Leslie dedicated her time and expertise to helping the many new business owners in starting up their companies. Prepared countless business plans and proposals. A savy business woman that the SBA Business Information Center benefited from having as an employee. I enjoyed working with her.
*March 16, 2010 Patti Barnett , Secretary , Flint Community Schools reported to Leslie at SBA Business Information Center
I would recommend Leslie Colston for any nonprofit website development, grant writing, fund development, or marketing project you may have available. Leslie has been a quality of excellence to the African American Inspiration (AAI) program. She is very creative and forthcoming with her ideas or suggestions on how we can better promote our activities. Leslie started out as a volunteer with AAI and the relationship blossomed into a ongoing contractual service relationship. Her energies for innovation and implementation are very empowering to whomever she comes in contact with. She is also a very loyal and dedicated professional with the highest of integrity. Her expertise in nonprofit development has truly been an asset to AAI and has saved us both time and money in areas needed. Again, if you get an opportunity to contract Leslie's services, do it, before someone else steps in line! Bettye Hendricks, Radio Host, African American Inspirations, http://www.aai2009.com
*February 12, 2010, Bettye Hendricks hired Leslie as a Graphic/Web Designer in 2008.
Leslie Colston participated in The Grantsmanship Center’s Competing for Federal Grants five-day workshop (www.tgci.com). As part of the workshop, teams of participants developed draft proposals for submission for federal grant programs. During this process Leslie was well organized and focused. Under her leadership the draft proposal was an initial step in a well argued grant proposal for a realistic and much-needed activity. The proposal has been submitted to the National Endowment of the Arts and awaits a funding decision.
*December 5, 2009, Charles Putney , Putney Andrews Associates, LLC , Principal taught Leslie at Grantsmanship Center
Leslie was very responsive when we asked her to help us access the high quality entertainment venue she represents. She immediately reached out to us and with her usual efficiency, she ensured our clients received tickets to an upcoming event. They delighted in her generosity and reported extraordinary pleasure participating in this play. Leslie was efficient and she recognized the need of her community. Many people report they value the dignity of others but Leslie acts on her belief as well. It was a pleasure to work with her and the Theatre she serves!
*November 22, 2009, Susan Schneberger , Executive Director , Wellness AIDS Services Inc
was with another company when working with Leslie at New McCree Theatre
Dear Ms. Colston: As Executive Director of Habitat for Safe Seniors, I want to personally thank you for all you have done for our non-profit organization. Your research providing resources for funding has been invaluable to our organization and certainly helps us to apply for various grants in order to fund Habitat for Safe Seniors. We appreciate you as a volunteer and look forward to working with you in the future. Thank you, Rondah A. Savage Executive Director
*October 29, 2009,Rondah Savage , Executive Director , Unlimited Design Resources, Inc.
was with another company when working with Leslie at Habitat for Safe Seniors
Leslie A. Colson has been an excellent student in the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy, the Fund Raising School's courses being sponsored by the BEST Organization and Pence Consulting. The series of courses that we are offering will allow our students to receive their Certificate in Fund Raising Management (CFRM). Leslie has successfully completed three of the four courses needed for her certificate. She completed Principles and Techniques of Fundraising in June, Interpersonal Communications for Fund Raising in June and Planned Giving in September. Leslie will be certified this fall as she completes her final course in the series. Leslies has a strong background in Fundraising and will be an asset the clients she serves.
*October 27, 2009, Carole Pence , Member of the Faculty of the Fund Raising School , The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University taught Leslie at The Fund Raising School.
Leslie did an awesome job as part of the Grantsmanship Center's training program as an active participant and leader of a group that developed a draft Health Literacy Grant proposal.
*November 18, 2009, Kevin Wiberg , Consulting Trainer , The Grantsmanship Center
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Leslie Colston and I worked together on a business plan for a mutual client. I was very impressed with her professionalism, competence and personality. As the accountant for this project I was responsible for providing financial information. She provided me with a very clear-cut and professional format to follow as well as communicated how the financials would be incorporated. It was great working with Leslie; she came to every meeting in a timely manner with a positive upbeat attitude.
*March 18, 2010, Andre Strater , Chief Accountant, Mark T. Auls Tax & Accounting Specialists
was with another company when working with Leslie at Grant$earchers™, LLC
Leslie Colston has tenaciously sought a fundraising education by taking multiple courses to hone her skills as a professional. It is obvious that she takes the ethical practice of philanthropy seriously. Her questions, level of engagement and energy in the courses I've taught have been unmatched. Leslie has a deep sense of seeking the science and art of fundraising coupled with a sincere commitment to the nonprofit sector. She is the kind of student every professor desires to have.
*March 16, 2010, Gasby Brown , Faculty Member , The Fund Raising School, Center on Philanthropy
taught Leslie at Indiana University Center on Philanthropy
It is with great pleasure that I give my personal recommendation for Leslie A. Colston. In my experience, her business consulting and grant writing services are invaluable. I found her to be consistently pleasant, tackling all projects with dedication and professionalism. Besides being a joy to work with, Leslie is a take-charge person who is able to effectively write and successfully develop grant proposals. Her creative ideas and writing style easily communicate the benefits of supporting the grant program. She is extremely knowledgeable in grant research essentials and the government application processes as well. She has successfully developed several grant proposals for our organization that was timely and of great quality work. I highly recommend Leslie for grant writing services. She is a team player and truly enjoys what she does. She would be a great asset to any organization.
*December 16, 2009, Violet James hired Leslie as a Grant Writer in 2009
I worked with Leslie Colston on the hit musical play, "Purlie," where she served The New McCree Theatre as Marketing Director and I was hired on as a resident Director. As President and Artistic Director for 501c.3, Buku Productions Theatre Company, I sometimes job myself out to other theatre companies as a Director. My association with The New McCree Theatre in Flint, MI. as Director of "Purlie," was made a lot easier thanks to Leslie's award-winning Marketing skills. She attained McCree's first national funding per the National Endowment for the Arts grant for "Purlie," which allowed us to perform the show at McCree and two touring presentations in Saginaw at Saginaw Valley State University and at Millennium Centre in Southfield, Michigan (Detroit area). Leslie secured exposure for the play via interviews in the printed and electronic media. This exposure went a long way toward the success of the theatrical presentations. I am a very grateful recipient of Leslie Colston's expertise and have benefited from her professional resolve. She approached our project from the Marketing and Public Relations perspective and succeeded on both fronts. Of course, her success with the play, "Purlie," means all of us involved also succeeded, thanks in great part to Leslie Colston. Sincerely grateful, Reuben Yabuku, Artistic Director Buku Productions Theatre Co., Inc. P.O. Box 27573 Detroit, MI 48227 313. 736. BUKU
*December 3, 2009, Reuben Yabuku , Artistic Director , Buku Productions Theatre Company, Inc.
worked with Leslie at New McCree Theatre
Ms. Colston is a very highly-skilled, tireless, and effective marketing and development professional who places a very high value on research and preparation. Her well-rounded knowledge base complements her experience in grantswriting, developing marketing strategies, and implementing development projects. Her workmanship and professionalism serves to motivate those around her to reach higher. She deserves, and has my highest recommendation.
*October 25, 2009, Charles Winfrey , Executive Director , The "New" McCree Theatre
managed Leslie at New McCree Theatre
Over the years, Leslie A. Colston has reached her professional peak as an award winning grant writer. She has developed an innate ability to match grant applicant needs with strong potential funding entities. Leslie is among a short list of grant writers that I would recommend for any type of grant professional work--public or private sector. She has earned her dues in this field and should be recognized as an equal colleague. Investing in Leslie A. Colston is well worth any potential client's return on their investment.
*October 25, 2009, Dr. Bev Browning , CEO , BBA, Inc. dba Bev Browning & Associates
was with another company when working with Leslie at BBA, Inc. dba Bev Browning & Associates
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