Tia Cavender

Tia A. Cavender is a dynamic and results-driven executive with over 24 years of experience in strategic grants planning, capital funding, and public-private partnerships. As the CEO and Founder of Dig Deep Research, LLC, she has built a nationally recognized consulting firm that helps municipalities, utilities, and public-sector organizations secure funding for critical infrastructure projects. Under her leadership, Dig Deep has secured over $49 million in competitive grants and low-interest financing, ensuring communities have access to sustainable resources for water, wastewater, parks, and public works improvements.

With a strong background in qualitative and quantitative data analysis, Tia specializes in helping organizations develop long-term financial strategies that align with their goals while maximizing external funding opportunities. She has successfully worked with city councils, mayors, public works directors, and finance officials to secure funding for essential infrastructure, ensuring financial stability and strategic growth for local governments. Her expertise extends to forging partnerships between municipalities and funding agencies, helping clients navigate complex grant application processes, and advocating for their projects at the state and federal levels.

Tia founded Dig Deep Research in 2010 (formerly Chase Park Grants) to address the increasing need for municipalities and utilities to secure reliable funding for capital improvement projects. Since its inception, Dig Deep has helped cities across the U.S. develop strategic grant plans, build relationships with funding agencies, and secure vital financial resources. The firm’s successes include:

Prior to founding Dig Deep, Tia gained extensive experience in grants management, program evaluation, and public sector funding strategies. She served as:

Beyond her consulting work, Tia is an active leader in municipal governance, public policy, and infrastructure finance. She is a member of the Colorado Municipal League, the City & County Managers Association of Colorado, and the American Water Works Association. She previously held Certified Grant Professional (GPC) status from 2007-2013, demonstrating her expertise in securing and managing grants for public sector organizations.

Her passion for community engagement is evident through her volunteer work and board leadership roles, including:

Tia holds two Master’s degrees from the University of Colorado: one in Industrial/Organizational Psychology (2004) and another in Clinical Psychology (2000). She also earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology (1998) from the same institution. Her academic background, combined with decades of hands-on experience, has shaped her ability to analyze complex funding landscapes, create strategic financial roadmaps, and drive measurable results for her clients.

–Capital Planning & Infrastructure Finance
–Grants Strategy & Public Funding
–Municipal & Utility Finance
–Public-Private Partnerships
–Government Relations & Policy Advocacy
–Data-Driven Decision-Making

Tia continues to be a sought-after advisor, speaker, and strategist for municipalities and public agencies looking to navigate the evolving landscape of public sector funding. Her leadership at Dig Deep Research has transformed the way cities and utilities approach financial sustainability, ensuring that vital community projects receive the funding they need to thrive.