Who We Are, Why We Serve: The Story of Heart for the Community Consulting

Note: The blog in its original form was published in August 2025, but has been updated.

It is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the United States—a federal holiday when some people take the day “off” from work, while others treat it as a day “on” for service and community engagement. Some of my clients are closed today. One is open, choosing to honor Dr. King’s legacy through continued service.

I fall into that second camp. I am working today—working with a heart toward service.

Heart for the Community Consulting partners with organizations addressing critical issues that impact our communities. We support programs that help young people involved in the justice system build workforce readiness skills as they work to rebuild their lives. We strengthen efforts that ensure our elders can remain safely housed with the resources they need to thrive. We honor our nation’s Veterans—some of whom have sacrificed greatly to protect our country and its allies from injustice. In short, I work to support those who serve.

These are especially challenging times for many of the organizations we support. Most are small and were not recipients of the federal funds that were drastically cut in 2025. At the same time, the private and corporate foundations we identify for our clients are now being inundated with applications from organizations newly seeking alternative funding sources. As a result, my focus is on helping our clients position themselves to compete effectively by becoming truly “grant ready.”

I also know that grants are not—and should not be—the only source of funding for any organization. That’s why I’ve written a series on fundraising diversification, a strategy that is more important now than ever.

So this is how I am spending my MLK Day: working.

Working on behalf of those who have given to others and now need support.
Working on behalf of those whose voices are often unheard because of the communities they come from.
Working on behalf of those who are now “seasoned” and in need of a little extra assistance.

Working—but not just working. Serving. This is my passion. It is my calling.

Below is a reprint of a blog we shared last year that offers insight into the history of Heart for the Community Consulting—our origin story and why we view MLK Day as a day “on” for service.

I’ve always believed in the power of people. Long before I became a grant writer, consultant, or founder, I was just a young Black girl growing up between two worlds—D.C. and the Bay Area— with my siblings and mom, learning how to find community wherever I went. That instinct to build, to connect, to serve? It’s guided me every step of the way.

After graduating from Stanford with a degree in Anthropology (because I could study a variety of subjects: English, African American Studies, Psychology, etc.), I found my way into the nonprofit sector through the Children’s Defense Fund, the Black Student Leadership Network and the Freedom Schools program. We utilized USDA summer feeding sites to provide Black children not just with food, but with affirmation, education, and joy. From there, I joined AmeriCorps through Public Allies, and just like that, I began a 30+ year journey in public service. One rooted in care. One shaped by culture. One led by heart.

I’ve held titles from Community Education Assistant to Associate Director for Major Gifts. I’ve worked for nonprofits big and small, local and national. But it was behind the scenes—writing grants, researching funding opportunities, and supporting visionary leaders—that I found a deeper calling.

The truth is, I didn’t set out to become a grants professional. I simply followed the work that made me feel most useful. And when my position at Providence Health Foundation was dissolved in 2017, I had a decision to make: find another “job,” or bet on myself and start my own thing. I chose the latter. That leap—equal parts terrifying and freeing—led to the birth of Heart for the Community Consulting.

Fast forward eight years, I’ve supported organizations of various sizes – grassroots to multimillion-dollar – with missions focused on issues ranging from mutual aid, to Catholic education, to cooking and nutrition, to youth mentoring to environmental conservation. My clients have budgets from under $100K to those topping $10 million. What they all share is a commitment to people and a vision for financial growth while holding fast to their core values.

A huge part of my work now involves supporting Black-led organizations. And let me be honest: the barriers are real. I’ve seen Black Executive Directors asked to jump through hoops for funding where their white counterparts receive with far less scrutiny. I’ve seen reporting requirements arbitrarily added. I’ve seen the burnout. The brilliance. The quiet endurance. And the beauty.

Because of this, I’m launching a LinkedIn Live series featuring Black Founders and Executive Directors who are doing this work with grace and grit. I want their wisdom and experiences to reach others. I want to normalize transparency, truth-telling, and peer support in philanthropy.

One thing I’ve learned? Relationships matter.
Yes, we write stellar proposals—but the funding doesn’t always follow just because the writing is good. It takes strategy. It takes persistence. It takes stewardship. One of my proudest accomplishments was helping a client grow a $35,000 relationship into $1 million in grants. Not overnight. Not without effort. But through thoughtful engagement, consistent touchpoints, and a refusal to give up.

Another win? Advocating for off-cycle grants during the height of COVID—and actually getting them. Because sometimes, you just have to ask. The worst they can say is no.

At Heart for the Community, we don’t just write grants—we help organizations get ready for them. We help them tell their story, strengthen their systems, and move through the process with confidence, clarity, and care.

So here’s what I want you to know:

• Grants are not quick money. They require work, follow-up, and strategy.
• Never hire a grant writer on commission. It’s unethical, and it’s against the Grant Professionals Association’s Code of Ethics.
• A good proposal is only one part of the puzzle. You also need relationships, timing, alignment, and often… luck.

If you’re ready to approach fundraising with more heart and less hustle, I invite you to join me.

👉 Subscribe to our weekly blog
👉 Follow us to LinkedIn to view our upcoming LinkedIn Live series
👉 Reach out for support with grant readiness, research, or writing

At the end of the day, I believe in community. I believe in equity. And I believe that with the right tools and the right support, we can build something better, together.

Warmly,
Kia