“Thank you, Mary, for teaching me to dream, …and for inspiring me to keep the faith and move forward.”
Judy Reed, Ph.D.
Principal
Dane County Transition Schools
Madison, Wisconsin
“Our Out of School proposal to the Miami Children’s Trust ranked 8th best out of 160 applications. Many organizations that have historically received Trust funds suffered drastically reduced budgets. Some were not funded at all. In fact, the Trust only funded 80 of the 160 proposals. We were awarded $978,000 for the period of August 1, 2008 to July 31, 2009…
We credit Mary with assisting us in presenting our case for continued funding in a climate of budget cuts.”
Rev. Linda P. Freeman
Executive Director
Peacemaker Family Center
Trinity Church
Miami, Florida
“I have leaned heavily on Ms. Costello’s experience, counsel, and strategy recommendations for all aspects of NAPS functioning. While not an exhaustive list, she has offered invaluable advice and support related to organizational structure and management, Board development needs, marketing and communications, legal and tax status protection, and anticipated non-profit funding challenges. Her contributions have saved us from costly mistakes and helped us make best use of our limited resources. Above all, we are more focused today, and we are moving forward with greater confidence in our abilities and decision-making.
On a personal note, having served as a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service for almost a decade, the term “trust” is not one that I use lightly when defining a person. For my line of work in the safety and security industry, I make it a point to ensure that I have a comfortable feel for an individual before I begin to trust them. As such, I hope you understand the weight of my words when I say that I trust Mary Costello. She has proven to me that her actions are selfless in nature, that she understands the meaning of accountability and responsibility, and that she believes that a person’s integrity is paramount in professional and personal relationships.
I hope that you will offer Mary Costello the opportunity to show you how impressive she is. I genuinely believe that she will exceed your highest expectations, as she did mine.”
Jason Wells
President and Co-Founder
National Advancements for Proactive Safety, Inc.
Columbia, Maryland
“I recommend Mary Costello without qualification to anyone who needs assistance in writing proposals and advice on how to manage nonprofit organizations. In her work on the Boys Project, she not only wrote a fantastic funding application, but showed me how to write a proposal in far more attractive ways than I had ever known how to do. She also gave me most valuable advice on how to make judgments about setting up nonprofit corporations.
Another virtue of Ms. Costello is her immediate replies to any queries you send her. She also goes beyond the call of duty to provide information on relevant grant opportunities. She is generous with her time, does not insist on payment for every piece of information, and is committed to the greater good that we are trying to do in the Boys Project.
I have recommended her to other nonprofits, and they are thrilled with her work.”
Judith Kleinfeld, Ed. D.
(former) Professor of Psychology
Director, The Boys Project
University of Alaska-Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska
“For the hourly price investment, we get more than grants written; Mary gives us direction, efficiency, and relevance to a broad audience. Mary’s results are more than grants received. Where the message we would have created without Mary might have compelled a few people to give donations in the hundreds of dollars, Mary resonated our message to compel dozens of persons and corporations to give gifts in the thousands of dollars.
What I like about working with Mary is that the process is invigorating. Not only does she write, …she directs and leads. Today we know more about our mission than we did when we first looked at her website. I knew the competition is great, and what we wanted was a competitive edge. To get that… Mary showed us how to change our selves.”
Tom Meyer
Executive Director/Founder
The Aaron Meyer Foundation
Madison, Wisconsin
“As Vice-President of a start-up nonprofit organization, I had need of a capable and qualified grant writer. Mary proved to be that and more.
I was initially impressed with Mary because, even though it was clear from her resume that she had many years of experience and impressive credentials, she didn’t fall into the trap of “overselling.” In other words, even though a number of prospective grant writers assured me without hesitation that they could secure funding on behalf of my organization, Mary was more circumspect in her response, and I appreciated her honesty. I knew right away she wasn’t one of those individuals who promise you the moon but never seem to deliver.
Once we began working together, I can honestly say that I found Mary to be both a valuable resource and a pleasure to work with. She was responsive, enthusiastic, and completely professional. The wide range of skills and talents Mary brought to the table provided many tangible benefits to my organization. In addition to grant writing, Mary proved to be a skilled grant researcher. She was able to identify and pass along an impressive list of possible funding sources. Mary also provided us with sound advice in areas ranging from program development to website design. Her contributions were significant and timely.
I would, without hesitation, recommend Mary Costello to anyone who has the need of a skilled professional to provide services relevant to grant writing or building an organization.”
Steve Wallace
Vice-President
Daughter For The Day, Inc.
Fort Washington, Maryland
“In the time that we have been working together, I have found Mary Costello’s experience, knowledge, and personal insight to be invaluable. Mary is the person who has kept me motivated and encouraged, and she has always made me feel that I am not alone in my cause. She goes above and beyond what is required of her to help her clients and is not your typical 9-5 person. She does what is necessary to get the job done.
Her passion for what she does is obvious. The excellent results of her work attest to that fact. Her personal attention to every detail allows her to discover all the possibilities for our cause. I have and will continue to consult with her on every aspect of my organization.
I hold my relationship with Mary in the highest regard and respect, both personally and professionally. You will never meet a person more committed to you and your success.”
Carol Larinto
Executive Director/Founder
New Life Resources
Riverside, California