ABOUT US
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.
Melody Hernandez | Founder
Mary Powelson | Consultant
With over 25 years of experience in education, development, and communications, Mary is firmly rooted in nonprofit management and advocacy. Her fundraising background includes development department management, grant writing/project management, individual giving programs, emerging nonprofit guidance, donor CRM management, communications, and professional development/training services. She has worked with schools, religious communities as well as environmental, youth development and arts organizations. Based in New York City, she guides small theatre arts organizations and is a Board member of Hudson Valley’s Greenwood Lake Theater. A lifelong artist and writer, Mary is a passionate steward of the Theatre, advocating for its impactful place in all communities.
Alana Black | Writer and Editor
Alana Black is a writer, editor, and communications strategist with a passion for helping nonprofit organizations connect meaningfully with their audiences, including the communities they serve and potential funders. As a consultant and on staff, Alana has helped BIPOC-led arts and culture organizations create and implement successful digital strategies for improved reach, and secure funding for general operating support and programming. When she’s not working, you can find her writing fiction and humor, heading uphill on a run or hike, or eating something delicious.
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:
R³ will create a customized list of 20–30 institutional funding opportunities (foundations and corporations) that align with your organization’s mission and programs. We will vet and expand your list of funding opportunities, using professional tools and resources including listservs and paid databases as well as our extensive knowledge of and experience with funders. Each funder will be ranked (high, medium, or low) based on alignment and likelihood of success, with key details clearly outlined: deadlines, cultivation steps, reporting requirements, and other essential tasks to support relationship-building and proposal submission.
Potential Funder Research
Total Cost of Project:
$4000
Payment Schedule:
Installment #1 (50%) – Due upon contract signing
Installment #2 (50%) – Due upon project completion
2. Strategic Fundraising Plan
R³ will interview key team members to understand your organizational goals, funding landscape, internal capacity, and existing assets. We will assess your strengths and identify opportunities to deepen fund development efforts across multiple channels. Using insights from these conversations—coupled with research using professional tools and resources (i.e. listservs, paid databases, etc.)—R³ will develop a one-year strategic plan that supports engagement with both current and prospective institutional funders (foundations and corporations), while also strengthening fundraising strategies such as individual giving, crowdfunding, special events, and donor stewardship. The plan will be divided into quarterly action plans, each outlining deadlines, cultivation tasks, reporting requirements, and other key activities to support sustainable relationship-building and successful revenue generation.
Total Cost of Project:
$10,000
Payment Schedule:
Installment #1 (50%) – Due upon contract signing
Installment #2 (25%) – Due upon completion of first draft
Installment #3 (25%) – Due upon project completion
Monthly Rate:
$500/month – Includes bi-weekly 60-minute check-ins, weekly email support, and quarterly progress reports
$1,000/month – Includes weekly 60-minute check-ins, weekly email support, and monthly progress reports
3. Grant Writing Services
R³ provides grant writing and editing as well as project management (including all research, communication, and submission tasks) of grant applications to institutional funders. The process begins with a one-hour interview with the client’s designated point person to gather key information about current project goals and funding needs. Using this input—along with relevant data and insights from thorough research—R³ crafts compelling proposals that align with funders’ priorities. To maximize the chances of success, clear role assignments are established: one team member is responsible for project management tasks such as coordinating meetings, gathering supporting documents, creating or reviewing budgets, organizing checklists and files, submitting the application, and managing document filing and communication; while a separate team member serves as the lead writer, focusing fully on crafting the proposal without the distractions of project management. The client’s point person reviews drafts and provides approval or feedback for revisions. R³ continues refining the proposal until it receives final approval and is ready for submission.
Hourly Rate: $225 per hour
Total Cost of Project:
$175 per hour to maintain existing funding
$225 per hour to increase funding
4. Comprehensive Grant Services
R³ will interview key team members to understand your organizational goals, funding landscape, internal capacity, and existing assets. We will assess your strengths and identify opportunities to deepen fund development efforts across multiple channels. Using insights from these conversations—coupled with research using professional tools and resources (i.e. listservs, paid databases, etc.)—R³ will develop a one-year strategic plan that supports engagement with both current and prospective institutional funders (foundations and corporations), while also strengthening fundraising strategies such as individual giving, crowdfunding, special events, and donor stewardship. The plan will be divided into quarterly action plans, each outlining deadlines, cultivation tasks, reporting requirements, and other key activities to support sustainable relationship-building and successful revenue generation.
Note: This service requires a pre-approved annual allocation of hours or a set dollar amount, which will be billed against on a monthly basis.
5. Coaching Services
R³ provides strategic, personalized coaching designed to strengthen individual and team capacity across all aspects of grant work. Coaching includes goal setting, skill development, and ongoing support tailored to the coachee’s needs, with collaborative engagement from those who oversee their work to ensure alignment with organizational priorities and professional growth. Regular check-ins—held weekly or biweekly—help track progress, address challenges, and refine coaching strategies as needed.
Hourly Rate: $225 per hour
Monthly Rate:
$500/month for up to two 60-minute scheduled sessions
and up to four emails/texts/quick call check-ins in-between
$1,000/month for up to four 60-minute scheduled sessions
and up to ten emails/texts/quick call check-ins in-between
6. Thought Partnership/Strategy Sessions
R³ will provide high-level guidance for your organization, programs, and projects through dedicated strategy sessions and thought partnership. This support can be offered as a standalone service or integrated into other services. This service provides big-picture organizational direction, focus on systems and processes and is distinct from specific fund development tasks or activities.
Hourly Rate: $225 per hour
7. Grant Readiness
R³ will ensure your organization is well-prepared to apply for funding by helping you develop clear and compelling project descriptions, benefit/need statements, goals and outcomes, and required attachments—both for individual projects and for your organization as a whole. This service includes a comprehensive audit of your current processes, language, and materials, as well as a review of declined proposals to identify areas for improvement. Included in this service is support with compliance (local, state, and federal) as it relates to fund development work such as navigating state charity registration, business registration, SAM registration, etc.
Hourly Rate: $175 per hour
8. Individual Donor/Major Gifts
R³ will help you build and strengthen your individual donor program – including creating tailored SOPs (standard operating procedures), cultivating major donor relationships, developing targeted campaigns, and optimizing donor management systems. We provide a tailored approach designed to fit your organization’s unique needs and goals, while streamlining efforts to seamlessly integrate individual giving with your existing grant fundraising work for a cohesive development strategy.
Monthly Rate:
$500/month for organizations with annual budgets under $2 million
$1,000/month for organizations with annual budgets over $2 million
9. Grant Tracking
R³ will help make sure your organization runs smoothly by tracking deadlines, pre- and post-award grant documentation, and clear communication among team members. The service includes a centralized calendar of application, reporting, and renewal deadlines; tracking of funder communications and submission statuses; document management for proposals, budgets, reports, and award letters; weekly reminders and alerts for key dates; performance tracking against grant goals and metrics; and summaries for internal stakeholders to assess progress and forecast revenue.
Rates vary and are based on project requirements
10. Trainings
R³ offers customized training sessions designed to meet the unique needs and goals of each organization. Sessions may include hands-on skill-building activities, interactive learning, team-building exercises, and content tailored to specific audiences. R³ has extensive experience delivering trainings to Board members, program staff, emerging and seasoned grant professionals, artists, service providers, government agencies, and funders.
Here is a list of Clients R³ has worked with:
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