ABOUT

Root Reach Rise Inc (R³) was founded by Melody B. Hernandez, a grant consultant with 9 years’ experience helping nonprofits work to build, maintain, sustain, and/or grow by securing grant funds. Over this time, Melody has raised nearly $40 million dollars on behalf of nonprofit clients, the bulk of which represents first time funding for programs or organizations. Melody is a member of the Grant Professionals Association, sits on their Ethics Committee, is one of the founding board members of the local Greater Bay Area Chapter and currently serves as President of this chapter.

R³ works to ensure that communities that have been historically less likely to receive grant funding have access to the information and resources they need to navigate systems and processes. The following services are offered a la carte and clients may choose from one or more options.

Root Reach Rise Inc (R³) can provide the following options:

Potential Funder Research with Strategic Fundraising Plan

R³ will conduct research using listservs, paid databases, and other professional tools to create a list identifying 20-30 institutional (foundations/corporations) whose priorities align with the clients' programming. R³ will then create a one-year, strategic plan focused on incorporating current and potential funders. All funders are then broken into quarterly lists that include due dates, cultivation tasks, reporting requirements, and all other tasks and pertinent information associated with process of building relationships with funders and submitting grant proposals.

2. Grant Writing Services

With this option, R³ will plan, craft, edit, and help to submit grant proposals to institutional funders. A designated point person(s) will provide an overview of current project goals and needs during a short, 1-hour interview session. R³ will then use this information, along with statistics and information gleaned through a thorough research process, to craft a persuasive proposal that aligns the goals of the funder. A designated point person from the client's organization will approve the proposal, or provide feedback for necessary edits. R³ will continue to edit the proposal until it receives final approval from the client.

3. Comprehensive Grant Serivces

This option encompasses all of the work outlined above: potential funder research, creation of a strategic fundraising plan and ongoing grant writing services. Through this option, R³ would essentially run the grants department with regular bi-weekly check-ins with a designated point person. R³ supports the writing, project management, and submission of each proposal and report, with R³ providing high-level planning, strategic decision making, and support with writing and editing proposals. Each grant would be approved by R³ and the point person before submission.

With this option, R³ will meet biweekly or monthly via Zoom with a representative from the client's organization to provide advice, expertise and coaching in the areas grant readiness, cultivating donors, vetting grant opportunities, and writing the grant proposals. R³ will also be available to review the draft proposals and provide feedback and editing intended to improve chances of success.

5. training

R³ provides a variety of trainings tailored to each client and their needs. Sessions can include hands-on activities to hone skills, interactive learning, team building, and/or learning objectives specific to your goals and the audience. R³ has an extensive history of providing trainings to Board members, program staff, grant newbies, seasoned professionals, artists, service providers, government agencies, and funders.