Colorado, US, 19th September 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, After a distinguished 21-year military career, Baz Nixon has marked his fifth year in the nonprofit sector with the continued growth of his grant consulting firm, Blue Sky Grant Services, LLC. What began as a post-retirement pivot has become a mission-driven enterprise that has already secured more than $11 million in grant funding for nonprofits across the country.
For Nixon, the milestone is more than just a business anniversary. It represents a personal journey of service beyond the uniform—one that has carried him from humanitarian relief missions in war zones to empowering nonprofits that provide life-changing programs for veterans and marginalized communities.
A Veteran’s Transition to Civilian Service
When Baz Nixon retired from the U.S. Air Force as a field-grade logistics officer, he had already dedicated2 decades to complex operations around the globe. From organizing movement, storage, and tracking military supplies and people, Baz’s most meaningful operations were organizing and delivering humanitarian airdrops of food and supplies during the Afghanistan War and coordinating international relief after the devastating Sumatra earthquake. Baz Nixon’s work was rooted in logistics, leadership, and compassion.
“Service doesn’t stop when you hang up the uniform,” Nixon said. “I knew I wanted my second career to focus on helping people, and the nonprofit sector became the perfect place to continue that mission.”
Nixon’s transition into nonprofit work was deliberate. He pursued multiple graduate degrees—including a Master of Public Administration and certifications in nonprofit management and grant writing—to ensure he had both the academic foundation and practical skills to succeed. That preparation led him to establish Blue Sky Grant Services, where he now applies his military precision and strategic thinking to the complex world of grants.
Blue Sky Grant Services: A Mission in Action
Since its founding, Blue Sky Grant Services has become a trusted partner for nonprofits seeking to secure sustainable funding. Nixon’s firm helps organizations identify opportunities, craft compelling proposals, and manage compliance with confidence.
To date, Nixon has developed more than 360 proposals valued at over $25 million, with a win record of $12 million awarded. His work has supported initiatives ranging from employment readiness and reentry services for justice-involved individuals to programs focused on health, wellness, and community resilience for veterans, and at-risk youth
Several of his current clients focus specifically on veterans—a group close to his heart. One organization provides equine-assisted therapy for veterans and at-risk youth who are coping with trauma and mental health challenges. Another works with justice-involved veterans, helping incarcerated individuals mentor those still serving in uniform to reduce recidivism and prevent suicide. A third empowers veterans through art, offering creative expression as a path toward healing.
“These organizations are doing extraordinary work,” Nixon explained. “My role is to make sure they have the resources to continue serving veterans who deserve support after giving so much themselves.”
The Importance of Trauma-Informed Care
Nixon’s advocacy extends beyond funding. During his time as a nonprofit leader, he co-led a Trauma Informed Approach Committee, where he championed workplace practices that recognize the toll of secondary trauma on employees. He spearheaded the creation of decompression spaces, peer wellness groups, and training sessions designed to support nonprofit staff as they navigated emotionally demanding roles.
“Nonprofits often focus on the trauma their clients face, but staff members carry that weight too,” Nixon noted. “If we don’t take care of the people delivering services, burnout becomes inevitable. Trauma-informed care is as essential for employees as it is for program participants.”
Certified in Mental Health First Aid and trained in motivational interviewing, Nixon has positioned himself as a thought leader on integrating wellness into nonprofit culture. His perspective underscores his holistic approach: funding, strategy, and staff well-being all play vital roles in sustainable impact.
Bridging Academia and Practice
Education remains another thread running through Nixon’s career. With three master’s degrees—which include advanced studies in organizational management, counseling, and public administration—he blends scholarly insight with practical experience. His time as an adjunct instructor at the U.S. Air Force Academy and Embry-Riddle University sharpened his ability to mentor future leaders, and today he continues that role as a board advisor and thought leader for the School of Public Service at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.
“I see education as empowerment,” Nixon said. “Whether I’m teaching in a classroom, guiding a nonprofit through a complex grant process, or mentoring young professionals, the goal is always the same: to help people find self-sufficiency, purpose, and autonomy.”
A Career Built on Service and Adaptability
The arc of Nixon’s career tells a story of adaptability. In uniform, he mastered logistics and led large teams through both combat operations and humanitarian relief. In the nonprofit sector, he has brought that same discipline and innovation to fundraising and development. Along the way, he has become a trusted advocate for organizations that support the most vulnerable.
Colleagues describe him as a rare leader who balances strategic thinking with deep empathy. “Baz has the unique ability to make systems work better while never losing sight of the people those systems are meant to serve,” said a longtime nonprofit partner. “He’s a problem-solver, but also a listener and motivator.”
For Baz Nixon, these qualities trace back to his mission statement: to help people gain autonomy, self-sufficiency, purpose, and creativity. Whether through delivering humanitarian aid across continents or securing millions in grant funding for nonprofits, he has remained true to that purpose.
Looking Ahead
As Blue Sky Grant Services enters its next chapter, Nixon shows no sign of slowing down. He plans to expand the firm’s reach, continue supporting veteran-focused programs, and advocate for greater adoption of trauma-informed practices in the nonprofit world.
“Five years is an important milestone, but I see it as just the beginning,” Nixon reflected. “The needs in our communities are growing, and nonprofits can’t do this work without the right resources. My job is to make sure nonprofits have the support to keep making a difference.”
In many ways, Nixon’s second career mirrors his first: mission-driven, people-focused, and dedicated to service. From the skies of Afghanistan to the classrooms of Colorado and the boardrooms of nonprofits, Baz Nixon’s journey is proof that service doesn’t end with retirement—it simply evolves.
For more information, please feel free to visit https://www.blueskygrantservices.com/
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No State Today USA journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
