Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Consultant Nathan Barrack pitches grant-writing, lobbying service to Keystone Central
Loading...
Summary
Nathan Barrack, founder of Total Grant Services, told the Keystone Central finance committee he can deliver tailored grant writing plus state‑level lobbying for $2,000 a month and said the firm typically produces large award returns; board members asked about competition, audits and who manages awarded funds.
Nathan Barrack, who introduced himself as a recently retired superintendent and founder of Total Grant Services, told the Keystone Central School District finance committee on April 28 that his firm offers a combined grant-writing and lobbying service aimed at school districts.
“My name is Nathan Barrack. I am a freshly retired superintendent of schools,” Barrack said, and described a model in which a district pays $2,000 per month for 16–20 hours of dedicated work, delivered on a set day each week. He said the firm assigns one consultant to each district, produces targeted applications and will “network” competitive applications with agency lobbyists at the Pennsylvania state capitol.
Barrack presented the pricing and return examples directly: the standard engagement is a two‑year, $2,000/month contract (about $48,000 total), and he said the firm’s lowest recent return was roughly $250,000. “Traditionally, with our $2,000 a month and 2 year contracts, it’s an investment of $24,000 a year or $48,000 over the course of the 2 year contract we asked for,” Barrack said. He added that the firm does not take a percentage of awards: “If we landed a $1,000,000 grant, you get $1,000,000. There’s not a dime we take out.”
Board members pressed on practical questions. Elizabeth asked whether the firm’s work for roughly 60 districts creates competition when neighboring districts pursue the same grant. Barrack said he separates advocacy across House and Senate representatives to prevent districts from competing for the same slot and that he “networks that individual application, advocate[s] with those particular legislators” to distribute opportunities.
Board members also asked about audits and how awarded grant funds are handled. Barrack described a reporting cycle: the firm uploads quarterly expenditure reports and will work with district business administrators and state analysts if an audit finding appears. He emphasized that grants are paid to the district and not redirected: “If we landed $1,000,000 grant, you get $1,000,000. The only expenditure you have is $24,000 a year.”
Barrack also said that the Intermediate Unit will contribute $300 per district per month for the first six districts that sign up, reducing a district’s direct monthly cost to $1,700 during that two‑year window.
The board did not vote on a contract. Committee members thanked Barrack and said they would discuss the proposal further with administrators before a decision at a future meeting.
