SMALLTOWN GRANTS
Institutional Funding Architecture

High-Stakes Grant Writing & Federal Proposal Strategy

Empowering US Nonprofits & Municipalities • Audit-Proof Logic Models • Precision Analytics • Fixed-fee engagements strictly aligned with GPA ethical standards.

✓ Federal & State Funding Strategy
✓ Census ACS Demographic Validation
✓ GPA Code of Ethics & 2 CFR 200 Aligned
Check Program Eligibility — Free Review Case Portfolio →
Federal Grants (Grants.gov) Foundation Proposals SAM.gov & UEI Compliance 100% Asynchronous • Direct Documentation
For towns & cities
A complete application, written for you
Under 20,000 population. Predictable flat fee, milestone-based, everything by email. Check eligibility →
For engineering & A/E firms
White-label funding application writing
You design the project; I write the USDA funding package behind your brand. See how it works →
800+
Municipalities & NPOs Analyzed
in Live Demographics Database
100%
GPA Ethics & 2 CFR 200 Aligned
(Zero Contingency Fees)
10+ Yrs
Cross-Functional Proposal Strategy
& Demographic Architecture
Process

How It Works

✉ No calls required — everything by email

A complete draft 2–3 weeks after you return the questionnaire — the full timeline depends on your program's document checklist, and you get a dated plan up front.

1

Free Eligibility Check

Fill out the form below or email me. I review your community and project, and respond within one business day.

2

You Fill the Questionnaire

A short online form about your project. I pull the Census data myself — minimal work on your end.

3

I Write, You Review

Complete narrative draft in 2–3 weeks. One round of revisions by email. You verify facts and submit to USDA.

Independent Practice

Who You're Working With

Valerii Cheipesh, Principal Grants Consultant

Hi, I'm Valerii — Principal Grants Consultant at Small Town Grants. I provide high-stakes grant architecture for organizations that need rigorous, audit-proof proposals without large-firm overhead.

Across rural America and regional nonprofit sectors, transformative community initiatives often miss out on federal and institutional funding simply because staff bandwidth is stretched thin. Large consulting firms rarely prioritize rural towns or emerging nonprofits. Small Town Grants was established to close that gap with senior-level analytical rigor and predictable, transparent fees.

Holding a Master of Science in Ecology & Environmental Sciences with formal U.S. Academic Equivalency Evaluation (aligned with NACES/WES standards), my practice combines environmental and technical analysis, Census ACS demographic data, and structured logic models to satisfy complex federal and foundation NOFO guidelines. Operating strictly under the Grant Professionals Association (GPA) Code of Ethics, every engagement is handled with absolute institutional integrity.

  • Client Retains Authority: You review every narrative and budget exhibit; your Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) retains sole submission and signing authority.
  • Zero Contingency Fees: Fully compliant with 2 CFR 200 Uniform Guidance — predictable flat milestone or retainer pricing. Never a percentage of your award.
  • 100% Asynchronous Transparency: Every milestone, data source, and draft is documented in writing for seamless board and council review.
  • Verifiable Portfolio: Review our public writing samples and institutional case studies across public safety, infrastructure, and community health.

Valerii Cheipesh · Principal Grants Consultant · Small Town Grants (Independent Practice) · View Full Resume (PDF) →

Grant Programs

What I Cover

Starting with the most reliable federal programs for small communities.

★ Priority

USDA Community Facilities

  • Grant covers 15–75% of project cost, set by population and income
  • Remainder financed by a CF direct loan at a fixed rate
  • Rolling deadline — apply any time
  • Reviewed and scored by your state USDA office
  • Communities under 20,000 pop.
  • Fire stations, clinics, town halls
Tier 1

FEMA AFG — Fire Departments

  • $50K–$500K per award
  • Application window announced in each year's NOFO
  • $291M awarded in FY2024
  • Equipment, vehicles, training
  • Clear published scoring rubric
Tier 1

State CDBG Small Cities

  • $50K–$750K per award
  • State-administered HUD funds
  • Spring deadlines (varies by state)
  • Infrastructure, public facilities
  • Strong in MN, IA, WI, ND
Tier 1

AARP Community Challenge

  • Flagship grants up to $15K; demonstration grants up to $25K
  • Foundation funded — private money, lighter paperwork
  • Shorter application format
  • Walkability, parks, public spaces
  • Spring deadline annually
Institutional Engagement Models

Predictable, Deliverable-Based Pricing

Transparent flat-fee and retainer engagements. In strict compliance with GPA ethics and 2 CFR 200, we never accept percentage fees or contingency cuts.

Grant Readiness Audit
Comprehensive funder alignment & opportunity scoring before committing capital.
$1,200 – $1,800
Fixed milestone fee · 5–7 business day delivery
  • ✓ Census ACS demographic profile & distress index
  • ✓ Federal & state NOFO eligibility screening
  • ✓ Competitive scoring rubrics & gap analysis
  • ✓ SAM.gov / Grants.gov institutional checklist
  • ✓ Strategic Go / No-Go decision memorandum
Request an Audit →
Most Popular
Comprehensive Proposal
Submission-ready application package for federal, state, or major foundation grants.
$2,500 – $4,500
Milestone-based project fee · Scoped per NOFO complexity
  • ✓ Full narrative draft (Statement of Need, Project Design, Plan)
  • ✓ Audit-proof Logic Model & Theory of Change
  • ✓ Data-driven demographic justification & mapping
  • ✓ Line-item budget & detailed budget justification narrative
  • ✓ Two complete revision cycles with your leadership team
  • ✓ Final packaging ready for your Authorized Representative (AOR)
Scope Your Proposal →
Fractional Grant Capacity
Ongoing grants development department for growing 501(c)(3) nonprofits.
$1,500 – $2,800 / mo
Dedicated monthly retainer · 3-month initial commitment
  • ✓ 10–20 hours/month dedicated grant development bandwidth
  • ✓ 1–2 full proposals, renewals, or LOIs per month
  • ✓ Active grant calendar & rolling deadline management
  • ✓ Funder cultivation correspondence & query drafting
  • ✓ Monthly pipeline status briefing for your board of directors
Explore Retainers →

GPA Code of Ethics & 2 CFR 200 Compliance

Small Town Grants operates strictly on predetermined flat fees and professional retainers. In full compliance with federal Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and the Grant Professionals Association (GPA) Code of Ethics, we do not charge percentage-based contingency fees, commission on awards, or "success fees". All fees are transparently agreed upon in advance and independently audited.

FAQ

Common Questions

What city managers ask before signing.

Do you guarantee we will receive the grant? +
No — and any service that promises guaranteed grant money is lying to you. Grant decisions are made by USDA or FEMA based on your community eligibility and competition. I maximize your chances by writing the strongest possible application. Think of it like hiring a lawyer to write a contract: you pay for the work, not the court decision.
Why can't we pay after we receive the grant? +
Two reasons. First, the cost of preparing an application generally isn't an allowable charge against the grant itself, so it can't simply be paid out of the proceeds. Second, contingency arrangements — paying only if you win — are considered improper in the grant-writing profession and can put an award at risk. A flat consulting fee, agreed up front, is the clean and standard way to handle it, and it's easy to document in your budget records.
Could a mistake in the application put our city at risk? +
An honest mistake just makes an application less competitive — at worst, it isn't funded. There is no penalty for honest errors. Penalties only apply to knowingly false statements: deliberately submitting false information to obtain federal funds. That is exactly why I build every application from official sources — Census data and your own records — and why you review every fact and submit it yourself. Accurate, verifiable, and in your hands.
We have never applied for a federal grant. Is that a problem? +
Not at all — that is exactly who I serve. Most small towns have never had a dedicated grant writer on staff. I guide you through every step: eligibility check, questionnaire, narrative draft, budget, and final review. Your city manager or mayor signs and submits — I prepare everything else.
How long does the whole process take? +
I deliver a complete draft in 2–3 weeks after you return my questionnaire. Total time to submission depends on your program's document checklist — you get a dated plan up front. After submission, USDA review takes additional months; I'll map the full timeline for your program before we start.
What information do we need to provide? +
Very little. I pull the Census data (population, income) myself. You fill out a short questionnaire: what you want to build, estimated cost, why it is needed, and who will use it. The hardest part is usually getting a cost estimate from a contractor — I can advise on that too.
Are you affiliated with USDA or any government agency? +
No. I'm an independent grant writing service. Not affiliated with USDA, FEMA, or any government agency. I prepare your application — your city submits it directly to the program office.
Pre-Screening Tool

Grant Eligibility Assessment

Instant pre-screening for municipalities and nonprofits across federal and state programs.

Does your community or organization qualify for federal grant funding?

No sales calls or meetings required. Select your organization type and complete the fields below.

Median household income for your jurisdiction (from Census ACS data)

Approximate current fiscal year budget

Get Started

Ready to Apply?

No calls. No meetings. Email me and I'll take it from there.

✉ grants@smalltowngrants.com
  • 1 Email me your organization name, state, and project idea
  • 2 I confirm eligibility and send a flat fee quote
  • 3 You review and approve a clear, milestone-based agreement
  • 4 I deliver a complete draft in 2–3 weeks