About

ABOUT

GOVERNMENTAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES

Governmental Assistance Services is a grant writing and municipal administration consulting firm based in Lawrence. We've been serving northeast Kansas communities since 1986 and have consistently helped our valued city and county partners obtain much-needed grant funding for hundreds of projects.

 

Our clients include cities, counties, rural water districts, fire districts, school districts, internet service providers, economic development organizations, small businesses, and community foundations. Our expertise is with the Community Development Block Program offered through the Kansas Department of Commerce.

We develop personal relationships with our valued city and county partners.

MEET OUR TEAM

Our team is dedicated to delivering excellence in grant writing services. At GAS, we are committed to understanding our clients' needs, cultivating strong relationships, and going above and beyond to help them secure the funding they need to drive positive change.

Brett Waggoner

Grant Specialist / Partner
  • Read About Brett

    Brett joined GAS in 2019 and currently serves as a project manager and grant specialist at GAS where one of his main responsibilities is consulting with clients to explore funding opportunities and procuring the grant and loan dollars necessary to fully develop their projects.


    With more than 23 years of experience, Brett has managed a variety of infrastructure projects, as well as led project teams that successfully secured funding for a wide range of uses across the full spectrum of local government and private industry projects. His experience in the regulatory


    environment provides a deep knowledge base that helps clients understand regulations, how to implement programs, track project spending, and meet reporting requirements.


    Brett is a native of Plainville, Kansas and attended Fort Hays State University before graduating with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Kansas. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling and attending live sporting events across the country with his wife and son.

D. Garrett Nordstrom

Grant Specialist / Partner

  • Read About Garrett

    Garrett joined GAS in 2003. His commitment to serving client needs is demonstrated by the longstanding business relationships that Governmental Assistance Service has maintained for 37+ years. He manages projects from conception to close-out and helps clients identify and pursue the right funding opportunities for their needs.


    Garrett is a native of St. Joseph, Missouri, and attended Missouri Western State University, graduating with B.S. in Political Science and American History. He also attended the Latin American Spanish Academy in Antigua, Guatemala. In addition, he has served on the Board of Directors of the Midwest Music Foundation and The ArtsKC Advisory Council and is the founder of the Temple Foundation.

Brett Waggoner

Grant Specialist / Partner
  • Read About Brett

    Brett joined GAS in 2019 and currently serves as a project manager and grant specialist at GAS where one of his main responsibilities is consulting with clients to explore funding opportunities and procuring the grant and loan dollars necessary to fully develop their projects.


    With more than 23 years of experience, Brett has managed a variety of infrastructure projects, as well as led project teams that successfully secured funding for a wide range of uses across the full spectrum of local government and private industry projects. His experience in the regulatory environment provides a deep knowledge base that helps clients understand regulations, how to implement programs, track project spending, and meet reporting requirements.


    Brett is a native of Plainville, Kansas and attended Fort Hays State University before graduating with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Kansas. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling and attending live sporting events across the country with his wife and son.

D. Garrett Nordstrom

Grant Specialist / Partner

  • Read About Garrett

    Garrett joined GAS in 2003. His commitment to serving client needs is demonstrated by the longstanding business relationships that Governmental Assistance Service has maintained for 37+ years. He manages projects from conception to close-out and helps clients identify and pursue the right funding opportunities for their needs.


    Garrett is a native of St. Joseph, Missouri, and attended Missouri Western State University, graduating with B.S. in Political Science and American History. He also attended the Latin American Spanish Academy in Antigua, Guatemala. In addition, he has served on the Board of Directors of the Midwest Music Foundation and The ArtsKC Advisory Council and is the founder of the Temple Foundation.

Sara Waggoner

Grant Specialist / Partner
  • Read About Sara

    Sara joined Governmental Assistance Services in 2022 after a 20+ year career in the dental field as a treatment coordinator. Her focus within the company is on labor standards, wage compliance and environmental reviews.


    Sara grew up in rural Northwest Kansas and is a graduate of North Central Kansas Technical College and Fort Hays State University with a focus on Business and Computer Technology.


    She enjoys reading, especially historical fiction, and going to sporting events and traveling with her husband and son. Together they are trying to visit all the Major League Baseball stadiums.

Maria Cuevas

Grant Specialist / Partner

  • Read About Maria

    Maria joined Governmental Assistance Services in 2010. Her areas of expertise within the company are on project financial management, grant compliance, and environmental reviews.


    Maria grew up in Topeka and is a graduate of the University of Kansas with a B.A. in Communication Studies.


    Maria keeps busy with yoga instruction at local studios and recording albums and performing with her sister and husband across the Midwest in the band they founded together, Maria the Mexican.

Sara Waggoner

Grant Specialist / Partner
  • Read About Sara

    Sara joined Governmental Assistance Services in 2022 after a 20+ year career in the dental field as a treatment coordinator. Her focus within the company is on labor standards, wage compliance and environmental reviews.


    Sara grew up in rural Northwest Kansas and is a graduate of North Central Kansas Technical College and Fort Hays State University with a focus on Business and Computer Technology.


    She enjoys reading, especially historical fiction, and going to sporting events and traveling with her husband and son. Together they are trying to visit all the Major League Baseball stadiums.

Maria Cuevas

Grant Specialist / Partner

  • Read About Maria

    Maria joined Governmental Assistance Services in 2010. Her areas of expertise within the company are on project financial management, grant compliance, and environmental reviews.


    Maria grew up in Topeka and is a graduate of the University of Kansas with a B.A. in Communication Studies.


    Maria keeps busy with yoga instruction at local studios and recording albums and performing with her sister and husband across the Midwest in the band they founded together, Maria the Mexican.

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