AFP Member Spotlight: Simone Dia, MPH

AFP Member Spotlights are a recurring series of interviews with AFP members, highlighting the unique individuals and career paths that exist within the fundraising profession. If you know an inspiring fundraising professional who deserves to be featured, please email afpmarcom@afpglobal.org.

In this Member Spotlight, we interviewed Simone Dia, MPH, grants manager at YWCA Lancaster. She shared with us some tips for maintaining a successful grant tracking system, as well as how moving from NYC to a small town has allowed for more professional and personal fulfillment.

Q: How did you start your career in the fundraising profession and what led you there?
A: During my tenure as a community development administrator for the City of Lancaster, I managed the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) portfolio. As a HUD (Housing and Urban Development) grantee, our office distributed grant funds to local nonprofit organizations to assist individuals and families classified as HUD-defined homeless or at risk of homelessness with Rapid Rehousing, Emergency Shelter and/or Street Outreach support services. Additionally, I managed expenditure reconciliation and reporting duties for various state and federal grants obtained by the city. Regrettably, due to consecutive years of not receiving ESG funds, my position was eliminated due to budgetary constraints. 

Unbeknownst to me, much of what I had learned in my previous role had prepared me significantly for the role as grants manager at the YWCA. I was deeply drawn to the YWCA's mission to combat racism, empower women, and advocate for peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. And for that reason, I accepted the position as their grants manager. After accepting the role, I saw opportunities to leverage my background in overseeing HUD grant allocations, project management, budgeting, and reporting requirements, into the new position. It brings me immense satisfaction to secure vital funding for the expansion of my organization and the advancement of Lancaster City residents.

Q: When and why did you decide to become an AFP member?
A: I recently joined AFP in early March 2024, mainly because of the professional connections that were available and because of the informational forums and learning opportunities that were offered to members. Since I have joined, I have made it a habit to frequent the platform regularly, to view the inquiries and insightful responses to questions that mirror many of the intricacies of fundraising and grant writing. As a member I now have a source that provides relevant material and guidance that addresses the daily bottlenecks we face in our sphere of grant writing and management.

Q: Are you doing anything innovative at your organization (or a past organization) that you think other fundraisers could benefit from?
A: The YWCA Lancaster has embarked upon an epic undertaking to build out our infrastructure within its existing footprint to accommodate 16 additional affordable housing units for low-income individuals and families. Through careful planning and intentional stewardship, our organization was able to reduce the rental rates of our low-income residents so that no one was obligated to pay more than 50% of their income on rental expenses. Additionally, our organization hosts an annual run/walk event entitled “Race Against Racism.”  This race allows our community to come together to have fun and support our Center for Racial and Gender Equity. While we understand a run/walk event cannot eliminate racism, it does amplify the existence of racism and by addressing a social issue it also contributes to the long-term sustainability of both the organization and society, helping to build a stronger community and a more equitable and inclusive society, which benefits everyone overall.

Q: What is your favorite word? (only one word) How has this word influenced or inspired your career?
A: It comes very naturally for me to be honest, consistent, and sincere in my actions. I have never struggled with doing what was right, my only dilemma was how to deliver my thoughts in a way that was not interpreted as offensive or rude. Because of this, my favorite word is integrity.

I have cultivated the principle of integrity to guide me in my interactions with others whether in a professional or personal context. In a peer-to-peer context, integrity has allowed me to build stronger cohesion in my work relationships and harness more effective communication. When everyone on the team knows that dialogue will be honest and straightforward, it improves outcomes and fosters greater trust.

In a more vertical relationship, speaking truth sincerely has allowed me to become a more effective leader, and helped with problem-solving and personal development. Having the freedom to voice my concerns and listen to feedback has developed my personal growth and presented opportunities to solve problems more coherently.

Q: What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: I am most pleased about my decision to relocate to Pennsylvania for professional pursuits. I am originally from the quintessential metropolitan area of NYC, where you can be received like a movie star one day and dismissed like a stranger the next. However, at the same time, it is a hub for economic activity, cultural diversity, and social interaction. In a big city, with big busyness, it can be challenging to find community, even though the irony is that we live our everyday lives with lots of other people. The stressors of living in a big metro area can impact meaningful relationships. Sometimes the connections are not always warm and welcoming, at least not for the long term.

Yet, there is something unique about living in a small town like Lancaster, PA. Nature is my background, family, and friends my community, farms my source of nutrition, volunteerism is my passion, and I am thriving. This transition has blossomed my professional career and improved my social network base exponentially. I am truly learning what it means to be a servant leader in my community and how to respect the autonomy of others.

Being a part of the community in Lancaster has placed me in front of and alongside many influential leaders and change agents. In hindsight, I am where I belong.

Q: How has being an AFP member and participating in the AFP affinity groups benefited you in your career?
A: I enthusiastically became a member of AFP in March 2024 with clear intentions. By immersing myself in this respected community, I am grasping the opportunity to engage with like-minded professionals and tap into their wealth of expertise. Through active participation in discussions, I am honing my skills in fundraising and grant writing, gaining invaluable insights, and discovering innovative approaches and resources. The forums and Q&A sessions provided by AFP serve as invaluable platforms for my professional growth in grant writing. I am confident that this affiliation will not only facilitate the development of key relationships but also empower me to secure vital funding and elevate my strategic approach to grant writing.

Q: In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing the nonprofit fundraising profession today?
A: Competitiveness is relentless in the nonprofit sector. Often, many nonprofits are vying for the attention of the same donors and securing funding in a crowded marketplace can be an arduous task. The persistent nonprofits can also challenge the patience of donors, also known as donor fatigue. However, being strategic and compelling may help us distinguish ourselves from the noise and garner the critical support needed for our programs, services, and organization.

Q: What advice do you have for other fundraising professionals, or people interested in getting into the field?
A: I have gained so much knowledge navigating the intricacies of grant writing, through practical experience, authored books on grants, and associations like AFP that provide comprehensive and relevant information on the management, concrete strategies, and the various components of grant writing.  One piece of advice I would give to anyone considering a career in grant writing is the importance of establishing a dependable grant tracking system.  This system will enable you to manage deadlines, track submissions, monitor progress, and evaluate outcomes more effectively.

Your system should include details on the following topics:
•    The problem
•    The solution
•    The mission
•    Target audience
•    The methodology
•    Goals and objectives
•    Program evaluation
•    Outcomes and impact
•    Program budget

This is a good foundation for writing your LOIs (Letter of Interest), proposals, and applications. You can build upon this, refine and/or adjust as needed. Having such a system in place not only saves time during tight deadlines but also enhances overall efficiency, productivity, and decision-making.