strategist. funder. creative. director.
hi, my name is Maacah (pronounced MOCK-ah), and I'm a grant-maker whose original international arts grant (The Garden Grant) is supported by The Ford Foundation, and which inspired The Verdant Fund by Space One Eleven. on the front end, The Garden Grant funds cool ideas by "unusual suspects." on the back end, we model good behavior for bigger funders by funding folks without requiring them to be 501c3s, and encouraging more funders to write bigger checks with fewer restrictions. (one of the coolest interpretations I've ever heard from someone in response to my saying this is, "oh, so you're like a rogue angel," referencing the fact that I am entirely independent--unaffiliated with any traditional institutions--and catalytic in my funding, the way that angel investors are. and, honestly, I should make merch out of that)
to clarify: I am not a grant-writer. I do not write applications for grants. I write checks. and, I consult with funders, leaders, and decision-makers who want to fund equitably and efficiently, because I like reminding showrunners and game-makers that they don't have to do things the way they've always been done. you can, in fact, choose to do things differently. challenge the rules. rewrite the playbook. so, reach out to me to deploy philanthropic dollars, and/or if you're familiar with "DAFs," "family offices," "impact-investing," and "trust-based philanthropy."
industry agnostic. Jill-of-all-trades.
my specialty? being able to see the forest and the trees! you save so much time, money, and energy by taking a little bit of time up front to address preventable mishaps, instead of trying to build your parachute after you've jumped out of the plane. sounds obvious, right? and yet. if everyone were doing it, I wouldn't be able to bill for it.
whether I'm originating an accessible grant-making program; or, rebranding a 20 y.o. mortgage company; or, consulting with a small business owner who is a solo practitioner; or, defining your identity; or, producing an international dinner party series, I'm the bridge from concept to execution.
I also host salons where I facilitate critical cultural conversations over tea; and, I throw dinner parties that platform women chefs + blow-out parties that feature, celebrate, and pay diverse creatives. as an aside, I create social media content for big brands and small businesses; and, I've styled food in print and video for publications like Food & Wine and Essence magazines. I love saying yes to random things--like that national campaign for an LA-based apparel brand I was in one time, so tap me in for random fun ideas.
a toast: shout out to that one semester I spent on the paper in high school, a literal lifetime ago. having to teach myself how to use InDesign came in handy years later, when I published the print fashion magazine that became the foundation of the nontraditional creative career I've built for myself. cheers--to being a nonlinear success!
after reading all of that, it might not surprise you to discover that you can also find me blogging about my life with ADHD on various social media platforms--but primarily, my own: this one. if you value my words, support me here.
all of my money goes to the Garden Grant, anyway.