
Lives Chicago - New Orleans
Writes Everywhere
Writer. TEDx speaker. Grant Specialist. I help individuals and organizations tell compelling stories—through grant proposals, personal memoirs, and travel narratives—that resonate and inspire action.
At age 55, I solo hiked 150 miles on the Camino de Santiago, where I spent a night trapped in a brothel, liberated a 17th century ghost, and got over my fear of bridges. Read more of my adventures in Breakfast with Alligators: Tales of Traveling After 50.
My Work
Grant Specialist
With 20+ years experience in nonprofit management and fundraising, I have helped nonprofits and VSBs secure millions for food and housing security, community health, education, youth leadership, environmental recovery and restoration, food systems and urban farming, economic development and more. Member of the national Grant Professionals Association. Contact me for a free consultation.
Storytelling and Life Design for Women 50+
Society expects women over 50 to fade into the background. But our lived experience isn't a sunset—it's our launchpad. I help women reclaim this turning point through guided memoir-writing and strategic life design. Make this chapter of your life the best one yet. Visit Project On Purpose for more information, or contact me for a free consultation.
Travel Writing
Did you know that trees "talk" to each other? In Costa Rica, I learned how to eavesdrop on their leafy conversations. Follow my blog for life on the road, exploring cuisines and craft beers, and rediscovering the spirituality in nature. 22 countries and 42 states (so far). Hire me to write a story for your publication or speak to your group. And I just love to visit podcasts and share my travel hacks.

Secrets of Aging Adventurously
Click here to watch my TEDx, Secrets of Aging Adventurously.
BOOK REVIEWS
Other publishing credits include: Thrive Global, P.S. I Love You, Woman’s Day, Fit Pregnancy, Chicago Tribune, Mothering Magazine, Human Parts, ZORA, American Baby, the London Reader, PopSugar,
Mamamia, Mamalode, and many other digital and print publications.
Scott Muska
Kay Bolden is the kind of writer who really knows how to live. This collection shows her at her peak, and when you're done, rest assured you'll want to emulate her ways, which is to say get out there and do some amazing things with your own one precious life.
Tre L Loadholt
Breakfast with Alligators is Kay Bolden doing what she does best: sharing incredible stories that leave us both breathless and nostalgic.
Jim Latham
Kay’s quick, deft portraits of the places she’s been and the people she’s met, including herself, on her travels will have you wanting to meet them all and immediately launch an unplanned road trip to parts unknown.
Ping me
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