organizations should have the freedom
to spend more energy with their communities,
organizing for change, and
striving towards a better society for us all.
that’s where I come in.
Grant Writing
Prospect Research
Narrative Refresh
Development Strategy
I am here to help your organization get, and keep, the funding it needs to sustain the incredible work you do.
I am an organizer, writer, and resource mobilizer based in Queens, New York, with over a decade of experience working in non-profits, with a focus on moving resources to grassroots organizations in hyperlocal, national, and international contexts.
How we can work together
Grant writing ❊ Impact into words
I craft winning proposals and compelling reports that represent your work in the way funders want to hear it while staying true to your mission.
01Prospect research ❊ Strategy into action
Developing a comprehensive list of potential funders for your organization, I provide deep information on each funder, assess fit, and offer recommendations for next steps.
02Narrative refresh ❊ Stale stories into new narratives
Using the same copy year after year, or looking for an updated story to fit a new moment? I provide narrative strategy audits and rewrites of development copy.
03Development strategy ❊ Insight into impact
With your fresh narratives and new prospects, I’ll guide you through cultivation and stewardship, including coaching you on framing and refining your talking points.
04My strengths
and specialties
Every project I take on is tailored to the needs of the client and their funding landscape, carefully considering the funder perspectives, the language they use, and what motivates them.
A deep, grounded understanding of
programs and foundation relations
I’m not solely a career fundraiser. Having built up programs myself, taken on operations leadership, organized funders and donors, and overseen grantmaking portfolios, I understand what your programs staff mean when they explain their work – and, on the other hand, how to frame that work in a way that excites foundation staff.
Translating ideas and concepts
into something visionary
My specialty is turning big ideas and difficult-to-capture impact into words. This skill has been honed through, for example, writing proposals and reports in English for Spanish-speaking organizations and bringing big visions to life for busy leaders of diverse cultures from different parts of the world.
Areas of expertise and focus
Immigrant & refugee rights
Reproductive justice
Community-led + grassroots organizing
LGBTQ+ rights
International human rights
My impact on the work,
as told by others
“Working with Leo was an outstanding experience. They brought clarity, professionalism, and real strategic insight to every part of the development process. Leo made complex work feel easy and quickly understood our mission and translated it into compelling content that truly reflected our goals. Reliable, thorough, and collaborative, Leo was an invaluable partner in strengthening and expanding our fundraising efforts.”
Michael Corrente, SEIU Education and Support Fund
"Working with Leo has been exactly what I needed as an Executive Director - a strategic thought partner to develop strategy and provide critical feedback. What sets Leo apart is their authenticity, professionalism, and alignment with our mission. Leo is a true partner, not just a consultant. In a short time, I feel like Leo is just as invested in our future as our own staff. I am grateful for their help in filling a gap in our pathway to sustainability."
Sergio Morales, California School-Based Health Association
“Working with Leo has been so meaningful to our team. For the past seven years, our organization has been working without government or foundation support and without a dedicated fundraising position. Leo committed to our development from the start as a partner and community supporter. We are grateful for his help in successfully applying for our first grant with the Trans Justice Funding Project and highly recommend him.”
Jessica Guaman & Anthony Pereira, Hope TGNCLX
Ask me about
working together
The way we work together will be tailored to your needs —depending on the scope of the project, we can decide on a fee structure (hourly or flat rate), as well as the length of engagement.
If you are an organization in need of support, I would love to learn more about your work.