. Wright’s work demonstrates what is possible when expertise, innovation, and community commitment come together. This application will positively influence how future proposals are developed and evaluated across the state."
—Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Program Review Team

K. Patrice Williams, JD

Dr. Wrights Grantwriting Made Easy webinar is amazing.   It gives you the technical aspects in writing a grant and budget formulas.  My only regret is that I didn’t take it sooner!  

I submitted a grant a week before I took the workshop. While in Dr. Wright's class, I immediately realized that my budget formula was wrong.   I corrected the formula, completed some other edits and submitted a similar grant.  

In summary, I didn’t get the grant with the “wrong” budget formula.  I did win the grant I revised after taking Dr Wrights class.   I’m so excited!

I recommend Dr. Wright, her books, and her workshop wholeheartly.