Innovative Grant Services

Innovative Grant Services, LLC was established in 2010 by Kris Vrooman who brings 20 years of non-profit, for-profit, and government agency grant and contract experience to the table. IGS has secured for its clients more than $70 million in grants, loan, and contract awards since its inception. New to the team is Sinclare Fiala who brings organization, systems, and compelling grant writing to support both retained on single-project clients.

We want to help you secure grant funds and make your projects happen! Whether you just need grant searches or a full turn-key approach, Innovative Grant Services can work with you to painlessly fit your unique needs.

Kris Vrooman, Owner & Grant Consultant

Kris Vrooman founded Innovative Grant Services (IGS) in 2010 and enjoys helping people develop their ideas into business plans and grant applications. These are the action plans that have launched great projects.

Prior to IGS, Kris did all things grants for the Hastings YMCA and local pregnancy resource center. Additionally, she worked for a high-growth energy start-up, managing grants from project development to close-out, as well as helping formalize the company structure and launching and directing new revenue generating divisions within the company. Along with two other Nebraska women, Kris formed an alternative protein ag start-up (insects) in 2018, growing the company from a small corner of a garage to weekly sales of more than a half million insects by the time of its sale to an international company. Kris focused on systems, data tracking, and compliance in her role. Today, her main focus is on government grant funding for small businesses, nonprofits, and universities.  When not behind the computer, Kris enjoys a variety of active outdoor activities, volunteering, and reading.

Alison Neujahr PhD, Senior Grant Consultant

Alison Neujahr joined Innovative Grant Services in 2026 after gaining experience in the start-up sector, where she deepened her foundation in research and development. With a background in production livestock, she brings a unique blend of scientific expertise and agricultural insight. 

Alison earned her PhD in Microbial Interactions and Bioinformatics in 2024 through the Complex Biosystems Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her primary research focused on reducing the occurrence of high consequence pathogens in production livestock and genetically engineering bacteria to replace prophylactic use in fed cattle. Her studies have equipped her with deep technical knowledge and a practical understanding of current challenges within animal agriculture.

During her graduate studies, Alison successfully secured the USDA Postdoctoral Fellowship and recieved the Young Scholar Award through the American Society of Animal Science. She has since continued to expand her grant writing skillset, working across a range of competitive government programs such as NSF SBIR and the USDA Value-Added Producer Grant.

Originally from the Appalachian region, Alison now calls Nebraska home, where her family is actively involved in row crop farming. In her free time, she can often be found driving the grain cart during the harvest season or shuffling her tractor loving boys from one farm equipment ride to the next.

Testimonials

“With Innovative Grant Services taking care of our grants, we never missed a deadline, never worried about reports not getting completed, and were successful at securing needed grant funding.” Michael K, Executive Director, Non-Profit

“Kris Vrooman played a key role for many of our programs having been instrumental in securing much needed grant funds.  Kris is a joy to work with and has the ability to communicate with us and other key stakeholders to get the information she needed and make the grant process painless for me.” Jennifer L, Non-Profit Executive Director

"Kris’ involvement on any project always gave me complete comfort and confidence in extending our name to a proposal.  Her thoroughness, timeliness, accuracy, professionalism, and concern for customer service always showed me her willingness to work just as hard for our company’s reputation as she would her own.  And best of all, she is also great to work with."  Scott K, Business Owner

“Innovative Grant Services took care of everything on a tight deadline. All I needed to do was review and sign!” Vern P, Manufacturing Plant CEO