Giving Organizations Wings to Soar
Giving Organizations Wings to Soar
About Rising Initiative Consulting
Purpose Statement
Our purpose is to work with and empower Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and Disability (BIPOCD) nonprofit leaders, fostering impactful leadership and amplifying their voices.
Vision Statement
Our vision is a future where BIPOCD non-profit leaders not only thrive but also maximize their impact by having ample resources to serve their communities effectively.
Through strategic guidance, capacity-building, and advocacy, we support their organizational growth, sustainability, and creating lasting positive changes in their communities. We strive to overcome funding disparities and promote equity, enabling these leaders to maximize their impact and drive transformative outcomes.
BIPOCD leadership is instrumental in efficiently aiding communities.
Despite progress towards inclusivity and social justice, significant disparities persist in funding for nonprofit organizations led by Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and Disability-led (BIPOCD). The funding inequity undermines the ability of these nonprofits to fulfill their missions, address systemic issues, and create lasting change within their communities.
Despite the critical work performed by BIPOCD-led organizations, they face significant obstacles in securing adequate funding. Numerous factors contribute to this funding gap, including historical systemic racism, limited access to networks and resources, implicit biases within funding organizations, and a lack of representation in decision-making processes. Consequently, BIPOCD nonprofits struggle to access the financial resources necessary to expand their programs, hire staff, and achieve long-term sustainability.
In nonprofit organizations, the representation of BIPOCD leadership is instrumental in efficiently aiding communities. Diverse leadership brings cultural competence, empathy, and a profound awareness of the challenges faced by marginalized groups. This understanding translates into more targeted and effective programs, resource allocation, and outreach efforts. BIPOCD leaders foster trust, encourage community participation, and ensure that services align with actual needs, leading to improved outcomes and a more equitable impact. Their presence in nonprofits is crucial for achieving genuine, efficient assistance to those in need.
Empowering and investing in BIPOCD leaders is the ultimate catalyst for creating positive, meaningful change within our community.
Welcome to my website!
I am passionate about partnering with Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and Disability-led (BIPOCD) organizations, guiding them through the lenses of Accessibility, Cultural Responsiveness, and Trauma-informed approaches to foster Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with and beyond these organizations. I offer expertise in Executive Coaching, non-profit Infrastructure Support, and Grant Consultation.
As a woman of color Executive Director serving some of the most vulnerable community members navigating the landscape of resources, I deeply understand the challenges that BIPOCD-led and serving organizations face. I have mentored many executive directors of color before creating Rising Initiative Consulting.
Establishing this consulting firm was a natural progression, driven by my firm belief that nurturing and empowering BIPOCD leaders serves as the ultimate catalyst for creating positive, meaningful change within our community.
I have a strong background in directly advocating for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, primary women of color with all forms of disabilities, and homeless women with children. My work focuses on gender equality, racial justice, and disability justice.
My primary goal is to empower BIPOCD nonprofit leaders by establishing sustainable leadership and a robust infrastructure that maximizes their impact. My extensive experience in nonprofit leadership and involvement in numerous nonprofit boards, government committees, and foundation funding groups enhances my understanding of effective organizational strategies and funding mechanisms. My educational foundation is in Sociology, Psychology, and Ethnic Studies.
Please connect with me:
Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashlee-lewis-4164bba2/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashlee.lewis.444
Instagram: love.2.play.outdoors
Instagram: whipping.it.up.with.LOVE
Rising Initiative Services
Executive Coaching
Our executive coaching service is designed to provide tailored guidance and mentorship to executive directors, taking into account their unique experiences and challenges. We understand the specific barriers they may face, including bias, systemic inequities, and limited resources. Our goal is to empower these leaders to overcome these obstacles and cultivate their leadership skills, strategic thinking, and resilience.
Through one-on-one coaching sessions, we work closely with executive directors to identify their strengths, address areas for growth, and develop personalized action plans. We provide a safe and confidential space for leaders to explore their aspirations, tackle organizational challenges, and enhance their decision-making capabilities.
Our executive coaching program focuses on a range of critical areas, including organizational management, fundraising strategies, board development, staff leadership, and self-care. We also offer guidance on navigating bias and systemic barriers within the nonprofit sector, equipping executive directors with the tools and knowledge needed to advocate for their organizations effectively.
Nonprofit Infrastructure Support
Many BIPOCD executive directors, driven by their passion, compassion, intelligence, common sense, and intuition, rise up to organize and support their communities. They possess invaluable knowledge of trauma-informed and culturally responsive services to meet community needs effectively. The effectiveness of a nonprofit in providing services is greatly enhanced when the leader shares the lived experience rather than an outsider presuming to understand community needs.
A robust administrative infrastructure is vital for non-profits to thrive and grow their programs. It ensures efficient operations, effective resource management, regulation compliance, scalability, stakeholder communication, impact evaluation, adaptability, and risk management. By investing in administrative capacity, non-profits can focus on their mission and achieve sustainable, long-term success.
We will provide support in areas of Fundraising, Financial Management, and Data & Outcome Measurement.
Grant Consultation
Grant Writing Consultation Services is dedicated to assisting nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and community initiatives in securing funding through grant proposals. Our goal is to provide comprehensive grant writing services, strategic guidance, and capacity-building programs to maximize the success of our clients in obtaining grants. With our expertise and personalized approach, we aim to unlock funding opportunities and empower organizations to achieve their mission-driven goals.
Grants Management includes:
Grant Readiness Consultation
Identification of Funding Sources
Creating a grant template
Grant writing and submissions
Grant support with outcome measurement, data tracking, grant reports, and compliance monitoring