How relationship-driven grant strategy helped a rural survivor services organization diversify funding and strengthen local partnerships.
Written by: Dr. Crystal Kurzen
Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of working with Tasho Wesley, Executive Director at Northeast Georgia Council on Domestic Violence (NEGACDV), to cultivate a new funding partnership. Our journey together demonstrates how strategic relationship-building can unlock new and vital funding sources for small, rural organizations that provide critical community services.
When I first suggested that Tasho reach out to the local United Way of Northeast Georgia contact, it represented a significant shift in their approach to funding, which is the primary reason they hired Resurgens Impact Consulting (RIC) in the first place. NEGACDV had historically relied almost exclusively on federal and state government grants; however, as their grant consultant, I welcomed the opportunity to help diversify their funding portfolio through support from regional foundations and corporate partners.
“Relationship-building takes time, but it’s worth every minute,” I remember telling Tasho during one of our weekly check-ins. “Your organization is the only domestic violence shelter serving three rural counties—that’s a powerful story that local funders need to hear firsthand.”
After Tasho’s initial promising meeting with United Way representatives, she learned about an upcoming in-person information session about this year’s cycle of grant funding. Recognizing the importance of this cultivation opportunity, Tasho attended and later shared the presentation materials with me. Together, we strategized how to position NEGACDV’s application for maximum impact, carefully considering the proper funding request amount and which programs to highlight. We ultimately focused the application on their emergency shelter services and outreach programming, showcasing how these services create pathways to safety and stability for domestic violence survivors in their rural service area. Our collaborative approach paid off when United Way reached out with follow-up questions—always a promising sign—which I helped Tasho address.
The site visit that followed went exceptionally well, with Tasho expertly demonstrating NEGACDV’s impact and the critical need for their services in the community. All these positive indicators culminated in wonderful news: NEGACDV received the full $30,000 they requested! This grant represents much more than just funding. It establishes a new institutional partnership that can grow over time, introduces NEGACDV to a broader network of regional supporters, and validates their essential work to a new audience of potential donors and advocates.
What makes this success especially meaningful is seeing how Tasho embraced the relationship-building approach to fundraising. For small organizations operating in rural areas, making these personal connections with local funders can be transformative—not just for the organization, but for the hundreds of vulnerable individuals and families who depend on their services each year.
I’m incredibly proud of Tasho and the NEGACDV team for taking full advantage of this new funding opportunity. Their success reminds me why I love working as a grant pro: helping passionate nonprofit leaders secure the resources they need to create safer, healthier communities.
