Pre-application planning for Maryland grant programs

Most organizations find the right Maryland grant opportunity at the wrong time. The application opened two weeks ago. The deadline sits six weeks out. And the team has none of the documents, data, or funder relationships needed to submit something competitive. Organizations that build a disciplined planning process before applying to Maryland grant programs enter […]

Maria Hixon

Business Development Manager (Florida)

Maria is a seasoned communications and fund development professional with 17+ years of experience advancing community engagement and strategic fundraising across nonprofit and private sectors. She has a strong track record in leading development programs, securing major gifts, and building high-impact partnerships. Her expertise includes rebranding, grant strategy, and signature fundraising events, supported by a hands-on approach to donor and community relations. She has held leadership roles in regional and national nonprofits and higher education, where she built donor pipelines and led cross-functional initiatives to drive mission-focused outcomes.  

Maria Hixon

Business Development Manager (Florida)

Maria Hixon
Maria is a seasoned communications and fund development professional with 17+ years of experience advancing community engagement and strategic fundraising across nonprofit and private sectors. She has a strong track record in leading development programs, securing major gifts, and building high-impact partnerships. Her expertise includes rebranding, grant strategy, and signature fundraising events, supported by a hands-on approach to donor and community relations. She has held leadership roles in regional and national nonprofits and higher education, where she built donor pipelines and led cross-functional initiatives to drive mission-focused outcomes.

Nichole Long

Client Success Manager

Drawing on hands-on administrative work in the judiciary circuit court system, Nichole excels at coordinating with clients to gather all required documentation for each grant. She collaborates closely with the team to equip clients with what they need, ensuring a smooth and stress-free process.

Nichole Long

Client Success Manager

Drawing on hands-on administrative work in the judiciary circuit court system, Nichole excels at coordinating with clients to gather all required documentation for each grant. She collaborates closely with the team to equip clients with what they need, ensuring a smooth and stress-free process.

Julia Casey

Marketing & Development Specialist

Julia Casey is a Marketing & Development Specialist at KG Strategic Consultants, where she supports the firm’s mission of helping nonprofits secure and manage critical grant funding. She brings a background in marketing, client engagement, and project coordination, helping organizations strengthen their communications and outreach as they pursue funding opportunities. Julia manages social media, develops sales and marketing collateral, and assists with client requests to ensure partners have the resources they need throughout the grant development process. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Towson University. Based in Baltimore, Julia enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with friends. She is passionate about helping organizations tell their stories and connect with the resources they need to make a greater impact in their communities.

Julia Casey

Marketing & Development Specialist

Julia Casey is a Marketing & Development Specialist at KG Strategic Consultants, where she supports the firm’s mission of helping nonprofits secure and manage critical grant funding. She brings a background in marketing, client engagement, and project coordination, helping organizations strengthen their communications and outreach as they pursue funding opportunities. Julia manages social media, develops sales and marketing collateral, and assists with client requests to ensure partners have the resources they need throughout the grant development process. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Towson University. Based in Baltimore, Julia enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with friends. She is passionate about helping organizations tell their stories and connect with the resources they need to make a greater impact in their communities.

Cheri Sanzi

Government Grants Consultant

Cheri Sanzi is a nonprofit executive with nearly 20 years of experience leading mission-driven organizations through growth, operational transformation, and long-term sustainability. She joined KG Strategic Consultants in 2026, bringing expertise in grant writing, strategy, leadership, and human services administration.

Cheri Sanzi

Government Grants Consultant

Cheri Sanzi is a nonprofit executive with nearly 20 years of experience leading mission-driven organizations through growth, operational transformation, and long-term sustainability. She joined KG Strategic Consultants in 2026, bringing expertise in grant writing, strategy, leadership, and human services administration.

Deborah Samuels

Grant Consultant

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Deborah Samuels

Grant Consultant

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras eu elit efficitur, cursus est id, semper augue. Praesent nec volutpat nulla. Donec feugiat velit sit amet elit varius lacinia. Nam semper, metus non imperdiet placerat, massa magna vehicula urna, et tempor justo nibh nec magna. Fusce scelerisque, lectus id auctor malesuada, est mauris blandit neque, a viverra tellus diam in tortor. Ut ac dolor et risus aliquet scelerisque sed sollicitudin augue. Morbi nec purus at dui luctus gravida quis nec augue. Cras luctus justo eu est luctus, ac pharetra diam posuere. Etiam enim arcu, volutpat euismod ligula sed, vulputate rhoncus velit. Nunc ultricies interdum massa, non tincidunt arcu porta sit amet.

Patrick Kenney

Grant Consultant

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras eu elit efficitur, cursus est id, semper augue. Praesent nec volutpat nulla. Donec feugiat velit sit amet elit varius lacinia. Nam semper, metus non imperdiet placerat, massa magna vehicula urna, et tempor justo nibh nec magna. Fusce scelerisque, lectus id auctor malesuada, est mauris blandit neque, a viverra tellus diam in tortor. Ut ac dolor et risus aliquet scelerisque sed sollicitudin augue. Morbi nec purus at dui luctus gravida quis nec augue. Cras luctus justo eu est luctus, ac pharetra diam posuere. Etiam enim arcu, volutpat euismod ligula sed, vulputate rhoncus velit. Nunc ultricies interdum massa, non tincidunt arcu porta sit amet.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras eu elit efficitur, cursus est id, semper augue. Praesent nec volutpat nulla. Donec feugiat velit sit amet elit varius lacinia. Nam semper, metus non imperdiet placerat, massa magna vehicula urna, et tempor justo nibh nec magna. Fusce scelerisque, lectus id auctor malesuada, est mauris blandit neque, a viverra tellus diam in tortor. Ut ac dolor et risus aliquet scelerisque sed sollicitudin augue. Morbi nec purus at dui luctus gravida quis nec augue. Cras luctus justo eu est luctus, ac pharetra diam posuere. Etiam enim arcu, volutpat euismod ligula sed, vulputate rhoncus velit. Nunc ultricies interdum massa, non tincidunt arcu porta sit amet.

Hugh Kelly

Grants Consultant

Hugh Kelly, JD, is a veteran grant writer and strategist specializing in securing multimillion-dollar federal and state awards. With a background in higher education and nonprofit leadership, he is a persuasive advocate for healthcare and community development initiatives. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Hugh designs strategic mission-driven proposals with a portfolio focused on disability studies, behavioral health, and vulnerable populations. He holds a longstanding commitment to public service and fostering lasting community outcomes.

Hugh Kelly, JD, is a veteran grant writer and strategist specializing in securing multimillion-dollar federal and state awards. With a background in higher education and nonprofit leadership, he is a persuasive advocate for healthcare and community development initiatives.

Based in the Pacific Northwest, Hugh designs strategic mission-driven proposals with a portfolio focused on disability studies, behavioral health, and vulnerable populations. He holds a longstanding commitment to public service and fostering lasting community outcomes.

Adam Stockman

Grant Consultant

Adam brings a strong storytelling instinct to the grant writing process, helping turn complex missions into clear, compelling proposals that connect with funders. He combines empathy with an eye for detail, making sure each application highlights real impact while staying closely aligned with funder priorities and guidelines. At KG Strategic, Adam’s role is to help strengthen our clients case for support through thoughtful research, clear structure, and precise language. His goal is to create proposals that are credible, engaging, and easy for funders to understand. Adam holds a Liberal Arts degree from Sarah Lawrence College in New York. You’ll often find Adam with a book in hand, or learning a new recipe. He is also D&D Dungeon Master and loves all types of board games.
Adam brings a strong storytelling instinct to the grant writing process, helping turn complex missions into clear, compelling proposals that connect with funders. He combines empathy with an eye for detail, making sure each application highlights real impact while staying closely aligned with funder priorities and guidelines. At KG Strategic, Adam’s role is to help strengthen our clients case for support through thoughtful research, clear structure, and precise language. His goal is to create proposals that are credible, engaging, and easy for funders to understand. Adam holds a Liberal Arts degree from Sarah Lawrence College in New York. You’ll often find Adam with a book in hand, or learning a new recipe. He is also D&D Dungeon Master and loves all types of board games.

Matthew Weiner

Grant Consultant

Matthew is a grants and philanthropy professional with over five years of experience securing foundation, government, and community funding for initiatives spanning affordable housing, food security, resident services, community development, and youth programs. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and an MBA with a focus on leadership and team development. Known for translating complex program needs into clear, funder-aligned proposals, Matthew builds strong relationships that support long-term, sustainable impact. His strategic, research-driven approach to funding helps organizations strengthen outcomes, expand capacity, and scale their work with confidence.

Matthew is a grants and philanthropy professional with over five years of experience securing foundation, government, and community funding for initiatives spanning affordable housing, food security, resident services, community development, and youth programs. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and an MBA with a focus on leadership and team development.

Known for translating complex program needs into clear, funder-aligned proposals, Matthew builds strong relationships that support long-term, sustainable impact. His strategic, research-driven approach to funding helps organizations strengthen outcomes, expand capacity, and scale their work with confidence.

Keith Manley

Business Development Manager (Southeast)

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras eu elit efficitur, cursus est id, semper augue. Praesent nec volutpat nulla. Donec feugiat velit sit amet elit varius lacinia. Nam semper, metus non imperdiet placerat, massa magna vehicula urna, et tempor justo nibh nec magna. Fusce scelerisque, lectus id auctor malesuada, est mauris blandit neque, a viverra tellus diam in tortor. Ut ac dolor et risus aliquet scelerisque sed sollicitudin augue. Morbi nec purus at dui luctus gravida quis nec augue. Cras luctus justo eu est luctus, ac pharetra diam posuere. Etiam enim arcu, volutpat euismod ligula sed, vulputate rhoncus velit. Nunc ultricies interdum massa, non tincidunt arcu porta sit amet.

Keith Manley

Business Development Manager (Southeast)

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras eu elit efficitur, cursus est id, semper augue. Praesent nec volutpat nulla. Donec feugiat velit sit amet elit varius lacinia. Nam semper, metus non imperdiet placerat, massa magna vehicula urna, et tempor justo nibh nec magna. Fusce scelerisque, lectus id auctor malesuada, est mauris blandit neque, a viverra tellus diam in tortor. Ut ac dolor et risus aliquet scelerisque sed sollicitudin augue. Morbi nec purus at dui luctus gravida quis nec augue. Cras luctus justo eu est luctus, ac pharetra diam posuere. Etiam enim arcu, volutpat euismod ligula sed, vulputate rhoncus velit. Nunc ultricies interdum massa, non tincidunt arcu porta sit amet.

Maggie Golias

Business Development Manager (Midwest)

Maggie was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Governor State University, providing a strong foundation in understanding complex systems, people, and organizational dynamics. She brings over 12 years of experience in business development, specializing in driving strategic growth across manufacturing, technology, and government sectors. She excels in leadership and consistent partnership development with her clients. In her current work, Maggie partners with nonprofit leaders across the Midwest to solve one of their most critical challenges: securing consistent, strategic funding. She works alongside mission-driven organizations to identify the right funding opportunities, strengthen their positioning, and build sustainable growth strategies. Her focus is not just on winning grants, but on creating long-term funding success that allows organizations to scale their impact with confidence. Maggie enjoys fitness and being a dog mom.

Maggie Golias

Business Development Manager (Midwest)

Maggie was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Governor State University, providing a strong foundation in understanding complex systems, people, and organizational dynamics. She brings over 12 years of experience in business development, specializing in driving strategic growth across manufacturing, technology, and government sectors. She excels in leadership and consistent partnership development with her clients.

In her current work, Maggie partners with nonprofit leaders across the Midwest to solve one of their most critical challenges: securing consistent, strategic funding. She works alongside mission-driven organizations to identify the right funding opportunities, strengthen their positioning, and build sustainable growth strategies. Her focus is not just on winning grants, but on creating long-term funding success that allows organizations to scale their impact with confidence. Maggie enjoys fitness and being a dog mom.

Donald Kropfelder

Business Development Manager (Maryland)

Donald is a veteran nonprofit and community development professional with more than three decades of experience building relationships, growing fundraising efforts, and advancing mission-driven initiatives. Known for connecting organizations with donors, volunteers, corporate sponsors, and community leaders, he helps expand philanthropic support and drive lasting community impact. Widely respected for fostering authentic partnerships, Donald brings a relationship-centered approach to nonprofit leadership rooted in thoughtful stewardship, collaboration, and community engagement.

Donald Kropfelder

Business Development Manager (Maryland)

Donald is a veteran nonprofit and community development professional with more than three decades of experience building relationships, growing fundraising efforts, and advancing mission-driven initiatives. Known for connecting organizations with donors, volunteers, corporate sponsors, and community leaders, he helps expand philanthropic support and drive lasting community impact.

Widely respected for fostering authentic partnerships, Donald brings a relationship-centered approach to nonprofit leadership rooted in thoughtful stewardship, collaboration, and community engagement.

Lisa Weaver

Director of Business Development

Lisa holds a dual Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology, grounding her work in a deep understanding of people, communities, and social systems. She brings nearly a decade of experience in leadership, training, and strategic development, with a strong focus on mission-driven organizations. Her background includes building and stewarding relationships with stakeholders, supporting fundraising and program growth, and working closely with boards and leadership to advance organizational impact with integrity, accountability, and compassion.

Lisa Weaver

Director of Business Development

Lisa holds a dual Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology, grounding her work in a deep understanding of people, communities, and social systems. She brings nearly a decade of experience in leadership, training, and strategic development, with a strong focus on mission-driven organizations. Her background includes building and stewarding relationships with stakeholders, supporting fundraising and program growth, and working closely with boards and leadership to advance organizational impact with integrity, accountability, and compassion.

Nicete Moodie

Director of Client Success

Nicete ensures every client experience is smooth, responsive, and well-organized from first contact through submission and follow-up. She serves as a primary point of communication, coordinating timelines, managing requests, and keeping information flowing clearly between clients and the grant team. Nicete supports onboarding, tracks deadlines and deliverables, and helps maintain accurate client records and portals so nothing falls through the cracks. With a steady, service-oriented approach, she helps clients feel informed and supported while enabling the team to stay focused on strategy, writing, and results.

Nicete Moodie

Director of Client Success

Nicete ensures every client experience is smooth, responsive, and well-organized from first contact through submission and follow-up. She serves as a primary point of communication, coordinating timelines, managing requests, and keeping information flowing clearly between clients and the grant team. Nicete supports onboarding, tracks deadlines and deliverables, and helps maintain accurate client records and portals so nothing falls through the cracks. With a steady, service-oriented approach, she helps clients feel informed and supported while enabling the team to stay focused on strategy, writing, and results.

Reverend Kim Lagree

Director of Private Funding

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras eu elit efficitur, cursus est id, semper augue. Praesent nec volutpat nulla. Donec feugiat velit sit amet elit varius lacinia. Nam semper, metus non imperdiet placerat, massa magna vehicula urna, et tempor justo nibh nec magna. Fusce scelerisque, lectus id auctor malesuada, est mauris blandit neque, a viverra tellus diam in tortor. Ut ac dolor et risus aliquet scelerisque sed sollicitudin augue. Morbi nec purus at dui luctus gravida quis nec augue. Cras luctus justo eu est luctus, ac pharetra diam posuere. Etiam enim arcu, volutpat euismod ligula sed, vulputate rhoncus velit. Nunc ultricies interdum massa, non tincidunt arcu porta sit amet.

Reverend Kim Lagree

Director of Private Funding

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras eu elit efficitur, cursus est id, semper augue. Praesent nec volutpat nulla. Donec feugiat velit sit amet elit varius lacinia. Nam semper, metus non imperdiet placerat, massa magna vehicula urna, et tempor justo nibh nec magna. Fusce scelerisque, lectus id auctor malesuada, est mauris blandit neque, a viverra tellus diam in tortor. Ut ac dolor et risus aliquet scelerisque sed sollicitudin augue. Morbi nec purus at dui luctus gravida quis nec augue. Cras luctus justo eu est luctus, ac pharetra diam posuere. Etiam enim arcu, volutpat euismod ligula sed, vulputate rhoncus velit. Nunc ultricies interdum massa, non tincidunt arcu porta sit amet.

Apryl Alston

Director of Public Funding

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Apryl Alston

Director of Public Funding

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras eu elit efficitur, cursus est id, semper augue. Praesent nec volutpat nulla. Donec feugiat velit sit amet elit varius lacinia. Nam semper, metus non imperdiet placerat, massa magna vehicula urna, et tempor justo nibh nec magna. Fusce scelerisque, lectus id auctor malesuada, est mauris blandit neque, a viverra tellus diam in tortor. Ut ac dolor et risus aliquet scelerisque sed sollicitudin augue. Morbi nec purus at dui luctus gravida quis nec augue. Cras luctus justo eu est luctus, ac pharetra diam posuere. Etiam enim arcu, volutpat euismod ligula sed, vulputate rhoncus velit. Nunc ultricies interdum massa, non tincidunt arcu porta sit amet.

Cassie Lilly

Executive Director of Strategic Funding

Cassie Lilly is a grant writer and development strategist with a Master’s of Science in Nonprofit Fundraising Management from Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers). She specializes in humanitarian aid and children’s programs, with a strong focus on hunger and food insecurity. Cassie brings a rare blend of strategic thinking, compelling storytelling, and practical execution to every client engagement. She is currently pursuing her MBA with a concentration in Adaptive Leadership and Social Change. Based in Baltimore, she lives with her dachshund, Norman, and a large, unruly plant collection.

Cassie Lilly

Executive Director of Strategic Funding

Cassie Lilly is a grant writer and development strategist with a Master’s of Science in Nonprofit Fundraising Management from Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers). She specializes in humanitarian aid and children’s programs, with a strong focus on hunger and food insecurity. Cassie brings a rare blend of strategic thinking, compelling storytelling, and practical execution to every client engagement. She is currently pursuing her MBA with a concentration in Adaptive Leadership and Social Change. Based in Baltimore, she lives with her dachshund, Norman, and a large, unruly plant collection.

Phil Kline

Director of Operations

Phil served six years in the Air Force as a military police officer, specializing in anti-terrorism and overseas base security operations. With deep experience in security management and leading large teams, he brings a disciplined, mission-driven approach to his work. As a Leadership & Strategy Consultant, Phil focuses on each client’s organizational priorities and long-term objectives, guiding them through complex initiatives with the same strategic clarity and operational rigor that defined his military career. Detail-oriented and approachable, Phil is friendly, responsive, and ready to support clients at every stage of the process.

Phil Kline

Director of Operations

Phil served six years in the Air Force as a military police officer, specializing in anti-terrorism and overseas base security operations. With deep experience in security management and leading large teams, he brings a disciplined, mission-driven approach to his work. As a Leadership & Strategy Consultant, Phil focuses on each client’s organizational priorities and long-term objectives, guiding them through complex initiatives with the same strategic clarity and operational rigor that defined his military career. Detail-oriented and approachable, Phil is friendly, responsive, and ready to support clients at every stage of the process.

Matthew Goodman

Chief Operating Officer

Matt is the operational backbone of KG, overseeing the internal systems and execution strategies that allow the firm to deliver elite results. In this role, he draws on over a decade of experience in the private security sector, where he rose to Director of Operations and commanded large-scale safety, risk mitigation, and crisis response initiatives. This background in high-stakes environments defines his leadership style: a focus on precision, absolute reliability, and proactive problem-solving.

Matthew Goodman

Chief Operating Officer

Matt is the operational backbone of KG, overseeing the internal systems and execution strategies that allow the firm to deliver elite results. In this role, he draws on over a decade of experience in the private security sector, where he rose to Director of Operations and commanded large-scale safety, risk mitigation, and crisis response initiatives. This background in high-stakes environments defines his leadership style: a focus on precision, absolute reliability, and proactive problem-solving.

Jared M. Krieger

Chief Executive Officer

Jared is a grant-writing leader with 5+ years across federal, state, and private funding and an MBA. He holds a B.A. in Homeland Security, an M.S. in Homeland Security & Disaster Management, and board certifications in Security Management and Physical Security. Jared has authored 1,000+ proposals with a success rate above 90%, securing $100M+ for clients. He has built a team that backs its work with a money-back guarantee—because they know how to craft compliant, funder-aligned proposals that get approved. Jared blends rigorous compliance, straightforward storytelling, and strategic judgment to deliver results.

Jared M. Krieger

Chief Executive Officer

Jared is a grant-writing leader with 5+ years across federal, state, and private funding and an MBA. He holds a B.A. in Homeland Security, an M.S. in Homeland Security & Disaster Management, and board certifications in Security Management and Physical Security. Jared has authored 1,000+ proposals with a success rate above 90%, securing $100M+ for clients. He has built a team that backs its work with a money-back guarantee—because they know how to craft compliant, funder-aligned proposals that get approved. Jared blends rigorous compliance, straightforward storytelling, and strategic judgment to deliver results.