Rubber City Development Consulting

Akron Rooted, International Reach

We help organizations turn big ideas into real, sustainable funding—without the burnout, guesswork, or endless chasing.

Whether you need a stronger grant strategy, a fundraising system that actually works, or leadership to steady the ship while you grow, RCDC steps in where it matters most. Our team cares deeply about the work you’re doing, and we are just as serious about making sure it’s funded, supported, and built to last.

$30 Million Raised Since 2020

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Grant Writing

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Fundraising

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Strategic Planning

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Fractional Leadership

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Grant Writing ✳︎ Fundraising ✳︎ Strategic Planning ✳︎ Fractional Leadership ✳︎

Our Services

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  • If you want to write your own grants but want to do it right.

    What’s included:

    • 2 visioning sessions to lock in your messaging and positioning

    • 1 budget session to get your numbers clear and usable

    • A plug-and-play grant boilerplate you can reuse across applications

    • A 12-month grant pipeline aligned with your work

    • A usable, proposal-ready budget (new or refined)

    You handle the writing. I make sure everything behind it actually works.

    Investment: $2,500

  • This is for organizations that want a steady partner in their fundraising, not just one-off support.

    Together, we’ll:

    • Maintain and manage a strong, aligned grant pipeline

    • Develop and submit 2+ proposals or letters of interest each month (or one larger federal/state application)

    • Strengthen and refine your budget as your work grows

    • Meet regularly with your team to stay aligned and responsive

    • Create the materials you need to tell your story clearly (logic models, statements of need, and more)

    • Build a library of language and tools to make future applications easier

    • Adapt and expand support as your needs evolve

    Consistent, thoughtful support so your funding strategy grows with you.

    Investment: Monthly retainers starting at $1,000 per month (depending on how many grants are written)

  • You don’t need to rush into a full-time hire to get serious about fundraising.

    With Nicole’s fractional leadership, you get experienced, high-level development strategy immediately (without the overhead). No long hiring process, no benefits package, no guesswork about whether someone can actually deliver.

    What you get:

    • Senior-level fundraising strategy and leadership

    • A clear, prioritized development plan

    • Active management of your grant pipeline and submissions

    • Budget alignment and revenue planning

    • Systems that make your fundraising repeatable and sustainable

    • Guidance for staff and board to strengthen internal capacity

    This is a faster, more cost-effective way to build a real development function; without compromising on expertise.

    Investment: $3,000+ per month

  • When you’re in the day-to-day of your work, it’s hard to step back and see the full picture. Strategic planning creates that space; with structure, clarity, and intention.

    Together, we’ll:

    • Define what matters most for your organization’s next phase

    • Identify opportunities for growth and alignment

    • Set clear, achievable goals

    • Ensure your strategy reflects your capacity and resources

    • Create a plan your team understands and can actually use

    Thoughtful, practical planning; so your next steps feel clear and grounded.

    Investment: $2,000+

Case Studies