Strategic fundraising for lasting impact.
Jennifer Chen
Jenn helps community-based organizations strengthen institutional fundraising so they can expand services, deepen impact, and better support the communities they serve.
With more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit development, Jenn brings expertise in foundation, corporate, and government grants, along with a collaborative approach grounded in strategy, relationship building, and storytelling.
Jenn partners with nonprofit leadership and development teams to develop competitive grant proposals, build viable prospect pipelines, strengthen grants systems and boilerplate materials, and train staff in grant writing, prospect research, funder cultivation, and AI supported fundraising.
Her work is especially focused on helping organizations build long-term fundraising capacity and stronger internal development teams.
Prior to launching her consulting practice in 2019, Jenn served for over 10 years as Director of Grants at Huckleberry Youth Programs, where she led major public and private institutional fundraising efforts, including federal, state, local, foundation, and corporate grants.
Since starting her practice, Jenn has helped clients secure millions of dollars in funding, including major multi year government awards and renewed foundation support. In FY25 alone, her work with clients contributed to more than $3.75 million in grant awards from government, corporate, and foundation funders.
Past & Present Clients
The Richmond Neighborhood Center
San Francisco, California
Huckleberry Youth Programs
San Francisco & Marin, California
LYRIC Center for LGBTQQ+ Youth
San Francisco, California
TransCanWork
National
Athletic Scholars Advancement Program (ASAP)
Now Part of Mission Graduates
San Francisco, California
Global Emergency Care
Uganda
Ozone House
Ann Arbor & Ypsilanti, Michigan
Washtenaw County Community Mental Health
Michigan
Education
Master of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education
BA in Sociology, University of Michigan
Services
Trainings
Short, practical trainings for development staff and nonprofit teams:
Grant writing fundamentals for new and emerging staff
Foundation and corporate prospect research and pipeline building
Government grant writing for new and emerging staff
Using AI to support grant writing, including drafting, editing, and strengthening proposals
Team Support and Coaching
Customized, collaborative support to strengthen fundraising capacity and grant outcomes:
Grant writing and proposal development support
Prospect strategy and funding pipeline development
Government grant vetting and proposal development support
Boilerplate development, proposal review, and fundraising strategy support
Coaching for nonprofit leaders and development teams on institutional fundraising priorities
