The team behind your team.
Bottom line, we “get" grants: we understand the grant seeking process, how to interpret the grant making patterns of funders, and how to guide nonprofit leaders to strategically grow their grant revenues.
We partner with organizations as their trusted advisors to identify funders, recommend grant strategies, write compelling proposals, and make long-term gains.
Grants Plus is the nation's leading strategic grant seeking firm. We have received the Weatherhead 100 Award for seven consecutive years, a Smart Business Progressive Organization Award, and a Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award from the American Psychological Association.
We practice multiple ways of giving back, from sponsoring company-wide volunteer days, to adopting a cause at the holidays, to growing a philanthropic fund at The Cleveland Foundation.
Combined, our professional team of grant seeking experts bring hundreds of years' experience in the nonprofit sector. We have walked in our clients' shoes as executive directors, development directors, foundation officers, and grant writers.
Grants Plus is a proud member of The Giving Institute, which consists of member organizations that have embraced and embodied the core values of ethics, excellence and leadership in advancing philanthropy.
Grants Plus strives to be an anti-racist firm and an Equal Employment Opportunity workplace. From our founding, we’ve been a mission-based, values-driven firm that welcomes and nurtures the unique talents, contributions, ideas, and experiences of our team. We seek to intentionally grow the diversity of our staff across geography, gender, sexuality, race, belief, ability, and other realms and identities, in order to be reflective and inclusive of the diverse communities and missions of our client organizations. We take proactive steps to ensure a diverse applicant pool for any open positions.
Lauren Steiner, JD
Lauren Steiner is the president and founder of Grants Plus, a national leader in grant seeking consulting. Grants Plus has secured $200 million in grant funding for nonprofit organizations around the country since 2007. Under her leadership the company has received many awards for growth and innovation including a 2016 Smart Business: Progressive Organization Award, and a 2016 Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award from the American Psychological Association.
Lauren is past president of the Grant Professionals Association Ohio–Northern Chapter as well as an active member and former board member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Greater Cleveland Chapter. She was awarded AFP Greater Cleveland’s Outstanding Fundraising Professional award in 2017. She is an active member of the Giving Institute and serves on the editorial review board for Giving USA. Lauren teaches a graduate-level course in philanthropy at the Mandel School of Applied Social Science at Case Western Reserve University. She holds a BS from Ohio University and a JD from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University.
Sarah Dave
Sarah leads operations at Grants Plus, including developing and overseeing internal processes, systems, and strategies that enable our team to achieve excellent outcomes for our clients.
Before joining the Grants Plus team, Sarah served as the Development Director of Greater Cleveland Youth For Christ. She worked to further the organization’s brand and developed specific strategies and processes to further relationships with current and potential partners. A proponent for personal growth, Sarah carves out time to read every day and always welcomes a recommendation for her next selection. Sarah also volunteers with various organizations, helping develop strategies for marketing and fundraising events. Sarah holds a BSE from Bowling Green State University.
Dana Textoris
Dana has been a leader in major gifts philanthropy, grant seeking, fund development strategy, marketing and writing, and business development for non-profit and for-profit organizations across the country.
As Managing Director at Grants Plus, Dana propels the company’s vision to help nonprofit organizations across the country to be more confident and successful at getting grants.
Dana cut her teeth in fund development as Grants Coordinator for a youth-serving organization in Oakland, California. She then crossed the San Francisco Bay into other areas of fundraising, serving as Director of Major Gifts for the ACLU of Northern California and Associate Director of Development for NARAL Pro-Choice California. While in California she contributed leadership to multiple statewide ballot initiative campaigns and policy initiatives, raising millions of dollars to help reform the state’s criminal justice system. Her greatest West Coast fundraising adventures included a lunch date with MC Hammer and hitchhiking to a last-minute meeting with the CEO of YouTube. She returned to her hometown of Cleveland in 2012 to lead a $1 million tribute campaign for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and then joined the team at Grants Plus, first serving as a grant writing consultant and eventually leading the company as part of its executive team.
She is grateful every day that she puts to use her skills in writing and communications that she honed while completing her B.A. With Distinction at The Ohio State University. Dana is a board member for Neighborhood Pets, and served previously as a member of the City of Lakewood Animal Safety and Welfare Advisory Board, Development Committee Chair for FrontLine Service, an officer of the Development Executives Roundtable in San Francisco, and a founding Board member of Good Ol' Girls, a professional networking group for women in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Gail Dancy Heim
Gail is an experienced grants strategist who has helped raise millions of dollars for nonprofit organizations, especially in the fields of healthcare, human services, education, and the arts.
As a Director at Grants Plus, she leads a team of grant seeking strategists who succeed in identifying, pursuing, and winning grants on behalf of clients including Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services, The Dragonfly Foundation, and Merrick House Neighborhood Center. Prior to joining Grants Plus, Gail managed proposal development for United Way of Greater Cleveland and Cleveland Clinic, and she gained extensive arts management experience working with two Cleveland-area orchestras. A native New Englander, Gail holds a Bachelor of Music from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford and a Master of Arts from New York University.
Irina Thompson
Irina has led grant seeking and institutional giving for organizations across the country, including the Bay Area Discovery Museum and Jewish Family and Children’s Services of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties.
As a director at Grants Plus, she leads our team of grant writing and grant research experts who excel at identifying, pursuing, and winning grants on behalf of our clients. Prior to joining Grants Plus, she advised nonprofits nationwide on building and growing sustainable fundraising programs as part of Marts & Lundy’s healthcare practice group. She completed her BA in History and Political Economy at the University of California at Berkeley and her Master of Science in Information at the University of Michigan.
Matt Carter
Matt has designed and executed institutional fundraising strategies for cultural, educational, policy, and human service organizations across the country, including the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, SUNY Purchase College, the Learning Disabilities Association of America, and Miami University.
As a Senior Advisor at Grants Plus, Matt coaches and trains nonprofit leaders to be more successful at finding and securing grants from foundations, corporations, and government funders. Prior to joining Grants Plus, he was Associate Director of Development, Foundations and Grants, at the Western Reserve Historical Society, and Director of Development at New Life Community (now Family Promise of Greater Cleveland). Matt has been published in journals in the US and Europe, and co-authored the book, Seen But Not Heard: Strengthening Nonprofit Advocacy. He holds a BA in Political Science from University at Buffalo.
Kari Elsila, MNO
Kari is an experienced grant writer and editor who brings passion for the nonprofit sector and excels at crafting compelling cases for support. As a Senior Advisor, Kari coaches and mentors the Grants Plus team to achieve excellence in grant writing. Prior to joining Grants Plus, she held positions in foundation relations and grants management at Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio and the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes. Earlier in her career, she worked at a Cleveland-area family foundation, which gave her valuable insight into the grantmaking process. Kari holds a BA from the University of Michigan in Social Science and a Master of Nonprofit Organizations degree from Case Western Reserve University.
Tracy Francescone
Tracy is a grant seeking expert who specializes in helping her nonprofit clients plot an overarching grant seeking strategy and plan successful approaches to specific funders.
As a Senior Advisor, Tracy advises clients and mentors the Grants Plus team to achieve excellence in grant strategy. Since joining Grants Plus, she has helped secure millions of dollars in grant funding for initiatives and organizations nationwide, including $9.7 million in federal funds to address the lead hazard crisis in Cleveland. Prior to joining the Grants Plus team, Tracy served as Manager of Foundation Relations and Grant Writer for the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. She has also worked in development for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland and Diabetes Partnership of Cleveland. Tracy holds a BA in Communications and a MA in Nonprofit Administration from John Carroll University.
Kari Mirkin, MNO
Kari's expertise in grant writing and grant prospect research has benefited a diverse array of nonprofit organizations, from small community agencies to major museums and universities. As a Senior Advisor, Kari coaches and mentors the Grants Plus team to achieve excellence in grant research. Kari has influenced the effectiveness of our grant research service since she joined Grants Plus in 2016. Previously, she was a Program Associate at The Foundation Center and served as a national board member for the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) and as a blogger for Idealist Careers. She received her Master of Nonprofit Organizations (MNO) from Case Western Reserve University and holds a BA in History and German from Lafayette College in Easton Pennsylvania, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa. She volunteers her time as a board member at Lake Erie ink, a writing space for Cleveland youth, and as a docent at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage. She's loved writing for as long as she can remember, and enjoys helping nonprofits share their stories with the community.
Laura Altieri
Laura is an experienced grant writer, researcher, and program and project manager.
Prior to joining Grants Plus, Laura was the Manager of Research and Grant Development at Case Western Reserve University's College of Arts and Sciences where she advised faculty on crafting compelling proposals to support their work. Previously, she worked with the Great Lakes Energy Institute where she prepared large proposals for projects aimed at fostering a cleaner and more efficient energy future. During that time she was featured as a "20 In Their 20s" in Crain’s Cleveland Business for her commitment to nonprofit work in Northeast Ohio. An alumna of the AmeriCorps VISTA program, Laura led client outreach initiatives with the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Kent State University.
Cari Catts
Cari comes to Grants Plus with a wealth of experience in nonprofit donor strategy and communications, grant writing and management, donor database management, annual fund planning, and managing the development office.
Before joining Grants Plus, Cari led the development department for eight years at Trinity River Mission (TRM), a nonprofit afterschool organization in Dallas, Texas – most recently as Director of Grants and Donor Strategies. Her past experience at TRM and with YWCA Greater Cleveland, Hard Hatted Women, and The Institute on Women in Columbus have given her a deep understanding of the complex challenges and realities nonprofits face. Cari has raised millions of dollars by managing the grants process, stewarding relationships with foundation, corporate, and individual funders, and producing metrics-driven results that prioritize and value the power of connection and storytelling. Cari is passionate about education, racial and gender equity, theater, and environmental sustainability. She holds a BA in Theater, International Studies, and French from Baldwin-Wallace University.
Kenya Fike
An experienced nonprofit fundraising leader and grant seeking professional, Kenya has crafted grant proposals that have garnered millions of dollars in funding from foundations, corporations, and federal, state, and local government agencies.
Prior to joining Grants Plus, Kenya served as the Manager of Foundation Relations at Saint Martin de Porres High School and as Grants Manager at FrontLine Service. She holds a BBA in Marketing from Kent State University and an MBA in Marketing from Clark Atlanta University. While earning her MBA, she studied abroad in Beijing, China. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Grant Professionals Association-Greater Cleveland Chapter.
Kaylen Mallard
Kaylen joins Grants Plus following a nonprofit career in development and communications with an emphasis on institutional giving strategy and proposal development.
Before joining Grants Plus, Kaylen served as Chief Development Officer for Remote Area Medical in Rockford, Tennessee and the Director of Development and Program Strategy for the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library and Director of Development for The Mind Trust, both in Indianapolis, Indiana. As Chief Development Officer at Remote Area Medical, Kaylen built a grants program that led to the largest solicited gift in the organization’s 30-year history, and she provided national media strategy resulting in work with The Washington Post, NBC’s Today, Fox News, and CNN. While with the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library, Kaylen secured funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute for Museum and Library Sciences. In addition to her nonprofit experience, Kaylen has an MFA in creative nonfiction from the University of Montana and has completed several writing residencies, including a residency at Madroño Ranch and Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts.
Wendy Lefko Messeloff
Wendy is a journalist by training, with years of experience as a writer in a variety of professional capacities.
She has worked in corporate communications for MTV Networks; nonprofit research and analysis for the Anti-Defamation League's National Civil Rights Information Center; domestic policy advocacy and government relations for Hadassah; and fundraising and grant writing, as the Director of Grants Development for the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and, most recently, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. As a grant writer, Wendy has raised funds for seven-figure capital projects, small community-based programs, and a range of human, social, cultural and educational services in the GreaterCleveland area. She earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University.
Kristi Reed
Kristi's experience includes arts administration, specializing in grant writing, impact measurement, and grants management. She has a proven track record of success from foundation, corporate, and grant funders at the local, regional, state, and national levels.
Prior to joining Grants Plus, Kristi served as the grants manager for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Development Manager for the Taft Museum of Art, and held multiple positions for the Freed Center for the Performing Arts. Kristi holds a Bachelor of Music from Ohio Northern University with dual majors in Voice Performance and Professional and Organizational Communication. She received her MBA from the University of Cincinnati's (UC) Lindner School of Business and MA in Arts Administration from UC's College-Conservatory of Music.
Jessica Salyers
Jessica brings experience in grant writing, corporate giving, event planning, donor cultivation, and executive leadership.
Formerly Vice President of Fund Development and Community Relations at Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired and Development Representative at the American Cancer Society, Jessica has raised millions of dollars in support of health and human service organizations in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. She has served on the Board of Directors and Diversity Committee for the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Greater Cincinnati Chapter and volunteers for the Northern Kentucky Children’s Advocacy Center. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Kentucky.
Abby Teare
Abby has experience working for and with non-profit organizations in the historic preservation and museum fields. She spent her early career working and interning at some of the country’s most prominent history institutions and learning from practitioners in the field of public history.
Before coming to Grants Plus, she managed grant writing and reporting for the Cleveland History Center, a museum of the Western Reserve Historical Society. Abby is a strong collaborator with experience writing proposals to private and community foundations, as well as government funders such as the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute for Museum and Library Services. She enjoys helping organizations understand how their programs and missions align with the priorities of grant makers.
In addition to her work as a grant writer, Abby is a long-time member of the National Council on Public History. She applies her passion for creativity and personal growth in her yoga practice and exploring new places through travel. She holds a BA in history from John Carroll University and an MA in Public History from Indiana University.
Gina Wolf
ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR
Gina is a graduate of Ohio University and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication, with a focus in Organizational Communication & Marketing.
She began her career as an Advertising & Communication Coordinator for a Non-Profit Performing Arts Theater in Sandusky, OH, and moved to Lakewood in 2017 where she began her work as a Marketing & Communication Coordinator at a small corporation in Independence. Gina is well versed in the creating, designing, and delivering process of marketing and communication material. She joins Grants Plus with a passion to be a part of a creative work community and assisting in services that are beneficial to the community.
Lori Jolliffe
Lori is a graduate of John Carroll University and holds a degree in English and Communications.
She began her career as a Sales Associate at Cleveland Magazine, and then spent 10 years at Sherman & Company, a small capital equipment leasing corporation where she was responsible for bookkeeping, human resources, sales, marketing, and office management. She began working as an Executive Assistant in 2003, and joined Grants Plus in 2010. Lori has three children, and she is very active in the Westlake City School PTA Units, including past President of Lee Burneson Middle School PTA.
Kelly MacMillan
Kelly has over 20 years of accounting and business experience working with companies in both the public and private sectors. She consults with businesses regarding financial reporting, budgeting, human resources, and insurance. Kelly has been working with Grants Plus since 2010. She holds a B.S. in Accounting from Miami University and is also a CPA (inactive).
Jane Wise
Jane is a graduate of Bowling Green State University with a degree in Business Administration.
She began her career at State Industrial Products, where she was assistant to the Controller, Tax Manager and CFO. She has additional experience in Retail Sales and Hospitality Management, where duties included overseeing staff, audit, office management and human resources. In 2003 she began working in office administration and she joined Grants Plus in 2010. Jane is the mother of three children, and she serves as the Auditor and Scholarship Chair of her schools’ PTA Units.