March 23, 2026 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – Andrea Grabow, assistant director of training and technology for the grants and federal resources team within the Arizona Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting, won the 2026 Impact Award, Public Sector from the National Grants Management Association (NGMA). She was nominated for her noteworthy contributions to elevating day-to-day grants management and forging a strong and resilient professional grants community.
In her current role, Grabow oversees statewide grant communications, professional development and technology systems supporting more than $6 billion in federal funds.
Grabow has trained more than 4,000 grants professionals statewide and designed sustainable systems, including communities of practice, multi-format training programs, and tailored communications that have elevated grants management capacity and reduced audit findings. Her latest initiative, the AZ Certified Grant Professional Designation, will further expand statewide expertise and advance the profession.
Before joining the Governor’s Office in 2023, Grabow spent a decade at the Arizona Department of Education, providing coaching, compliance support, and training to local educational agencies. She began her career as an educator, developing curriculum and instructional resources that supported multilingual learners and strengthened classroom practices. Her work is characterized by its clarity, technical depth, and learner-centered approach. She has been recognized in her profession both locally and nationally.
“Andrea Grabow is an effective leader in the grants management profession whose career has significantly strengthened federal grant practices in the state of Arizona,” said Lashon Brown, NGMA President. “Her innovative work has transformed how complex federal requirements are communicated, taught and applied across agencies and organizations. Her accomplishments demonstrate her commitment to elevating the grants management profession and show that she is fully deserving of the 2026 Impact Award.”
The NGMA Impact Award, Public Sector, honors a public official at the federal, state or local level who has made a positive impact on the professional grants management practice. Grabow and the winners in the other NGMA Award categories (Impact Award, Private Sector and Newton Award for Distinguished Service) were recognized at the 2026 Annual Grants Training (AGT) held on March 22-25, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
The National Grants Management Association (NGMA) provides education, tools and resources for grants professionals to support and maintain high levels of grants management competency and to establish standards of excellence for the profession. For more information, visit https://www.ngma.org/.