![Grant writing professional Bethany Planton sits on a gray couch in front of a wall hung with bright, colorful pictures. She is smiling and wearing blue jeans. She has a laptop on her lap and a black dog with a silver snout next to her.](https://bmpconsulting.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Bethany-Planton-Grant-Writer-Team.jpg)
Meet Our Team
bethany m. planton, gpc
founder and ceo
Bethany helps nonprofit leaders and grant professionals build and maintain strategic and sustainable nonprofits AND have fun along the way.
Bethany M. Planton, GPC, is a consultant, trainer, and coach for nonprofits and consultants. She brings over 16 years of nonprofit experience and a $10 million track record in awarded grants from foundations, corporations, and local, state, and federal government in the areas of education, human services, veterans, historic preservation, and arts and culture.
Bethany is passionate about the field of grants and has served in a leadership capacity since 2016. She was part of a team of grant professionals that launched the #HealthyGrantPro initiative in 2019 to help grant professionals create healthy work environments that help them thrive. As a member of the #HealthyGrantPro team, Bethany co-authored two related publications – Burnout in the Grants Profession: An Initial Analysis and BIGGER than Burnout: Strategies for Winning the Silent Battle, published in the Journal of the Grant Professionals Association.
Aside from her professional endeavors, Bethany loves reading, traveling (anywhere and everywhere), eating ice cream, and cheering on Racing Louisville and The Ohio State Buckeyes.
![Grant writing professional Bethany Planton smiles while wearing a brightly colored blazer and holding an ice cream cone.](https://bmpconsulting.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Bethany-Planton-Grant-Writer-2.jpg)
Ingredients:
Experience
- $10 million awarded in grants
- 16 years of experience in the nonprofit sector
- Expertise in processes
- Thought leadership in burnout
![Grant writing professional Bethany Planton stands in front of a laptop and speaks to people seated around a U-shaped conference table.](https://bmpconsulting.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Bethany-Planton-Grant-Writer-Team-Training.jpg)
Education
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications Studies from Ball State University
- AmeriCorps VISTA Grant Writer/Fundraiser
- Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Administration from Western Kentucky University
- Grant Professionals Certification from the Grant Professionals Certification Institute (2016 - present)
- GPA-Approved Trainer (2020 - present)
- Social Media Strategist certification from the National Institute for Social Media (2020-2022)
- Scrum Master and the Product Owner certifications from Scrum, Inc (2020-present)
- Certified Tourism Ambassador (2022 - present)
Service
- Grant Professionals Association (GPA)
- Social Media Committee (2017-2018)
- Governmental Advocacy Committee (2024 - present)
- Mentor (2023 - present)
- GPA Kentucky Chapter
- Vice President (2018-2019)
- Communications Chair (2019 - 2020)
![Grant writing professional Bethany Planton kneels in the grass next to a black dog with a silver snout. The dog wears a hot pink bandana that reads "It's my gotcha day!" Both are smiling.](https://bmpconsulting.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Bethany-Planton-Grant-Writer-and-Gypsy.jpg)
gypsy
chief wellness officer
Gypsy helps nonprofit leaders and grant professionals practice the Wellness Triad of sleeping, eating, and exercising.
Gypsy joined bmpconsulting as the Director of Health and Wellness in July of 2017 and was promoted to Chief Wellness Officer in 2023. Her responsibilities include ensuring the bmpconsulting staff care for themselves through sleep, food, and exercise. She likes to add a little fun to the process.
Before joining bmpconsulting, Gypsy was waiting at Tyson’s Chance Animal Foundation for her opportunity to join an organization like bmpconsulting. Gypsy loves eating whatever you eat, walking in the park, and taking long naps.
Our Training Partners
![Grant writing professional Melissa Draut smiles while sitting on a wooden bench in front of an exterior wall adorned with brightly colored circular art pieces.](https://bmpconsulting.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Melissa-Draut-bmpconsulting-Trainer.jpg)
melissa draut
From 2007 through 2021, Melissa served as a contract grant writer for state domestic violence coalitions and local nonprofit organizations. She secured hundreds of grants raising more than $6 million to fund programs, operations, and capital projects. Her strength is building relationships and developing support from private and corporate foundations locally and nationally.
![Grant writing professional Vickie Johnson smiles in front of a rustic wooden wall. She has glasses, shoulder length dark hair, and a white blouse with blue flowers on the sleeves.](https://bmpconsulting.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Vickie-Johnson-bmpconsulting-Trainer.jpg)
vickie johnson, gpc
Vickie Johnson, GPC started her nonprofit career in 2009 at the state’s domestic violence coalition, where she helped build capacity for economic empowerment programs targeted to DV survivors. After securing her first two federal awards, she was hooked and has since helped organizations secure more than $13.5 million in competitive grants, as well as managed federal, state, and foundation funds. In 2019, Vickie began working as a grant writer for the Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative (OVEC) and, in 2022, launched a grants consulting business.