Funding Strategies That Resonate.

Resonant Strategies partners with purpose-driven nonprofits to strengthen grant programs, donor engagement, and development systems that sustain long-term impact.

Our Approach

Clarity. Integrity. Impact.

Resonant Strategies is a development consulting firm for nonprofits that are ready to strengthen how they fund their mission.

We do more than write grants. We help organizations design funding strategies that align programs, messaging, budgets, and internal systems so every opportunity pursued is intentional and well positioned.

As public funding tightens and competition increases, reactive grant writing is no longer enough. Nonprofits need clear priorities, strong infrastructure, and leadership-level strategy. We partner with executive teams and development leaders to build that foundation.

Based in Houston and serving clients nationwide, we provide full-spectrum development consulting, including:

  • Grant strategy and proposal development

  • Donor engagement and major gifts strategy

  • Development communications

  • Fundraising campaign and event planning

  • Grant readiness and infrastructure design

Our work strengthens internal capacity while advancing external funding. The result is sustainable growth, not one-off wins.

Because meaningful work deserves funding that lasts.

Who We Work With

We partner with growing and mid-sized nonprofits that want more than outsourced writing. Our clients are ready to:

  • Clarify funding priorities

  • Strengthen internal development systems

  • Align leadership and fundraising strategy

  • Build momentum toward their next stage of growth

We integrate with your team. We elevate your strategy. We help you move forward with focus.

Expertise you can count on.

Mission-driven organizations are often asked to do transformative work with limited and unpredictable resources. Survival mode may be common, but it is not sustainable, especially for the communities depending on you.

For more than two decades, Ashlie Contos has served at nonprofits fields including higher education, housing, food access, healthcare, and community development to secure transformative funding and strengthen internal capacity.

That work has helped organizations:

  • Secure $1.2M+ in HUD funding through #1 ranked Continuum of Care proposals for Safe Haven Family Shelter in Nashville, TN

  • Win Bank of America’s competitive national Neighborhood Builders® award for The Store in Nashville, TN

  • Attract major foundation investments from The Boston Foundation (2022), AMB West Philanthropies (2023), and the Hays and Ingram foundations (2024)

These outcomes were not simply about winning grants. They were about helping organizations clarify their strategy, align their messaging, and build the internal systems required to compete and sustain growth.

When funding strategy strengthens, programs stabilize. When systems improve, communities experience continuity, not disruption.

The same strategic discipline and partnership that supported those organizations can support yours.

A Strategic, Values-Aligned Approach

Whether your organization is preparing for growth, navigating transition, or ready to move beyond reactive fundraising, we meet you where you are.

We help you:

  • Align mission with funder and donor priorities

  • Translate impact into clear, credible narratives

  • Build development systems that support resilience and long-term stability

We do not chase funding for its own sake. We help you pursue the right opportunities, in the right way, at the right time.

Funding Secured From:

What They’re Saying

  • "When we held meetings, the questions Ashlie and Terri prepared were thorough and thought-provoking. The follow-up emails and tasks were sent quickly with deadlines and clear expectations. It is like having the most prepared, top-notch teammates! I was not expecting them to go beyond strategy and grant writing, but they actively tried to propel change especially at the highest level so that fundraising has a greater importance at our agency. I would work with them in the future, but they are hands down the best consultants I have worked with!"

    — TN Voices Development Team

  • "I had the pleasure of working with Ashlie on grant applications, project plans, and grant reports as part of the institutional giving team. I found Ashlie incredibly organized, collaborative, and has a refreshing writing style. She is rooted in service to the community and has intrinsic motivation to help others personally and professionally."

    — Emily Petoskey

  • I hired, trained, and supervised Ashlie in her role with The Phoenix. Ashlie stood out in the hiring process due to her strong writing and editing skills. Outside of her regularly assigned duties, Ashlie found time to lead programs as a volunteer and organize internal employee resources groups. She was an asset to the organization as an individual contributor, but also as a driver of positive culture.

    — Kyle Carter

  • "Ashlie worked diligently for her clients and was committed to providing the unique guidance that each needed. She also went above and beyond by taking on leadership roles within the organization's structure. Ashlie has excellent written and verbal communication skills, is extremely organized, can work independently, and is able to effectively multi-task to ensure that all projects are completed in a timely manner. She brings a warmth and creativity to her interactions with clients, which makes her an ideal candidate to handle problematic situations appropriately but with compassion.

    — Jennifer Dunn-Salisbury

Let’s start a conversation. We’re always happy to connect!

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