Looking for a job

Nenia Ballard

@neniaballard

Pairing a decade of tactical law enforcement and crisis resolution experience with proven success in nonprofit development and grant management.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I am seeking a development and grant writing role where I can leverage my experience in grant management, strategic campaigns, and donor stewardship to secure sustainable funding and drive institutional growth.

I am a writer, development strategist, and communications professional with a versatile career spanning technical editing, institutional fundraising, and more than a decade in public safety. I spent ten years serving local communities as a patrol officer and SWAT operator before focusing my skills on the nonprofit field.

In development and communications, I have directed end-to-end grant lifecycles, launched corporate sponsorship programs, and executed comprehensive fundraising campaigns to drive organizational growth and community engagement. Alongside my development work, I founded and led an athletic booster club focused on grassroots fundraising and sustainable programming.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Freelance Novel Editor

Current

Self Employed

Dec 2020 - Dec 2025 (5 years)

Evaluated fiction manuscripts for pacing, character development, and consistency, specializing in aligning fictional elements with real-world evidence. Collaborated with independent authors to edit and audit crime and suspense novels, correcting technical inaccuracies in procedural logic.

Developmental Editing Technical Editing Line Editing Proofreading

Development Coordinator/Grant Manager

Vermont Institute of Natural Science

Mar 2021 - Mar 2024 (3 years)

Identified grant opportunities and managed the end-to-end grant lifecycle, including composition, submission, and compliance reporting. Initiated fundraising campaigns and launched the Corporate Sponsorship Program to diversify revenue channels.

Grant writing Fundraising Donor Relations Event Planning Content Strategy Database Management Data Analysis

Patrol Officer

Town of Canaan

Dec 2017 - Mar 2021 (3 years 3 months)

Performed community policing and public safety operations, ensuring compliance and proactive crisis resolution. Spearheaded multi-agency fundraising initiatives and launched public relations and community wellness campaigns.

Community Policing Public Safety Crisis Resolution Fundraising Public Relations Program Development Digital Content Strategy

Patrol Officer

Town of Hanover

Sep 2012 - Dec 2018 (6 years 3 months)

Represented the department as the only female SWAT operator in New Hampshire, executing complex rapid-response operations. Directed fiscal operations and labor relations as Union leadership, and coordinated community programs like Coffee with a Cop.

SWAT Operations Risk Management Critical Thinking Teamwork Budget Management Labor Relations Fundraising Editing