Cathy Mullins

Grant Writer

I love that we are a group of truly dedicated people who believe in the work that we do. And it doesn't hurt that every single person in this work family is someone that you want to hang out with.

About Cathy Mullins

Cathy Mullins serves as Grant Writer at Future Plans, where she plays a critical role in securing the funding that makes the organization’s mission possible. With more than 30 years of experience in grant writing and development, Cathy focuses on identifying, shaping, and securing resources that fund new programming and sustain the work of ending poverty one person at a time.

Cathy’s daytoday work is intentionally wideranging. She researches funding opportunities, collaborates with partners and internal teams, and immerses herself in the details of Future Plans’ programs so she can accurately and compellingly communicate their impact. As a grant writer, she considers herself a storyteller first, bringing to life the needs, strengths, and realities of the communities Future Plans serves, and translating those stories into proposals that resonate with funders and decisionmakers.

Her career in grant writing began unexpectedly while working as a program director at Shawnee State University, where she was encouraged to apply for a grant, and succeeded. That first experience led to a long career spanning higher education, healthcare, and community organizations. Cathy later supported grant development at a hospital and other community based settings before joining Future Plans. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Ohio University and an MBA, a combination that uniquely equips her to blend communication, strategy, and fiscal responsibility in her work.

Cathy’s commitment to underresourced and rural communities is deeply personal. She lives in Scioto County and has spent much of her life in southern Ohio, witnessing firsthand the disparities that exist across neighborhoods, hills, and counties. Her work is guided by the belief that organizations must be able to secure resources in order to truly serve people, and that helping communities thrive begins with ensuring they have what they need to survive and grow.

At Future Plans, Cathy collaborates with schools, workforce partners, training providers, and community organizations, often supporting partners who are new to grant writing themselves. She is especially energized by opportunities that align funding with innovation, workforce development, and emerging needs across Appalachia.

Outside of work, Cathy enjoys traveling, attending concerts and festivals, writing for pleasure, and staying active. She is a devoted grandmother and considers that role one of the most meaningful in her life. Whether spending time with her grandchildren, listening to music across genres, or working out in her home gym, Cathy brings the same curiosity, energy, and heart to her personal life as she does to her work.