Today we’d like to introduce you to Joan Leslie.
Hi Joan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My first job out of college required me to raise money. I was a grassroots community organizer in Jacksonville, FL and had to raise funds to support our nonprofit and to be in the position to hire new staff annually. I learned what made people invest in causes they cared a great deal about during that time. If I could show the community members I worked with how their financial investments into our organizing strategies were going to lead to true change, they were more willing to give and encourage people in their lives to join them. I’ve always loved working with black and brown communities that want to provide a better quality of life for those from communities similar to my hometown: Harlem, NY. My dad, being the true black nationalist he is, raised me on the idea that if you want to see black folks rise, you’ve gotta agitate, educate and organize. I’d like to think as a retired organizer, my agitating days are behind me, but I’m very much committed to educating black nonprofits on how to build their organizations’ capacity. I love when I meet a new nonprofit Executive Director, and they don’t know where to even begin fundraising beyond grants. I know if they are coachable and truly believe in their nonprofit’s work, we can get them set up for success.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think consultants ever have a smooth road to be honest. Asking someone to make a financial investment into their business in addition to the general overhead seems impossible to many of the new entrepreneurs I meet. Most newer nonprofits start out hoping the mission and the program ideas are enough to secure grants and some individual donations from their networks indefinitely, and many will achieve initial success that way. The struggle has been helping these founders see beyond the first few years of their organization being in existence.
I have had to build trust among my clients so they know my first priority is bringing their mission to life. Any nonprofit running like a well-oiled machine more than likely has a fundraising team or at least an active board assisting with fundraising efforts. Helping clients see how an investment in a fundraising team will pay off early in the process if they are open to making some structural adjustments. After a complimentary consultation/discussion, most people see the value and at least want to take the first steps towards investing in a fundraiser from our team.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Easy Street Consulting provides fundraising support to nonprofits that are led by and represent communities of color. At Easy Street Consulting, we believe every nonprofit has the capacity to expand its reach and deepen its impact when sustainable funding is not a concern. Our mission is to ensure our clients never lose sight of their vision simply because they have not identified the means to fund that vision. Our vision is that nonprofits serving black and brown communities have the support they need to bring their visions to light.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I’ve been fundraising my whole career and have been able to use those strategies to secure artist opportunities for me and some of my fellow creatives.
Pricing:
- $550-$600/mo.: Easy Street Consulting Package
- $350-$500/mo.: Fundraising Event Planning
- Consultation: Complimentary 30 minutes
Contact Info:
- Email: admin@easystconsulting.com
- Instagram: @easystconsulting
