Strategic Planning, Good Governance, and Bold Goals: The Case for Centralized Grants Management in Local Government

The surge of federal aid resulting from the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic forced many local governments and nonprofit organizations to rethink the way they seek and manage grants. Clay County, Florida, a community of 234,701 residents, is an example of a local government that transitioned from a decentralized grants management strategy in 2020 to a centralized strategy in 2021 by creating a dedicated Grants Management Department to oversee all aspects of grant research, writing, and compliance. The new department also oversees privately-funded sponsorships and fundraising campaigns, increasing the availability of non-tax revenue for important public projects. This paper explains why Clay County made grants a key part of its 2024–2028 Strategic Plan, how good governance supports successful grantseeking and achieving bold goals, and how other organizations can make the case for building a robust staff of grant professionals to move their organizations forward.