local storiesNovember 10, 2025

Inspiring Conversations with Grace Sanchez of McKinley/The Grace Group

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Sanchez.

Hi Grace, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
was born and raised in Compton, California, by immigrant parents who taught me a strong work ethic and that anything is possible. I discovered early that I had a talent for sales. I was the kid selling candy bars for school and realizing I enjoyed connecting with people. That led me into medical sales, where I built valuable skills in communication and relationship building.
Over time, I discovered that my real passion was helping people tap into their generosity and live out their values. That passion led me into the nonprofit world. I worked with organizations such as World Vision, Focus on the Family, and Union Rescue Mission. Eventually, I started my own grant writing company, The Grace Group, so I could support a variety of nonprofits and expand my impact. It allowed me to help many organizations move their missions forward.
In 2019, I began working with McKinley as a contractor, and in 2020, I was invited to join the team as Senior Vice President. I am grateful to be in a role where I can continue helping others and support meaningful work every day.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was never a smooth road. I spent four years at Deutsche Bank, earning more than I had ever made, but my life took a sudden turn when I lost my sister to ovarian cancer, and my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer and given only three months to live. I decided to leave my job and become my mother’s full-time caretaker. I was denied the opportunity to stay on through medical leave, but my mother lived for a year, and that time with her confirmed that stepping away from my career was absolutely the right choice.
During that season, I also realized I wanted to continue making an impact in the world, so I launched The Grace Group. We provide grant writing services to small and medium-sized organizations that often do not have the resources for internal specialized staff. My vision was to offer excellence as a service, helping these organizations access funding that could truly advance their missions.
Building a business has never been easy. There were challenges, long hours, and the constant balancing act of growing a team while maintaining quality. But I have always prioritized people over profit, which has allowed us to build a strong, loyal team that delivers excellent work. Through The Grace Group, we have been able to help organizations secure funding for worthy causes, enabling them to make a real difference in their communities.

We’ve been impressed with McKinley/The Grace Group, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As the Senior Vice President of Development at McKinley, I oversee all fundraising and development strategies that support our mission. I lead our donor relations, corporate partnerships, and community engagement efforts, and I also oversee our grants. My role combines strategy and relationship building. I guide our development initiatives from concept to execution, making sure every partnership and every dollar raised directly supports the children, families, and individuals we serve. My goal is to inspire generosity and connect people to the impact their support makes possible.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The fundraising and grant writing landscape has become increasingly competitive, and that trend will continue as legislative changes impact how funds are distributed and reported. This means that excellence and attention to detail are no longer optional. They are essential. Nonprofits must be more strategic, more organized, and more prepared to articulate their impact clearly. I also believe nonprofits will rely even more on their donor base. Cultivating genuine relationships, communicating outcomes, and demonstrating transparency will be key to long term sustainability in this evolving environment.

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