Jessica Stack is the founder of Haystack Essentials Collective, Inc., a grant writing consultancy that supports nonprofits and community-oriented organizations. Established during the COVID-19 pandemic, Haystack Essentials Collective emerged from Jessica’s desire to remain involved in the education sector while managing the demands of her household and children. Previously an elementary school teacher and executive assistant, Jessica transitioned to grant writing as a way to maintain her connection to education and community service.

Since its inception, Jessica’s firm has successfully secured over $7 million in funding for various organizations, from local nonprofits in Hawaii to clients across the mainland United States, including states such as Florida and New York. Although the firm does not have full-time employees, Jessica frequently collaborates with contractors, particularly new writers, to help them develop their skills and start their own practices. The firm primarily focuses on grant writing for small to mid-sized nonprofits with youth-oriented missions, such as education, arts, and environmental organizations, providing them with comprehensive grant strategy and writing services.

Before becoming an MBDA client, Jessica faced several challenges common to many small business owners transitioning from a non-profit or educational background. Jessica was accustomed to functioning as an employee rather than a business owner, which affected her confidence in running and scaling her consultancy. She found herself needing guidance on establishing a solid business foundation, such as navigating the complexities of transitioning from a sole proprietorship to an S corporation. Additionally, while Jessica’s grant writing services were in demand, she struggled with scaling her operations and managing the business side of her consultancy, such as financial planning and strategic growth.

After engaging with YWCA Oʻahu and participating in their Accelerator program, Jessica experienced significant growth and development. With the support and mentorship provided by Marla, Valerie, Mariko, and team members, Jessica’s firm saw a substantial increase in gross revenue. Haystack Essentials Collective surpassed the six-figure mark before entering the Accelerator and grew further to end the year with gross revenues of over $120,000. This growth enabled Jessica to hire her first virtual assistant and expand her team by bringing on more contract writers, increasing the firm’s capacity to serve more clients. The organizational structure improvements also allowed Jessica to become an S corporation, optimizing her business operations and financial management.

Additionally, YWCA Oʻahu helped Jessica refine her business strategy and cultivate a growth mindset, positioning her as a confident business leader. The firm’s success and commitment to high-quality, community-focused work have also led to increased recognition and affiliation with notable organizations such as Camp Mokuleia and the Hawaii State Department of Education. As a result, Jessica has been able to expand her impact, serving clients from Hawaii to New York, and continue her mission to help small and mid-sized nonprofits secure critical funding to support youth and education-focused initiatives.