You know what keeps me up at night?It’s not missing a deadline or a funder asking for three years of audited financials for a $5,000 grant. It’s this: taking on a client who isn’t 100% transparent, because nothing is spookier than realizing after you’ve signed the contract that the story they told you in the discovery call isn’t the whole damn story.

When I first hired Lexi from Myliu Marketing to create a brand for JAC, we were both lil’ baby businesses just trying to figure it out as we went. I found her on Instagram, immediately saw myself in her hustle, and thought: yep, this is my kind of person.

Someone slid into my LinkedIn messages not because of a referral, not because of a cold pitch, and definitely not because I was out there aggressively marketing myself or JAC. They simply messaged me because they liked my vibe. From posts about being an entrepreneurial mom, to my random thoughts about today’s world, and nuances about grant seeking. I guess it all added up to something that felt familiar to them and trustworthy.

Public dollars? Slashed. Private foundations? Flooded with more applications than they’ve ever seen. Organizations that used to have a decent shot? They’re getting rejection after rejection. And just because the need is bigger doesn’t mean private funders suddenly have more money to hand out. They don’t. There’s no secret vault of cash waiting to save the day. That’s the mess we’re all trying to navigate right now – a tough, competitive, and frankly shitty reality

One of the weirdest things about being self-employed? No performance reviews or anyone sitting me down to say “great job!” or “you need...

Nonprofit burnout is real. Here’s why overloading one staff member with fundraising, grants, and marketing sets your mission up to fail — and how to fix it.

I built a nonprofit grant system from the ground up—clean workflows, clear documentation, and aligned teams. Then I walked away. This blog shares why leaving the system I perfected was the right move, and how building something of your own can be the most aligned decision you’ll ever make.

In-kind grants might not come with a big dollar sign attached, but they can be worth just as much—if not more—than traditional cash awards. In this post, I break down how one overlooked opportunity led to a $250,000 solar project win for the Arizona Humane Society, saving them thousands annually and proving that infrastructure upgrades, donated services, and non-cash awards can drive major impact. If your organization is only chasing cash grants, it’s time to rethink your str

You open a new grant application. You’re staring at the first prompt: “Describe your organization’s mission, history, and key...

We’re getting personal. Because my marketing manager, who, to her credit, is trying to help me grow and not sabotage my introvert lifestyle, has been gently nudging me to show up. Like, actually show up. As a person. With a face. And stories. So here’s the truth: I don’t look, act, or exist like your average “professional.” And honestly? I like it that way.

We’re making a shift — moving away from social media and leaning into deeper conversations through our blog and newsletter. Writing has always been at the core of what we do, and we’re excited to serve you with more thoughtful insights, real strategies, and lasting support. Read more about why we're pivoting and what’s ahead!