Q.E.N. Strategic Consulting

Case Study
Fund Development & Grant Consulting

Next Step Development Corporation

“Quinn has been instrumental in helping me to be a better CEO and articulate our mission in a way that resonates with funders at all levels. The suggestions for grants and marketing pieces have been spot on! Because of my work with Quinn, I have been able to provide our board with clarity and a single message on our vision. We have worked with her for a year and will continue adding her consultancy business to our budget!”
 Wanda McArn
Executive Director

Next Step Development Corporation, a North Carolina–based housing nonprofit,
delivers community-rooted solutions for veterans and vulnerable populations experiencing homelessness. With a focus on sustainable development and dignified design, NSDC champions innovative models like tiny home communities to meet the urgent need for affordable housing.

Founded by a leader with deep personal ties to the veteran community,
the organization bridges government partnerships, private funding, and grassroots advocacy
to drive scalable, long-term impact.

The Challenge

Though Executive Director Wanda McArn had built strong community ties through NSDC, she was navigating fundraising, board engagement, and organizational growth largely on her own.

She needed a strategic partner to refine the organization’s messaging, deepen funder relationships, and build sustainable momentum.

The Approach

Over the course of a yearlong partnership, Q.E.N. provided strategic consulting, communications support, and coaching rooted in fund development strategy and social impact storytelling.

We helped Wanda and NSDC connect the dots across funding pipelines, stakeholder engagement, and leadership development, ensuring their voice, values, and vision came through clearly at every touchpoint.

Key Highlights

  • number13 Messaging & Narrative Strategy
  • number13 Funder & Investor Alignment
  • number13 Impact Storytelling
  • number13 Campaign Planning & Communications
  • number13 Strategic Coaching & Sounding Board
  • number13 Strategic Planning & Organizational Readiness
  • number13 Grant Calendar & Project Management

The Outcome

Through this engagement, Wanda gained clarity, structure, and momentum, not just for NSDC’s fund development efforts, but for her leadership overall.

With this strategic foundation in place, Wanda and NSDC are better positioned than ever to advance their mission, engage new funders, and lead transformational change in their community.

Want the full story?
Learn how we turned vision into fundable strategy—and strategy into action.

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If your organization is ready to move from scattered applications to a strategic fund development system and to tell your story in a way that truly resonates – Q.E.N. can help. Our Fund Development & Grant Consulting services offer hands-on, high-impact support that bridges your mission with the resources to fuel it.

Let’s build something sustainable together.

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