My WHY

I served as Executive Director of our local Education Foundation for many years.

 

Nestled in the heart of Abilene, which I call home, I had the privilege of dedicating my time, energy, and spirit to serving our future - the students - and those shaping it - our teachers of Abilene ISD. Indeed, those were years spent in joy, purpose, and fulfillment.

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But just as my taste in wine has changed over the years (check out my blog post Learning to Love Chardonnay: Making the Choice to Change), my desire to serve expanded, and I knew it was time to try something new. 

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In the world of Executive Directors, it's about more than driving change or shouting from the rooftops why we love our organizations.

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There is an authentic business aspect that often goes unnoticed. Many EDs are experts in their fields, whether children's advocacy, pet adoption, social services, or food scarcity. However, the nonprofit management and business aspect of leading often go unnoticed, but it is equally crucial. And frankly, even if you are prepared, it can feel overwhelming. 

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Sound familiar?

"What do you mean I must raise a million dollars to make a budget? I don't understand the financials in front of me."

"Why are only half the board members showing up?"

"Do we have a conflict of interest policy?"

"What do you mean we can't accept land or stock as a donation?"

"Who just resigned? Not Sarah! She has been here for twenty years."

"This move was a mistake; I should try to get my old job back."

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You are not alone.

I was incredibly prepared by my predecessor to step into my new role as ED, and I was still overwhelmed. It is a demanding job, like no other and shouldn't be. Our roles are serious ones. They are filled with purpose, excitement, and the blessing of rallying even more people behind the mission we have dedicated our lives to.

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We all have parts of the Director role we like more than others. For me, it was raising money for new, bold ideas. I am committed to making an impact that moves mountains. But to move that mountain, we will need vision, resources, and money.

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This is when I felt what I call "the shift." I wanted to spend more time in various industries, building up other leaders and empowering them to raise money, specifically through grant funding, and learning how to lead.

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That is right. I like to raise money; it is my favorite.

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Amidst my fellow directors, I also felt a shared struggle - the perpetual hunt for fresh funding.

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But I knew a secret.

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The need for fresh funding wasn't the real issue. It was TIME. 

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The Real Work

As EDs or leaders of your nonprofit, do you find yourself submitting a grant application at the last minute because you were busy putting out another fire? Perhaps this isn't you?

 

Maybe you have a development director who is a rock star, but you need help cracking the code and landing some national grants or foundational funders that keep turning you down. You are tired of chasing gifts as rare as a unicorn or repeatedly returning to the same funders, hoping this won't be the year they say no.

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After all, why apply for a grant you have almost zero chance of being awarded?

 

And who had the time to do all that research? On the weekend?

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As an ED, I often felt like I was shooting arrows in the dark, hoping to scrounge some much-needed funding for the organization I loved.

 

And if you are an ED, you might feel the same way. Perhaps you are a board member reading this who is dedicating hours to get the nonprofit you love off the ground. Could grant funding be a fit for you?

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Driven by a desire for change, I decided to level up. I enrolled to become a certified grant writer and started working one-on-one with clients. I told myself I would give it a year to see.

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This journey led me to two profound revelations. 

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First, I discovered a newfound passion and purpose – helping nonprofits find funding and building up new Executive Directors.

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Second, I realized I was part of a rare breed of past Executive Directors who understood and ENJOYED the adrenaline-fueled process of securing funds. Many grant writers and consultants are fantastic, but only a few have been Executive Directors with an MPA and years of experience leading a nonprofit. Plus, my prior business experience helps, too. 

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Who knew paperwork could be so thrilling, right? (Keep getting to know me, and you'll learn more of my nerdy ways! 🙂)

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Joy in seeing YOU Succeed

Yes, that is right. I loved getting money for nonprofits positively impacting their communities, and I want more EDs to enjoy it or at least find it less intimidating! 

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So, in 2022, I combined two of my greatest passions - impacting communities and empowering hard-working leaders.

 

My mission? To inspire them to be bold and audacious enough to ask for what their nonprofit truly needs.

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That's how Curtis-Carr Consulting was born.

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CCC is not just my brainchild; it's my heart and soul. 

 

I've had the privilege of working with nonprofits like yours and helping them secure the funds they deserve. 

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Together, we've netted significant funding and built a community of EDs who are now more confident, assertive, and successful in their asks.

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Here's the exciting part - I'm ready to help YOU next! Why? 

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Because significant, collective change is possible in our community and world when big ideas are supported and funded! You can get the money you need, but only if you try first.