Meet Jodi Riley | Certified Grant Writer and Nonprofit Development Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jodi Riley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jodi, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
When I started my career working in a government-funded nonprofit in 2012, we commonly partnered with other local nonprofits and so I really got to know all of the community service agencies in the area. Throughout the years I witnessed the struggle local nonprofits were having when it came to grant writing and development. When the staff is primarily focused on serving clients, it is almost impossible to find the time and resources to devote to long, complicated grant applications. Without grant funding, nonprofits are limited in their ability to provide services and grow programs. In 2016 I decided I could fill a gap here. I resigned from my full-time job and started working as a consultant/grant writer for a few local organizations.

I absolutely fell in love with the work and with my clients. Being able to help nonprofit organizations grow their mission and increase their impact for the greater good is my calling, Nonprofit organizations are able to save approximately 70% of the costs of hiring a grant writer on staff by utilizing our services. My team has grown from being a party of one (me), to now including a Research Assistant, Editor, and Managing Consultant. Even though we are a for-profit company, we have a social impact through the savings we are able to provide for nonprofit organizations, which allows them to serve more clients and have a larger community impact.

Additionally, we often support our nonprofit community through sponsorships, donations, and attending events. We utilize nonprofits as often as possible for business purchases, like shirts or promotional items. I believe it is key to be as entrenched in the nonprofit community as possible and to actively support the work being done every day by these organizations. We are members of the Martin County Interagency Coalition, Council of Social Agencies of St. Lucie County, St. Lucie Cultural Alliance, Grant Professionals Association, American Grant Writers Association, and the National Association of Workforce Development. I sit on various local nonprofit boards including Carebag Inc.’s Advisory Council (Member-at-large), Martin County Interagency Coalition (Immediate Past President), and Accelerated Learning Solutions (Vice-Chair for St. Lucie County). Community involvement and giving back are at the heart of my business.

My company’s individual impact is immeasurable, but together with our nonprofit clients we are making the community a better place for all.

What should our readers know about your business?
Jodi Riley Consulting LLC stands out because of our commitment to the mission of our clients. We get to know each organization intimately before taking on work. This business model helps us to find the perfect grant opportunities and recommend key fundraising strategies to ensure our clients see growth, We are also conscious of our clients’ financial limitations and do not price our services at a level that is unreasonable for local organizations. We also pride ourselves in our level of involvement in the local and national nonprofit community.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh my goodness! I love entertaining friends and supporting nonprofits as well as local businesses so if someone were to visit we’d start our day at the Market on Main in Stuart or the Fort Pierce Farmer’s Market for some breakfast and coffee. Then, we’d check out the Manatee Center in Fort Pierce and the Treasure Coast Wildlife Center in Palm City to learn more about local coastal and inland environments. We’d head to lunch at a locally-owned restaurant and then visit some of the local art galleries, including St. Lucie Cultural Alliance’s collection in downtown Fort Pierce. Usually, there is a fun evening fundraising event hosted by a nonprofit organization so we might end up at a cocktail party, a gala, or any fun and engaging event that supports a good cause.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are many people who have encouraged, guided, and helped me along the way. I’ve been blessed with some very strong female role models and mentors in my life and I would never have gotten this far without their influence. My former supervisor, Glenda, was my number one supporter all along the way. She understood the business side of things, but also saw my dedication to the nonprofit sector and the causes represented. She clearly understood what was in my head, and what was in my heart. I will always be indebted to her for her encouragement.

Website: www.jodirileyllc.com

Instagram: @jodirileyconsultingllc

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodi-riley/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodirileyconsulting