Effingham, IL – August 24, 2026 – The Effingham County Chamber welcomes The Van Hyfte Grant Lab, a strategic grant writing and funding consulting firm helping nonprofits, municipalities, small businesses and community organizations identify and pursue funding opportunities to support their goals.
Founded by Nicole Van Hyfte in May 2025, The Van Hyfte Grant Lab was created to make the grant process more accessible and less overwhelming for organizations that may not have the time, staff or expertise to navigate funding opportunities on their own. Based in Illinois and serving clients nationwide, the firm has grown from a solo grant-writing practice into a full-service funding strategy partner.
The Van Hyfte Grant Lab takes an approach that extends beyond writing grant applications. Services include grant research, readiness assessments, funding strategy, application development and review, budget development, program design, funder communication, grant management and reporting, and ongoing grant support.
For organizations that know they need funding but aren’t sure where to begin, The Van Hyfte Grant Lab offers customized Grant Research Reports that identify opportunities based on an organization’s specific mission, goals, timeline, and capacity. For small businesses and entrepreneurs, the Lab also helps evaluate grant eligibility, identify realistic funding opportunities, and determine when grants may fit into a broader funding strategy. The firm also offers individual grant-writing services and ongoing partnerships for organizations seeking long-term funding support.
Van Hyfte brings more than a decade of experience in community and economic development, with experience securing funding for small businesses, arts organizations and local initiatives. She also provides workshops and training for businesses, nonprofits and community organizations on topics including grant writing, grant readiness, funding strategy, nonprofit fundraising and funding opportunities for startups and small businesses.
The firm’s services are designed to meet organizations at different stages, whether they are exploring funding for the first time, preparing a specific opportunity or looking to build a more sustainable long-term funding strategy.
In addition to client services, The Van Hyfte Grant Lab created the Granting Hope Fund to help provide subsidized or free grant writing and research services to nonprofits and small businesses that may otherwise lack the resources to pursue funding opportunities.
The Effingham County Chamber encourages businesses, nonprofits, schools, municipalities and community organizations throughout the region to learn more about the resources available through The Van Hyfte Grant Lab and consider how grant funding could support future projects, programs and growth.
Not sure whether grant funding is a fit? The Van Hyfte Grant Lab also offers a free, no-obligation discovery call to discuss an organization’s goals, funding needs and potential next steps.
To learn more about The Van Hyfte Grant Lab, explore available services or schedule a consultation, visit TheVHGrantLab.com.
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Pictured (left to right): Chamber Membership Director Becky Brown, Founder Nicole Van Hyfte and Chamber President & CEO Katie Koester