Student turns class project into grant for Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center

Liberty University classes often give students the chance to actively make a difference in their community. Recent graduate Katie Geer (’24), who earned her bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies with specializations in public health and entrepreneurship, went above and beyond in a business class last spring by submitting a grant proposal project for Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center in Lynchburg. An anonymous funder accepted the proposal, and the center received $2,000 to go toward supplies and resources for parents in the community.

The project was part of School of Business Professor Kristin Boyce’s new course last spring, BUSI459 – Donor Development & Fundraising, in which students write a grant proposal for a nonprofit of their choosing. The assignment requires the students to prepare a full grant proposal and submit it on their own or turn it back over to the nonprofit to submit.

The grant assisted Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center with fulfilling its mission of supporting the Lynchburg community and surrounding areas practically, emotionally, and financially through the provision of no-cost, life-affirming pregnancy services, community referrals, childbirth and parenting education, and resource support. The grant went toward providing baby items to parents — specifically diapers and wipes — and a client Christmas party.

“Working with Katie to secure a grant for us was such a blessing,” said Jane Oliver, executive director of the Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center. “Without a grant writer on staff, we do not have the bandwidth to seek many outside grant opportunities. Katie met with me to uncover our greatest needs and got right to work on submitting grant applications in an effort to fulfill them. The impact of Katie securing this grant will help support moms and dads who have chosen life and strengthen families in our community while furthering the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Geer said the course was her favorite at Liberty.

“It was fun and exciting, and I realized how easy it is for a lot of students to look at themselves and think, ‘I could never actually make an impact using my talents,’ but you actually just need to put yourself out there.”

Boyce said she aims to provide “real-life, applicable learning opportunities” in her classes.

“The grant writing assignment provided students the opportunity to choose a local nonprofit, connect with the leaders in that nonprofit to learn more about what they do, and then write a nonprofit proposal for them based on an application for a grant,” she said. “Katie was an amazing student, always very involved, engaged, and excited about the work she was doing. She told me many times how much she loved the class and how the assignments gave her such invaluable experience.”

The class uses Candid, a company that provides comprehensive data and insights for nonprofits and grant seekers. Though the tool can cost thousands of dollars per year for a subscription, students can use it at no extra cost through the services at Jerry Falwell Library.

The class has doubled in size since last year and continues to add more hands-on opportunities for students. Boyce now hosts a Grant Writing Workshop to give students a deeper look into the world of grant writing and invites guest speakers like President and CEO of the Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation Kathryn Yarzebinski to speak.

Geer said she values the mentorship and support of her professors, namely Boyce and School of Health Sciences adjunct professor Dr. Connie Huber, who mentored Geer one-on-one in for Research Week 2023, where she placed first in the undergraduate oral presentation category “Theoretical Proposals.” Her research focused on the relationship between pornography and mental health. She also presented her research at a public health educator conference in St. Louis, Miss., with Liberty sponsoring her trip.

“I always knew my professors were there to help me and support me, and I could go to them if I needed any help,” she said. “The initiatives I’ve taken with nonprofit work, with the grant and research, are all because my professors believed in me and were constantly speaking life into us and saying, ‘If you want to do this, we can make it happen; don’t limit yourself because you are young.’”

In 2021, under Huber’s mentorship, Geer started the nonprofit Worth It, which created health education curriculum for schools, emphasizing the dangers and impact of pornography and the importance of abstinence. She recruited and trained many other Liberty students to help deliver the curriculum around Lynchburg and surrounding areas.

“Katie Geer and I first crossed paths when I was a new faculty member at Liberty University, and she was just starting her journey as a freshman,” Huber said. “Our shared passion for youth and risk-avoidance education quickly brought us together, and I will always remember her raw dedication to the cause she felt called to.”

Though Geer has since decided to close the nonprofit after running it for two years, she is continuing to present her research and passion for health education and prevention. Last week, she traveled from her home in Lebanon, Ohio, to speak as part of two education and prevention panels at Liberty’s International Justice Mission Conference, hosted at the Montview Student Union, Alumni Ballroom. She spoke on the interaction between human trafficking and the porn industry.

Since graduating, Geer has worked as a development director and presenter for a nonprofit in Lebanon, and she will be transitioning from that position next month to pursue anti-porn/human trafficking work.

“I’m so grateful for Liberty,” Geer said. “The professors are so invested in my career, in my life, and they go out of their way to connect me with people and networking. It’s been so awesome.”

“At Liberty University, one of the greatest privileges for faculty is the ability to build a legacy, nurturing the next generation of leaders with the knowledge and experiences God has allowed us to gain,” Huber added. “Katie exemplifies what it means to take that wisdom and forge it into impactful action, leaving a mark that will benefit countless lives.”