margaretnvancleve@gmail.com

grant, proposal writer and freelance communications professional based in New York City.

Me.

I am first and foremost a communicator – synthesizing information and making sense of it through writing is my passion. As an aspiring polyglot, I know how to navigate the twists and turns inside of  language and, more importantly, how to hone them. In most things, knowing what to say is as important as knowing how to say it.

What can I do for you?

I love helping clients solve problems through creative solutions. I am patient and tenacious in my working style. With grant and proposal writing, I partner with clients in searching for resonant messages while simultaneously project managing. I have a strong track record of winning proposals and building long-lasting partnerships.

  • My proposals and grant applications have brought six-figure awards and seven-figure contracts to firms.

    From federal to local grants and Requests for Proposals (RFP) to prestigious awards, I am well attuned to reading RFP nuance and adapting language to respond to institutional audience requirements and preferences.

    I will help you secure funding through developing compelling, winning proposals.

  • A campaign idea is only as good as its execution. The right message has to be packaged and realized with precision so that it reaches the right audience.

    Having managed over 30 campaigns for New York City’s Departments of Transportation and Health, I know how to lead a team to deliver campaigns. I can bring teams together and lead them to complete even the most complex projects.

    From managing engineers in finalizing proposals to publishing an annual magazine, I can bring together any disparate team mates and bring their goals into reality.

  • My original blogposts, imbued with creative and data-driven insights, remain some of the most read on websites years after publication.

    I have written for websites, newsletters, and magazines, along with donor-facing material. I have a breadth of experience developing written copy that fits into organizational strategies.

    I have experience writing long and short form narratives for diverse audiences. Writing for a non-native English-speaking audience, I can utilize Plain Language so my pieces are easily understood.

    Let me help you find your voice!

  • I have earned favorable media coverage in syndicated publications like the New York Times by effectively communicating key messages in an understandable and relevant context through effective storytelling that brings the why and the how together.

    I know how to bring critical details to the forefront in compelling press releases and effective messaging. I have helped C-Suite executives find clarity in their messaging.

  • Having a message is crucial, but knowing how to share it is equally important.

    In today’s landscape there are many avenues for sharing a message. Whether it be fundraising or audience engagement, bringing your voice to life online is a critical step in brand management.

    Having worked on and built websites, I am familiar with SEO best practices and know how to help you find your audience online. Analytics and analysis are forefront in my strategic thinking.

  • I have edited countless articles and proposals. With knowledge of various styles, including Chicago and MLA, I can provide illustrative feedback that helps writers improve and get their point across.

    With experience working with different software, I can help you bring your writing to life.

  • Fundraising is about helping people find a way to meaningfully contribute to important missions. Between my grant writing experience and conference planning, I can bring people together to support any mission.

    I am currently pursuing a Certificate in Fundraising at the New York University’s School of Professional Studies. With this degree, I hope to expand my professional network and grow my skillset.

Today we are witnessing an onslaught of crises from the scaling back of human rights, to the warming planet. I am motivated to work for a missions that address these issues. I hope to make an impact, even in a small way.

Why Me?

I am responsive, creative, idea-driven, and a pleasure to work with (or so I’ve been told).

My expertise is in taking complex subject material and distilling it into simple, yet effective, text that can be used on websites, in proposals, and in other marketing material. I have worked with policy papers and technical reports, transforming them into easy-to-read narratives that can inform broad, non-technical audiences. I am adept at developing grants from parsing out RFP language, to strategizing themes and differentiators based on grantmakers’ prioities, and finally managing the submission process.

I am experienced in writing for non-native English speaking audiences and can develop text that follows the Plain Language principles, emphasizing clarity and precision. My writing can reach, inform, and convince people with different backgrounds and language levels.

Having lived and worked abroad, I am trilingual, fluent in both Spanish and French, both of which I can use in full professional capacity, I am comfortable traveling and working cross-culturally. As a life-long learner, I am currently studying Turkish.

Writing Samples

Portfolio

Back to the Future: Our World’s Cities in 1985, and Today

2020, ITDP

In celebrating ITDP’s 35th Anniversary, pitched a Before/After idea for an article that shed light on global, urban progress.

To Combat Climate Change, Electrification Needs Compact Cities for Full Impact

2021, The City Fix

Article chosen and republished by The City Fix

35 Years of Certain Change in an Uncertain World

2020, ITDP

Companion blogpost to 35th Anniversary article, this blogpost included research findings and indexed all nine blogposts about ITDP’s regional offices.

The Next Pandemic Surge: Traffic

2021, ITDP

Used discussions about induced demand and current political and public health climate to advocate for more investment in necessary transit systems.

Will E-bikes Make Cycle Highways Happen?

2020, ITDP

Parsing e-bike data and using the growth of mode to indicate and influence infrastructure projects worldwide.

The High Cost of Transportation in the United States

2019, ITDP

ITDP’s most read blogpost for over five years, was republished with new data to respond to audience interest.

Highways and Zoning: Tools of Racist Policy

2021, ITDP

In light of the global George Floyd Protests, published timely article during Black History Month.

Density is Not the Problem: COVID-19 and Cities

2020, ITDP

In response to zealous articles blaming urban areas for the spread of COVID-19, this story highlighted the value of density.

Where does the Sidewalk Begin? Rethinking Suburban Streets in the Time of COVID-19

2020, ITDP

While many media sources were blaming cities for disease spread, this article reflected on the challenges of the unquestioned built environment.

The World Stopped but Transit Kept Moving

2021, ITDP

Introducing the Rapid Transit Database findings of 2020 and using the data as a rallying cry for committing to longterm transit projects & policy.

Pedestrian Bridges Make Cities Less Walkable. Why Do Cities Keep Building Them?

2019, ITDP

Republished later, due to frequent traffic and popularity.

Rapid Transit Database

2021, ITDP

Conceived of idea and brought to life by leading team through multiple month iteration and development process.

My hobby? Stationery.

Check it out on Etsy