Carynne McIver Button

Grant Writer & Strategist

Helping nonprofits secure the funding they deserve.

Who I Am

About Me

Carynne McIver Button

With over 18 years of experience in grant writing and nonprofit development, I partner with organizations to tell their stories and secure the funding they need to make a difference. From foundation and corporate grants to local government and federal sources, I support nonprofits at every stage of the grant pipeline.

I bring a detail-oriented, responsive, and creative approach to every engagement — whether it's a full grant proposal, strategic planning, prospect research, or reporting. My background spans general support, new programs, capacity building, and capital campaigns across sectors including healthcare, housing, education, conservation, and community empowerment.

A Williams College graduate based in Durham, North Carolina, I've worked with organizations across the country and bring both the rigor and the heart that effective grantwriting demands.

What I Do

Services

Grant Writing

Comprehensive grant management including prospect research, budget development, evaluation tools, proposals, reports, and deadline tracking. I handle the full lifecycle so you can focus on your mission.

Grant Strategy

Expert consultation for organizations managing grants internally. I offer proposal editing, content creation for new projects, and process guidance to strengthen your approach and increase success rates.

Grant Research

Funding identification for organizations launching major initiatives. I identify private and public funders aligned with your mission, giving you a clear roadmap to pursue the right opportunities.

Track Record

By the Numbers

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Trusted By

Organizations I've Worked With

Client Stories

What Clients Say

“Working with Carynne has been monumental for our organization. Her attention to detail, responsiveness, and creativity has made a world of difference in our grants program. She provides excellent work and is also always available to answer questions and truly values moments to teach us and pass on her skills.”

— Liz Snyder, Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill

“Carynne has been an integral part of the success of our grantwriting efforts. Her attention to detail and her tenacity in keeping us on task have translated into concrete positive results. She understands the mission as well as the financials, enabling us to tell our story meaningfully and accurately to potential funders.”

— Suzi Bevacqua, Assistant Director, The Green Chair Project

“Carynne's work with CEF has been vital to sustaining our growth. She communicates our complex, nontraditional programs in clear terms. In addition to being very responsive and conscientious, she has also been a valuable partner in strategy, and helped to streamline and improve our processes. Her support enabled CEF to secure our largest three funding opportunities in just the past two years.”

— Janet Xiao, Co-Director, Community Empowerment Fund

“I'm so grateful to have had the chance to work with Carynne. She listens well, grasps the essence of programs, and is able to communicate their value to funders in language they understand. In work where people with big hearts are sometimes short on details, Carynne's attention to the entire process is invaluable.”

— Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, Founder, School for Conversion
Career Path

Professional Experience

Grant Writer & Strategist

2016 – Present

Self-employed · Durham, NC

  • Secured $9.9 million in grant funding from foundation, corporate, local government, and federal sources
  • Support nonprofits at all stages of the grant pipeline, including prospect research, planning, writing, editing, and reporting
  • Success raising funds for general support, new programs, capacity building, and capital campaigns

Operations Director

2015 – 2016

School for Conversion · Durham, NC

  • Prepared proposals and reports following racial equity and asset-based community development frameworks
  • Created and implemented fundraising strategy, doubling the budget in two years
  • Managed communications, daily operations, and financials across programs including after-school mentoring and graduate-level education inside prisons

Development Officer

2013 – 2015

Go Global NC · RTP, NC

  • Created proposals and reports for programs fostering inter-cultural dialogue and understanding
  • Designed and executed organizational development plan, including annual fund, major donors, board engagement, corporate supporters, and foundation and government grants

Development Associate

2009 – 2012

Seacology · Berkeley, CA

  • Drafted proposals and reports highlighting the intersection of conserving island habitats and cultures worldwide
  • Managed grant research, writing, and reporting; raised over $750,000

Earlier Roles

2007 – 2009

Oceana · Washington, DC  •  Williams College Development Office · Williamstown, MA

  • Paralegal & Executive Assistant at Oceana
  • Development Assistant for the Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations at Williams College
Background

Education & Skills

Education

Williams College Williamstown, MA · 2004–2008

Bachelor of Arts in English, Cum Laude

Williams-Exeter Programme at Oxford Oxford University, UK · 2006–2007

Skills & Tools

Donor Management

Abila FundRaiser Insightly Salesforce

Grant Research

Candid Grants.gov GrantStation

Productivity

Asana Google Workspace Monday.com Quickbooks Slack

Training

Racial Equity Institute