Deborah Niksch has over 30 years of experience in grant writing, administration, strategic planning, systems analysis, teaching, and nonprofit management. She holds a Master's in Public Administration and Non-Profit Management from Indiana University Northwest, with additional education from Purdue University Calumet and Indiana State University. Niksch has worked as an independent consultant for several nonprofit organizations, providing grant writing, research, administration, evaluation, and curriculum development. She has received over $200,000 in grants for her clients.

1. Deborah A. Niksch
219-628-4374
debbieniksch@aol.com
OBJECTIVE:
Work on projects that provide opportunities for children through adults. Skills include grant writing,
administration, grant evaluation, strategic planning, teaching computer skills, early childhood, piano
lessons, preparing curriculums, media and marketing presentations, budgeting, fundraising, banquet
planning, systems analysis and design, tutoring, consulting, videographer, etc.
EDUCATION:
Indiana University Northwest 2009 – 2013 Gary, IN
2009 – 2010 Graduate Certificate– Non-Profit Management
2010 - 2013 MPA in Public Administration and
Non-Profit Management
Purdue University Calumet 1980 – 2006 Hammond, IN
2000 – 2006 Early Childhood Development with a minor in Psychology –
7 classes away from a Bachelor’s Degree
2005 - 2006 Certificate – Entrepreneur Program
2004 Certificate - Leadership Class
1984 - 1987 – BS – Systems Analysis and Design
1980 - 1981 – AAS – Computer Technology
The Grant Center Institute 2005 Certificate in Grant Writing Class
Collaborative Institutional Social and Behavioral Responsible Conduct
Training Initiative (Citi) 2013 of Research Curriculum
Indiana State University 1978 - 1979 Terre Haute,IN - majored in Accounting
Portage High School 1974 – 1978 Portage,IN - High School Diploma
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Self-Employed – December, 2015 to current:
 Working as an independent consultant for grant writing, research,administration, and evaluation, strategic
planning, systems analysis and design, piano lessons, pianist, piano accompanist, tutoring, lesson
planning and evaluation, computer and pre-school teacher, and event planning.
McShane, Hunter, & Associates,LLC – October, 2012 to November, 2015.
 Working as an independent consultant for grant writing, strategic planning, systems analysis and design,
and grant administration. Jim McShane II, MPA,one of the founders, was previously the CEO of South
Shore GRANTS Center. McShane,Hunter, & Associated closed their Business in November, 2015 to
pursue other initiatives.
Urban League of Northwest Indiana, Inc. – October, 2014 to current

2.  Working as an independent consultant for grant writing, evaluation, curriculum preparation, field trip
preparation, chaperoning field trips, and teaching in their Digital Literacy /College Readiness program in
four Gary High Schools.
International Community Alliance – October,2011 to current
 Working as an independent consultant for grant writing, strategic planning, evaluation, curriculum
preparation and teaching in their Tutoring Enrichment program in East Chicago, Indiana.
South Shore GRANTS Center March, 2010 – September, 2012
 Worked as an independent consultant for grant writing starting in March,2010. Completed work-study
internship from August, 2010 to November, 2010, working on grant research and consulting. Became a
contract grant writer starting in November, 2010 to September, 2012. The non-profit decided to close
their organization. .
Carnegie Arts – August, 2012 – November, 2012
 At East Chicago Central High School, taught an after-schooltheatre class and accompanied the students
on the piano while they learned eight general chorus songs from “Miss Saigon”. I wrote the syllabus and
lesson plans for the theatre portion of the class, according to Indiana State standards for Theatre,Music,
and Art. The East Chicago Central High School students were able to sing along with Highland High
School students, Griffith High School students, the main characters of the show, and the Southlake
Orchestra on November 2nd
, 2012 to a packed audience of over 1,000 people. There were over 100
performers on stage. It was an amazing experience!
 At St. Stansilaus School in East Chicago, Indiana, I taught an after-schoolmusic and theatre class,for 63
children in grades third through fifth, for ten weeks. I wrote the lesson plans and worked with the
children. It was very successfuland the students looked forward to it every week.
Inland Steel (now Arcelor Mittal Steel) 1981 – 1999
 1984 – 1999 - Moved to the Computer Programming Department for all of the mills. Worked on rail car
systems, purchasing, inventory control, quality control, accounting, payroll, maintained computer
systems, etc. Performed all aspects of system project developments including scoped out the business and
data flows of each department, wrote business plans, programmed new or modified computer systems,
developed test plans, tested the new or modified computer systems,wrote user manuals, trained the users,
wrote installation plans, installed severalnew or modified computer systems,and maintained the new or
modified systems. Project Manager for severalprojects with 20 team members or less. Used computer
languages of COBOL,FOCUS, SAS, DB2, POWERBUILDER,etc. In order to excel in the Systems
Analyst job, communication, documentation, and inter-personal skills were very important.
 1981 – 1984 - Computer Programmer for the Accounting Department – Worked in the 10, 12, and 14”
Mills and eventually moved to the CentralComputer Programming area for all of the Accounting
Departments. Worked on payroll, inventory control, and general accounting computer systems. Used 4th
generation languages of FOCUS and SAS.
 During my years at Inland Steel, we constantly took classes in Teambuilding, Mentoring, Diversity, etc.
The 300+ members of our department were very strong and pro-active in working as a team. It was a
great experience! I left this position to start my own company called Broad Horizons, Inc.
Broad Horizons, Inc. and Busy Bee’s Pre-School– 1996 – 2008
 2000 - 2008 – Founded a performing arts day care/learning center called Broad Horizons, Inc. in
Griffith, IN. We offered pre-school, day care,piano lessons, tutoring, computer classes, all occasion
parties, before and after school, dance classes,etc. As time progressed, we realized that several
families could not afford our prices and needed help in obtaining funding to continue to use our

3. services. Therefore,in 2006, we became not for profit. I served as Director, Piano Teacher,Computer
Teacher,Tutor, Marketer,Videographer, Budget Meeting Coordinator, and Hired and Trained the Staff,
and developed all of the other positions and programs.
 In 2007, I began writing grants for Broad Horizons. My goal is to become a grant writer for multiple
not-for-profit organizations that work to enhance our community. I feelthat my experience as a
systems analyst and my work at Broad Horizons will allow me to excel in the grant writing field. The
documentation and research needed is very similar and will allow me to work in several different fields
and venues.
 In 2007, I bought a high definition video camera and began editing videos for the grants and
applications that were needed at Broad Horizons. I’ve used ROXIO and NERO for the video editing
capacities. I’ve learned how to present the videos in Chapter form so that the viewer can click on key
points very quickly. I’ve also videotaped performances for Emerson, West Side, the Little People’s
Theater,and Michigan City High School.
 In 2006, I began selling the pictures that we took to our pre-school parents.
 1996 – 2008 – I started a pre-school called Busy Bee’s Pre-Schoolin Portage,IN. It was a Christian
based pre-school for children ages 3 – 5. We taught them bible stories, Kindergarten readiness lessons,
social skills, music, and took them to field trips to the apple orchard, pumpkin patch, ballets, etc. The
children graduated with cap and gowns at the end of the year. I served as Director and owner.
Volunteer Work
 2013 - Current - Member of the National Society of Leadership and Success.
 2011 – 2014 - Advisory Board member for the Urban League in Gary, Indiana that supports Lake, Porter,
and La Porte counties.
 2011 – 2012 –Member of the South Shore Grants Professional Association.
 2004 – Current - Volunteered at Emerson School for the Visual and Performing Arts. Have worked with
the dance,vocal, band, orchestra,art, and drama departments with fundraising, chaperoning children,
driving children, working on field trips, washing and sewing costumes, budgeting, videoing their
performances,coordinating award banquets and catering for continuation, playing the piano,
accompanying vocal and band students for the ISSMA contest, etc. This work is very rewarding to me
and many of the students there call me “Mom”.
 2007 – Current – Corresponding Secretary of the Friends of Emerson board. Previously served as Vice
President.
 2002 – 2003 – President – Lake County Music Teacher’s Association.
 2001 – 2004 – Treasurer – Cub Scouts Pack 456 – Ogden Dunes,IN
Grants Received
2004, 2005, 2006 – Sheila Fortune Foundation dance grant - $2,500, $5,000, $5,000
2006 - 1
st
Source Foundation grant - $15,000
2009 – John Knight and Barden Foundations - Close-up grant to take 16 Gary, IN students to Washington
DC for the Inauguration - $15,000.

4. 2011 – Dean and Barbara White Foundation – Early childhood development grant - $15,000.
2012 – Indiana Access to Recovery approval for my client in Parenting Education and Community
Support.
2013 – Received the Legacy Foundation’s Transform Lake County grant for $14,783 for my client.
2013 – Received 31 hard drives from the Net Literacy Program for my client – Worth approximately
$31,000.
2013 – Received $1,000 Walmart grant and the $1,200 Legacy Foundation Capacity Building Grant for
my client.
2014 – Received $4,785 Indiana Arts Commission grant for a board that I serve on.
2014 – Received $61,685 and $25,000 collaboration grants for my client, a local college, and WorkOne.
2014 – Received $25,000 grant for a board that I serve on.
2015 – The Urban League received a $20,000 grant, a $10,000 grant, and a $15,000 grant this year that I
wrote.
2015 – Received over $4,600 from the Indiana Arts Commission for a board that I serve on.
REFERENCES:
Stephanie Dunn Dr. Adrian Richie, Jr.
Radio Station Program Director Principal
5660 Buttercup Ave. Wirt-Emerson Visual and Performing Arts Academy
Portage, IN 46368 210 N. Grand Blvd.
219-973-3873 Gary, IN 46403
Dr. Vanessa Allen Steve Sutton
CEO and President Retired Arts Director and Teacher
Urban League of Northwest Indiana, Inc. Wirt-Emerson Visual and Performing Arts Academy
3101 Broadway 8545 Pine Avenue
Gary, Indiana 46409 Gary, IN 46403
Merrillville, IN 46410 219-730-1843
219-887-9621