As Grants Coordinator, Deanna Knapp develops and coordinates grant-funded programs for the Self Help Network. She researches, manages proposal writing, and grant management at federal, national, state, regional, and local levels to fund on-going Self Help Network initiatives and new projects consistent with the vision and mission of the Network. In addition, Deanna cultivates relationships with other community support and community research teams, community partners, colleagues and potential grantors.

Deanna holds a Masters in Community Psychology and a certificate of Nonprofit Management from Wichita State University. She co-founded the Kansas Professional Grant Association in 1996 to promote a better understanding of grant development.

With over two decades of experience in grant development, she has assisted numerous agencies in receiving several million dollars in grants. She has authored grants for private foundations, federal and state sources, a book chapter titled “Making Dreams Come True” and numerous articles and presentations.
Her grant proposals have been awarded from Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Kansas Health Foundation, Kansas State Historical Society, Sedgwick County, State of Kansas, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, U.S. Department of Justice, National Science Foundation, and the Wichita Community Foundation, to name a few.

Deanna has a broad understanding of the workings of not-for-profits and the grants world. She has served as a reviewer for several grant rounds and has advised federal, foundation and corporate grant reviewers. She has taught Grant Writing at Newman University, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, and Wichita State University. In addition she has sat on the Board of Directors of not-for-profits and served as consultant to several local agencies.

Deanna has been recognized for her service through the I Make the Difference Award from USD 260 Derby’s Board of Education, and Distinguished Service Awards from the Association of Retarded Citizens of Sedgwick County, and the American Diabetes Association.

From 1999 until recently, Deanna Knapp was the president and CEO of Knapp Knowledge Development Firm. In this role, she assisted numerous not-for-profits in solidifying their competitive edge, enhancing their professional skills, improving their work culture, and building their dream team. “There is a tremendous amount of grant dollars available. Helping Kansas communities and agencies access these funds to build their programs and better serve Kansans is exciting.” Some of the agencies that she worked with include: Catholic Charities Inc, Episcopal Social Services, Horizon United Methodist's Center, Kansas Health Foundation, Orpheum Theater, Ronald McDonald House, Sedgwick County Commissioners, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Urban League of Wichita, Inc., and Wichita Public School System USD 259.

Prior to this Deanna was with the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita as the Director of their Office of Research which included Grant Administration, Clinical Drug Trials and coordinating their federal Ryan White grant.

Deanna volunteers extensively with her church, her sons’ schools and the Boy Scouts. Her favorite part of life is being married to Tom, her best friend and her two incredible sons, Joshua and John Michael. When time allows you will find her out-of-doors camping, hiking, fishing and just being with her “men”.