Grant Writer & CSS Facilitator

I’m Sarah Jessie Tucker, founder of SJT Writing, a trauma-aware grant writing and storytelling service grounded in empathy, truth-telling, and purpose. I am the 7th generation of a complex lineage from St. Philips, Newfoundland and Toronto, with settler roots tracing back to England, Ireland, and Scotland. I was born Treaty No. 13 People and grew up in Scarborough. I carry with me the stories of my ancestors, the grief of untold histories, and the hope of what can be healed through storytelling and care.

Before launching SJT Writing, I spent nearly a decade as a law clerk in personal injury litigation, working for senior lawyers in Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. That experience sharpened my ability to navigate systems, think critically, and perform under pressure. However, I also witnessed firsthand how institutions often overlook the human stories behind the paperwork. I knew I needed a different path rooted in healing, connection, and creative expression.

I lived in Western Canada for 13 years, including four transformative years in the rural community of Gleichen, Alberta. During this time, I worked as a municipal grant writer, volunteered with a local arts organization, and deepened my creative practice through the Writer’s Studio at Simon Fraser University. My work was further shaped by the teachings of Elaine Alec’s Cultivating Safe Spaces framework, which influences how I approach team dynamics, storytelling, and healing. I was part of the founding cohort of facilitators trained and certified to facilitate Cultivating Safe Spaces workshops.

In 2021, I founded SJT Writing to help others secure funding for the work that matters most. Today, I specialize in supporting artists, creatives, nonprofits, and social impact organizations in accessing grants, telling their stories, and building sustainable futures. My approach is trauma-aware, decolonial, and rooted in real-world experience.

Whether you're envisioning a new project or navigating intricate funding systems, I’m here to help you progress with strategy, care, and clarity.

Humaness
As a trauma survivor, I recognize the emotional weight of untold stories. As a trauma-informed grant writer, I listen with an understanding of self while respecting the lived experiences of those I serve.

Collaboration and Empowerment
Working in partnership, we focus on amplifying your voice and supporting the expression of untold stories by ensuring the writing process feels supportive and comfortable.

Reconciliation and Inclusion
We are on Indigenous land, and as uninvited guests, we take a decolonial approach using the Cultivating Safe Spaces framework. As lifelong learners, we welcome the gift of correction. Everyone’s perspective matters. 

Patience and Discipline
We are patient with ourselves and the process. We are disciplined listeners, and discipline to process is equally as important.