Julie Donovan and the Impact Behind the Numbers
Spotlight: 2025 Exceptional Administrative-Exempt Award recipient
Julie Donovan believes that impact shouldn’t take a decade to see, and she’s built a career proving it. As the Director of Grant Development, she helps shape program ideas into reality by securing funding at the federal, state, and local levels.
Previously, Julie worked on the data and research side for Child and Family Health. Although her team would write legislation that affected national policy, she wouldn’t see its outcome for many years. This disconnection motivated her to find a role where she could contribute to real and tangible change. It was time to focus on the here and now.
She started at Clark College as an institutional research associate in 2013, then transferred to grant development in 2018. Now, she feels the difference that she’s making in people’s lives every day.
“You get the immediate success,” she said. “I’m now seeing some of the effects of the grants I got when I started this role. Seeing the impact now is a lot of fun to witness as the money is used to implement the vision we had built.”
When a project or element of the academic plan needs funding, Julie looks for opportunities that align with the program’s objectives. It requires keeping an eye on what’s available now, but more importantly, what’s in the pipeline. Oftentimes, grant submission windows are very short and require more than 50 pages of research — Julie focuses on having much of this ready before the window even opens.
“Even when we don’t get the grant, we use the process to refine programs so that they’re ready for the next time,” she said. “My role is to get us funding, but it’s more about cultivating those project ideas so that we can then figure out a funder that aligns with it. The last thing we want to do is change the project vision, like trying to force a triangle into a round hole.”
Gathering the necessary data isn’t the only step. Once a funding source is identified, an executive sponsor is assigned to the grant — at Clark, that’s an Executive Cabinet member who will be responsible for implementing the grant if approved. Julie also helps guide the application materials through multiple vetting cycles. Once she receives notice on the application’s status — which may sometimes require revisions before approval — Julie coordinates a kickoff meeting. She works with Business Services to set up the account and walks grant managers and project staff through the regulations so that everyone understands the rules. “It’s not the fun and glorious part,” she said, “but it’s important.”
Each year, she helps secure between $10–13 million in funding for various programs, some of which are on a recurring cycle. While it’s exciting to receive so much money, she notes that it also means making sure everyone knows the rules. “Twenty-one funded grants, contracts, and allocations add up to that $10–13 million, which means there are 21 different sets of rules.”
After becoming so immersed in a project, Julie admits that letting it go isn’t easy. “Setting up that kickoff meeting is the hardest part for me,” she said. “As long as everything goes as planned, I won’t touch [the project] again until I’m looking for data to apply for more money.”
Julie’s favorite part of the job is working with so many people. While she’s a team of one in grant development, each project allows her to work with a different team across campus. These teams have a vision, but they don’t always know how to get there, and that’s how Julie can help.
“They might want to develop a new program, and I help them break it down into chunks,” Julie said. “I give them a full timeline with step-by-step instructions on how to go about implementing it and making it an actionable plan. Even if we don’t get that specific funding, they now know how to go about doing it.”
But seeing programs get the funding is even better. The first federal grant she secured while at Clark was the CCAMPIS grant — “Childcare Access Means Parents in School” — which provides subsidized childcare, allowing student parents to enroll their children in Clark’s Child and Family Services preschool. The grant supports 20–30 students annually, with some enrolling multiple children. Each student is a living example of the kind of change Julie now sees in real time.
“People being excited about a project they’re doing and being able to see the impact of the money is the most rewarding part,” she said.
Unfortunately, things don’t always work out as planned, and not receiving the money can be disappointing. But instead of letting those obstacles get in the way, Julie chooses to look at the positives.
“I focus on what we can do rather than looking at what isn’t working,” she said. “I’m rephrasing it as being prepared for when things are more optimistic.”
That optimism does not go unnoticed. One nominator said, “Julie’s calm demeanor and sense of humor put people at ease, even when she has to address controversial topics or deliver unwelcome news.”
When she helps secure a grant, she doesn’t have a personal celebration. “It’s not just something I did. It’s a whole team,” she said. “I’m celebrating that we put a plan in place rather than the outcome. I try to make sure anything we create isn’t only for that specific funding opportunity. It can last no matter what.”
This year, Julie anticipates reaching $50 million in grants and contracts for which she’s helped prepare applications throughout her time at Clark — investments that continue moving the college forward.
One of her nominators said it best:
“Julie is both an initiator of ideas and has great follow-through with other people’s ideas for the betterment of the community. Clark is a better place due to her work.”
Outside of work, Julie loves to travel and explore new places — she’s visited 22 countries across six continents. At home, Julie spends time with family and is kept on her toes by her one-year-old clumber spaniel puppy, Nemo, pictured above.
Learn More About the Exceptional Administrative-Exempt Award
The Exceptional Clark College Administrative-Exempt Award honors an exempt staff member who contributes significantly to building a positive climate and inclusive environment and improving the quality of life at Clark. Submissions generally open in June each year. Learn more about the selection criteria.
Featured photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley
Story by Malena Goerl, Staff Writer, Communications and Marketing