My Logo: Strength & Humility
The Dwennimmen [pronounced: djwin- knee-mann] image in my logo symbolizes a balance of strength and humility. The dwennimmen is an ancient West African Adinkra symbol, used by the Akan people in what is now modern day Ghana and the Cote d'Ivoire.
The dwennimmen symbol depicts the graceful shape of the ram's horns. The ram was regarded by the Akan as a powerful animal with graceful and magnificent horns. Although these horns could be used forcefully for survival, the ram typically opts for gracefulness in its approach to friends and adversaries alike. The strength of a ram depends not so much on the forcefulness of its horns and its sheer physical power, but on the integrity of its heart and the humility in its conduct.
Source: Ananse Shield
The dwennimmen symbol depicts the graceful shape of the ram's horns. The ram was regarded by the Akan as a powerful animal with graceful and magnificent horns. Although these horns could be used forcefully for survival, the ram typically opts for gracefulness in its approach to friends and adversaries alike. The strength of a ram depends not so much on the forcefulness of its horns and its sheer physical power, but on the integrity of its heart and the humility in its conduct.
Source: Ananse Shield
Key Services for Nonprofits and Small Businesses
Development/Fundraising for Nonprofits: Fundraising programs designed to meet your needs, from grant writing and prospecting, to major donor programs and direct mail campaigns.
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Communications for Nonprofits and Small Businesses: Full service communications and support for print and web needs, including skilled graphic design and web development, public relations campaigns, outreach and marketing programs.
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Printing: Full service print brokerage services designed to meet your needs on a project-by-project basis, from large printing projects on a budget to quick turnaround projects that you needed yesterday.
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Communications for Nonprofits and Small Businesses: Full service communications and support for print and web needs, including skilled graphic design and web development, public relations campaigns, outreach and marketing programs.
Read more >
Printing: Full service print brokerage services designed to meet your needs on a project-by-project basis, from large printing projects on a budget to quick turnaround projects that you needed yesterday.
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Project: SourceOne Development Services Brochure
Services: Graphic design for website, business cards and brochure | Printing
Project: Our House Gala Fundraiser - Event Program
Services: Graphic design + Print brokerage | 7"x8" folded, 6 page booklet | 300 printed on 80lb gloss book stock
When you need a marketing person, a grant writer, a graphic designer, a multi-talented professional...
Sometimes you need someone who can do some of just about EVERYTHING. And you need them now, with a smile and commitment to meet your looming deadline. Contact me, and let's get started on your project!
Nonprofit Development and Communications: Helping charities to raise funds is my top client engagement. Grants are often the backbone of a solid fundraising program, but typically, a nonprofit cannot rely on grants alone. Support from individuals and businesses, along with funds raised from events and even some revenue generating activities, usually round out a successful development plan.
It's my goal to help my nonprofit clients get the most "bang for their buck" from their development efforts. That's why I've worked hard to hone a skill set that delivers development and communications expertise, not just solid grant writing. Effective development requires expert writing for various audiences, along with captivating graphic design and marketing for print, web and even mobile communications. No need to hire four consultants--I come to the table with each of these skill sets!
Business Development and Communications: My career began over 15 years ago in corporate communications and marketing; it's through this lens that I approach and execute communications programs. To me, there's no more powerful business tool than effectively communicating your message to your audiences--and doing it often and consistently. Do that well and you will gain new customers, keep existing customers, and attract them using both word of mouth and first person tactics. To harness the power of communication, you must be able bridge a connection between your work and your various audiences, from long-time customers to your newest clients.
Forging Connections: You have to connect with your target audiences in ways suited to their communication needs. For some, it's a motivating email or an informative and easy-to-navigate website; for others, it's a compelling partnership package or a stirring letter (yes, sent by regular mail with a stamp and a handwritten note inside). For everyone, it's true connection and ongoing communication outside of asking for a donation or inviting then to sample a new product.
Let me help you with:
Or, if what you really need is just a great grant writer, you've still come to the right place. In the past two years alone, I've raised more than $1.5 million in grant funding for Washington, DC organizations, including single year foundation grants of $5,000 to $100,000; multi-year foundation grants of over $250,000; government grants totaling more than $600,000; and small foundation grants ranging from $1,500 to $10,000. Click the "About" tab for more information.
No matter the size of your project or organization, I can work with you to realize your goals. To discuss your needs, send me an email.
.
Sometimes you need someone who can do some of just about EVERYTHING. And you need them now, with a smile and commitment to meet your looming deadline. Contact me, and let's get started on your project!
Nonprofit Development and Communications: Helping charities to raise funds is my top client engagement. Grants are often the backbone of a solid fundraising program, but typically, a nonprofit cannot rely on grants alone. Support from individuals and businesses, along with funds raised from events and even some revenue generating activities, usually round out a successful development plan.
It's my goal to help my nonprofit clients get the most "bang for their buck" from their development efforts. That's why I've worked hard to hone a skill set that delivers development and communications expertise, not just solid grant writing. Effective development requires expert writing for various audiences, along with captivating graphic design and marketing for print, web and even mobile communications. No need to hire four consultants--I come to the table with each of these skill sets!
Business Development and Communications: My career began over 15 years ago in corporate communications and marketing; it's through this lens that I approach and execute communications programs. To me, there's no more powerful business tool than effectively communicating your message to your audiences--and doing it often and consistently. Do that well and you will gain new customers, keep existing customers, and attract them using both word of mouth and first person tactics. To harness the power of communication, you must be able bridge a connection between your work and your various audiences, from long-time customers to your newest clients.
Forging Connections: You have to connect with your target audiences in ways suited to their communication needs. For some, it's a motivating email or an informative and easy-to-navigate website; for others, it's a compelling partnership package or a stirring letter (yes, sent by regular mail with a stamp and a handwritten note inside). For everyone, it's true connection and ongoing communication outside of asking for a donation or inviting then to sample a new product.
Let me help you with:
- creating an actionable, full scale development plan for your organization
- crafting a communications plan for mail, web, email and social media
- fully engaging board members and staff in your fundraising efforts
- increasing individual donor support by mail and online
- starting a donor appreciation program
- upgrading your website to increase donations
- using social media to generate revenue and build awareness
- finding new ways to reinvigorate existing fundraising efforts
Or, if what you really need is just a great grant writer, you've still come to the right place. In the past two years alone, I've raised more than $1.5 million in grant funding for Washington, DC organizations, including single year foundation grants of $5,000 to $100,000; multi-year foundation grants of over $250,000; government grants totaling more than $600,000; and small foundation grants ranging from $1,500 to $10,000. Click the "About" tab for more information.
No matter the size of your project or organization, I can work with you to realize your goals. To discuss your needs, send me an email.
.
Project: New Endeavors by Women 2010 Gala Invitation & Reply Card
Services: Graphic design of 5"x7" Invitation, Quarter Panel Response card and A7, A2 Envelopes | 300 sets printed
Project: New Endeavors by Women Event Sponsorship Booklet
Services: Graphic design + Print management | 16 page booklet 7.5"x9" trim size | 250 printed
Do you need a grant writer? Something more?
The question I'm most often asked by prospective clients is: what is your grant success percentage? The answer is about 90%, but I never like to answer without a full explanation.
While I understand the sentiment behind the question (something like: just how good are you, anyway?), I don't think that the answer--despite being a very respectable number--says much about my skills as a fundraiser. Why? Because the truth is that any good grant writer will have a high success rate.
All good grant writers have a high success rate because they plan well, they understand the client's needs and the potential funder's interests, and they can make a convincing appeal. (If that's all you need, then by all means hire me now!)
But if you also need something more than just a successful grant writer, I will partner with your organization to help you realize your full fundraising potential.
Most nonprofits cannot sustain their work with grant revenue alone. They need the contributions of individuals and businesses, along with funds raised from events and other activities to round out a successful development plan.
It's my goal to help my clients get the most "bang for their buck" from their development efforts. That's why I've worked hard to hone a skill set that makes me more than a grant writer. Effective development requires expert writing for various audiences, along with captivating graphic design and marketing for print, web and even mobile communications. No need to hire four consultants--I come to the table with these skill sets!
For more information, click the "Services" tab. Or, to discuss your organization's needs and how I can help you, click the Contact tab or email me.
The question I'm most often asked by prospective clients is: what is your grant success percentage? The answer is about 90%, but I never like to answer without a full explanation.
While I understand the sentiment behind the question (something like: just how good are you, anyway?), I don't think that the answer--despite being a very respectable number--says much about my skills as a fundraiser. Why? Because the truth is that any good grant writer will have a high success rate.
All good grant writers have a high success rate because they plan well, they understand the client's needs and the potential funder's interests, and they can make a convincing appeal. (If that's all you need, then by all means hire me now!)
But if you also need something more than just a successful grant writer, I will partner with your organization to help you realize your full fundraising potential.
Most nonprofits cannot sustain their work with grant revenue alone. They need the contributions of individuals and businesses, along with funds raised from events and other activities to round out a successful development plan.
It's my goal to help my clients get the most "bang for their buck" from their development efforts. That's why I've worked hard to hone a skill set that makes me more than a grant writer. Effective development requires expert writing for various audiences, along with captivating graphic design and marketing for print, web and even mobile communications. No need to hire four consultants--I come to the table with these skill sets!
For more information, click the "Services" tab. Or, to discuss your organization's needs and how I can help you, click the Contact tab or email me.