Lauren Baer
Favorite inspirational quote:
“Much of the insensibility and hardness of the world is due to the lack of imagination which prevents a realization of the experiences of other people.”
— Jane Addams
Areas of expertise: Strategic writing, landscape analysis, grant writing and impact reporting, prospect research, donor/grantee relations, logic models and key performance indicators, policy and process development
Causes I’m most passionate about: Community development, education, poverty alleviation, economic mobility, access to food, access to affordable housing, foster care and adoption
My fundraising story: I have spent my career to date in the nonprofit sector and have held roles focused on strategy, impact assessment, development, and grant portfolio management in both grant-receiving and grantmaking organizations. A few years ago, I pursued a master’s in community development to better understand the theory and research behind the social stratification I have observed in my work. Through these experiences, I have often served as a bridge to make connections across initiatives and disciplines, and I have enjoyed engaging a spectrum of stakeholders, from service providers to philanthropic leaders and governing agencies. I am driven by a deep commitment to advance the well-being of people and communities through directing resources to projects that hold promise for effecting sustained change.
Why I care about helping nonprofits grow: History and experience have shown us that there is no silver bullet to solve complex systemic challenges. I believe that local leaders, who are embedded in their communities and implicitly understand community assets and needs, are often best positioned to champion lasting change. I consider it a privilege to partner with these leaders to refine strategies, cocreate solutions, collaborate across sectors, and secure the resources needed to do their work well.
Hobbies: Exploring new cities and towns, reading all different genres, & spending time outside—especially at the beach!
Unusual talent: I’m known for my pour-over coffee skills.
