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Funding From Concept to Success
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Matthew F. Johnston is a seasoned grants management professional with over ten years of comprehensive experience navigating federal, state, tribal, and foundation funding landscapes. His expertise spans the complete grant lifecycle—from strategic readiness assessment and competitive proposal development to award management, compliance, and reporting—serving nonprofits, tribal nations, academic institutions, and international humanitarian organizations.
Throughout his career, Matthew has facilitated over $400 million in grant funding across diverse sectors. His distinguished expertise includes serving Oneida Indian Nation ("America's First Ally"), USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, and Virginia Commonwealth University's College of Science & Engineering.
Matthew has successfully partnered with major federal agencies including DOE, DOJ, DOT, EPA, HHS, HUD, IMLS, NEH, NIH, NSF, USAID, and USDA, along with various private foundation and corporate funding sourcs. His work has supported critical initiatives ranging from tribal sovereignty and cultural preservation to humanitarian disaster assistance, higher education, research, and community development.
A certified professional in Grants Management with dual bachelor's degrees in International Relations and Business Administration from SUNY Empire State College and the University of New York in Prague, Matthew also holds a Cybersecurity Certificate from the University of Richmond. He founded MFJ Grant Strategies in 2024 to provide mission-driven organizations with the expert guidance needed to transform grant opportunities into funding successes.
Whether you're pursuing your first major grant or managing a complex funding portfolio, Matthew brings the strategic insight, technical expertise, and hands-on experience to help your organization secure the resources needed to achieve its mission.
BEYOND THE OFFICE
Matthew's global perspective is shaped by having lived and worked in five countries across four continents. His international experience includes completing his university studies in Prague, Czech Republic, interning at the U.S. Embassy in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and deploying with USAID's Disaster Assistance Response Team to Northeastern Nigeria.
Based in Richmond, Virginia, Matthew operates a micro-farm where he practices sustainable agriculture and maintains beehives as an apiarist. An amateur carpenter, he applies the same attention to detail and craftsmanship to his woodworking projects as he does to business development. He is also an avid backgammon player who learned the game from his grandfather and continues to play competitively since childhood.
These hands-on pursuits reflect his appreciation for self-sufficiency, traditional skills, and building things that last—values that inform his approach to building sustainable infrastructures.
Portfolio Management | Advisory Services
Federal Grants
State Grants
Private Foundation Grants
Corporate Funding and Sponsorships
Expertise across sectors, delivering impactful grant
funding outcomes >>>
+ Non-profit Organizations
+ Hospitals & + Healthcare
+ Arts & Culture
+ Municipal Governments
+ Transportation Infrastructure
+ Public Libraries
+ Disaster Relief
+ Emerging Technology
+ Startups
+ Agriculture
+ Environmental Sustainability
+ Community Development
+ Small Business Development
+ Telecommunications
+ Museums & Cultural Institutions
+ Faith-based Organizations
+ Tribal Nations
+ And more...
Pricing Structure >>>
One-Time Starter Package:
Tailored prospecting opportunities | one grant application.
Project-Based:
Cost per single application | cost per eligible opportunity profile bundle (AFTER "Starter Package").
Statistical Win:
5x grant application bundle (20% success rate is the industry standard; higher with expert consultant).
Ongoing Retainer:
Continued prospecting, ongoing grant applications, report writing, no "rush deadline" charge, advisory guidance, additional communication.
Portfolio for Year 2025 - Grant Funding Secured >>>
$2,562,500 to support a dental program including salaries and procurement of dental equipment.
$898,506 to support public safety and communiy policing; to purchase equipment needed by police department.
$456,261 for the maintenance of transportation facilities (roads, parking lots, etc.).
$300,000 to support tree planting reforestation including Maple trees for maple syrup production.
$134,600 to support preventative and ongoing activities to control the spread of invasive plant species.
$10,000 to support library administrative services.
$2,500 to receive a liturgical startup kit for church mission plant.
___________________________
$4,364,367 TOTAL for Year 2025
PHASE 1
STRATEGIC FUNDING READINESS ASSESSMENT
Position your organization for funding success with expert analysis and actionable insights
Our comprehensive assessment evaluates your organization's grant readiness, identifies funding gaps, and delivers a strategic roadmap tailored to your mission. Through in-depth consultation and analysis, we examine your programs, financial sustainability, governance structure, and competitive positioning. You'll receive a detailed readiness report, strategic recommendations, and a clear action plan to strengthen your funding potential.
PHASE 2
GRANT PROSPECTING
AND OPPORTUNITY INTELLIGENCE
Discover the right funding opportunities matched to your mission, programs, and capacity
Stop wasting time on poor-fit grants. Our research service delivers a curated portfolio of funding opportunities specifically matched to your organization's mission, programs, geographic focus, and eligibility criteria. We conduct comprehensive prospect research across federal, state, local, private foundation, and corporate funding sources, analyzing alignment, competitiveness, and strategic fit. You'll receive detailed opportunity profiles, deadline calendars, and strategic guidance on prioritization.
PHASE 3
PROFESSIONAL GRANT WRITING AND APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT
Maximize your funding success with compelling, professional crafted grant proposals.
Secure the funding your mission deserves with expertly written grant proposals that tell your story, demonstrate impact, and meet funder requirements. Our experienced grant writers develop comprehensive applications including compelling narratives, detailed budgets, logic models, and all required attachments. We handle the entire development process from initial strategy through final submission, ensuring your application is competitive, compliant, and persuasive.
PHASE 4
ACTIVE GRANT PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
Ensure ongoing compliance, maximize impact, and maintain strong funder relationships.
Successfully managing awarded grants requires expertise, vigilance, and strategic oversight. Our portfolio management services provide comprehensive support for your active grants, ensuring compliance, financial accountability, and mission impact. We track all grant requirements, manage reporting deadlines, monitor expenditures, coordinate with project teams, and maintain detailed documentation. Services include progress reporting, budget monitoring, and modifications, compliance reviews and audits.
