ABOUT US

The principal of Write Connections, LLC is Maureen A. Ryan, a service-oriented business and education professional with more than 30 years combined experience in grant development, writing and administration working with non-profit agencies, community- and faith-based groups and for-profit companies. Maureen has raised more than $120 million in federal, state and city/county government and corporate and private foundation grants for nonprofits in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Grants have been secured for programs and initiatives related to work in the fields of arts and culture, animal welfare, human/social services, K-12 and post-secondary education, STEM education, workforce development and career exploration, manufacturing, technology, engineering, biotechnology, energy, community and economic development, science and physical and behavioral healthcare. 

Maureen is a recognized professional for her original approach to conceptualizing and developing unique and innovative grant proposals that focus on partnerships and achievable project outcomes. Maureen earned her bachelor’s degree in Humanities from the University of Pittsburgh and her Master’s in Business Administration from Point Park University, and currently holds memberships with the Association of Fundraising Professionals –Western PA Chapter, The Grant Professionals Association, and The Foundation Center, Washington, D.C. (Platinum).  Write Connections, LLC is registered as professional fundraising counsel with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations.

Maureen takes very seriously her client relationships and has established Write Connections to be responsive, knowledgeable and flexible when working with organizations of all sizes – from small community-based groups to large national organizations. 

Since 2014, Rachel Ness has been involved in the nonprofit sector, where she discovered her passion for grant writing and research. She enjoys working behind the scenes to empower the important work being done by nonprofits, and has supported a variety of missions, including public health services, human services, and environmental preservation. She holds a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Georgia State University, which lends a humanistic and person-centered approach to her grant writing. 

As a Grant Associate, Rachel supports the creation of compelling grant narratives and is the lead on funding prospect research to help clients identify funding opportunities that are well aligned to their mission.