Public Health Practice Spotlight: Caitlin Gojuk, MPH ’26 (Social and Behavioral Sciences; Maternal and Child Health Promotion Track)

Ivy Child International. Grant Writing and Community Engagement Intern.

Concord, Massachusetts.

Professor of Public Health.

Yale School of Public Health Summer Internship Awards.

My responsibilities included a combination of grant development, research, program support, and community engagement. I researched new funding opportunities using the Instrumental grant platform and prepared both Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) and full grant applications, ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. These included general operating support requests as well as program-specific proposals.

I also contributed to collaborative projects with community partners. I supported a capital funding project with the Worcester Boys & Girls Club and collaborated with Jardin de los Niños, a nonprofit in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on two new initiatives: one fostering mental wellness among BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth in the U.S.–Mexico border region, and another proposing a community health needs assessment for families experiencing housing instability.

I also completed an AI-focused grant training course and created a custom ChatGPT tool to streamline Ivy Child’s grant application process by auto filling basic organizational information and responses to frequently asked questions. I also attended Massachusetts community health webinars to strengthen my understanding of statewide priorities and trends.

I supported community engagement by attending and representing Ivy Child at events such as Concord’s Second Annual India Day and the Boys & Girls Club Graduation and Alumni Celebration. These experiences allowed me to observe how Ivy Child builds connections across diverse communities and align my grant writing with lived community needs.

I gained a strong foundation in grant writing and nonprofit development, including the ability to research opportunities, craft compelling proposals, and align organizational priorities with funder requirements. I also learned how to apply public health skills, such as interpreting data and understanding social determinants of health, to support real-world community programs.

Beyond technical skills, I took away a deeper appreciation for the role of community engagement in public health practice, seeing how cultural events and partnerships strengthen belonging and wellness. This internship also expanded my professional network in Massachusetts and gave me confidence that I am well prepared to pursue roles in public health nonprofits during my gap years before my PhD.

The most rewarding aspect of my internship was knowing that the grant proposals I worked on had the potential to directly benefit children and families in need. Even though most of the grants I submitted will not be decided for some time, I know that if funded, these projects will provide opportunities, resources, and a greater sense of belonging for children who may otherwise feel unseen. Working on partnership grants with Jardín de los Niños was especially meaningful, as many of the children and families face complex challenges such as housing instability, immigration-related stress, language barriers, and limited access to mental health resources. Being able to contribute to proposals that could help secure funding for programs designed to foster resilience, wellness, and safety for these children was deeply rewarding.

The most challenging aspect was navigating the inherent uncertainty of grant writing. Even when I wrote strong, well-researched proposals, the competitive nature of funding meant that many applications would likely be rejected, as only 10% to 30% of proposals are typically funded nationally. It was difficult at times to put so much effort into applications while knowing the outcome was uncertain.

I was also surprised by how time-consuming creating a grant budget can be. On the surface, it seems simple—just plug numbers into Excel—but the process involves extensive research and repeated adjustments. You must account for multiple funding sources, calculate costs for equipment and program materials, and continually refine estimates until the budget is accurate and aligned with program goals. While it is not inherently difficult, the process is tedious and requires patience, attention to detail, and careful planning to get it right.

Yale School of Public Health has prepared me for this experience by providing a strong foundation in public health principles, research, and applied skills. Coursework in epidemiology, biostatistics, and community health equipped me to interpret population-level data and communicate community needs effectively, which was critical for grant writing. Training in program planning and understanding social determinants of health helped me align Ivy Child International’s initiatives with the needs of the children and families it serves. Additionally, YSPH emphasized professional development, collaboration, and engagement with diverse communities, which prepared me to work effectively with partner organizations such as the Worcester Boys & Girls Club and Jardin de los Niños while approaching community engagement with cultural competency.

It’s an excellent way to gain skills that are highly valuable across many fields. Grant writing teaches you how to research funding opportunities, craft persuasive narratives, and present data effectively, while also strengthening broader skills such as project planning, communication, and strategic thinking. Even if a student does not plan to become a grant writer, these skills are useful in nonprofit management, program evaluation, policy work, community outreach, and other public health or organizational roles. The experience also provides exposure to community engagement and collaboration, which are essential for understanding the real-world impact of public health initiatives. Overall, this type of internship prepares students for a wide range of professional opportunities, making students more competitive applicants as they move onto the next stage of their careers.