Clients & Testimonials

Below is a sampling of quotes from some of my clients and workshop participants over the last several years.

I am grateful to those quoted below, as well my other wonderful clients and training participants, for your active commitment to a better world.

You inspire me!

Development and Communications Coaching

"GrubStreet started working with Jenn Hayslett over a year ago to get expert strategy advice for our campaign to build a major creative writing center on the waterfront in Boston. Jenn has been an enormous help to us, providing insightful thought-partnership and deep experience in donor-centered fundraising that builds stronger relationships and always returns to our mission of artistry and equity.

Now that we're facing new challenges in the time of Covid, Jenn's brilliant advice is more crucial than ever as we work to provide more free programs and support to our community of writers and readers."

- Stephanie Poggi, Development Director, GrubStreet

"Jenn saw in me what I couldn’t see in myself. She worked with my strengths and compassionately supported my growth in the areas I needed to develop. As a supervisor, I now employ these positive management skills and my team is thriving. Jenn has supported me in building my confidence to become a successful leader and fundraiser."

- Dawn Hayes, Director of Development & Philanthropy, DOVE (Domestic Violence Ended), Inc.

"Working with Jenn is an absolute pleasure. Her coaching has helped me to gain confidence in donor relations specifically when seeking major gifts. She took the time to get to know me as a person and as an Executive Director - and to fully understand the mission of my organization, so she can help me articulate our work to donors. I highly recommend Jenn to others who are looking to strengthen their fundraising and donor development strategies."

- Sam Drazin, Executive Director, Changing Perspectives

"As a new Development Director, my ideas were headed in the right direction, but needed refinement and guidance - working with Jenn did exactly that! Jenn truly listened to what SafeArt needed in the moment and catered each meeting to reach those goals. Using her years of experience, she helped educate me and left me feeling inspired and encouraged."

- Cleopatra Griffin, Co-Director, SafeArt

“Jenn has been a great coach and ally as we seek to expand our base of engaged investors, helping us to see opportunities and giving us tested tools to reach them.”

- Peter Allison, Executive Director, FINE - Farm to Institution New England

Trainings and Workshops

"I cannot speak highly enough about Jenn as a facilitator. She's thoughtful, engaging, energetic, and strikes the appropriate balance of sharing content and engaging the group. Multi-hour convenings at times can feel long and over the top, but with Jenn, time always seems to fly!"

- Bethany Guen, Director of Development and Communications, Boston Collegiate Charter School

“Jenn is a highly skilled, experienced, and energetic presenter, with a wonderful way of encouraging participation and interaction... I heard nothing but rave reviews from our board members, who tell me they feel much more prepared to not only 'make the ask' but also to deepen relationships with our donors. I recommend her to other organizations without hesitation!"

- Rebecca Mooney, Executive Director Melrose Alliance Against Violence

Testimonials about the Fundraising and Development Certificate Program

“Jenn's expertise and energy were just phenomenal! She is a confident and engaging speaker/teacher who reads her group and adjusts content to their needs.

Her fundraising course and coaching enabled me to secure a $500,000 matching gift. We then successfully raised the other half within four months. I never would have had the skills, knowledge, or courage to do this without her guidance. What an ROI!

Jenn is worth a million bucks.”

- Judy Peterson, CEO University of Vermont Home Health and Hospice

"I feel like I've gotten answers to so many of the questions I had about development work. Not just the best practices, but also some time and face saving tricks of the trade from someone who has had success in the field. The Fundraising and Development Certificate feels like an essential class for anyone embarking on a career in non profit development work or even higher level non-profit management. I will be better at my job because of this course!"

- Connor Timmons, Executive Director, Common Ground Center

“Whether you're just starting out in Development and don't know where to begin or you need the support of a network of peers and an excellent instructor to help you prioritize and gain confidence, this class really delivers. Too many trainings offer only a high level view and never get down to the detail; this training is both personalized and broad to cover a wide array of abilities and needs.

- Jessica Estabrooks, Development and Communications Director, ReSOURCE

“The class has given me a foundation in development and fundraising, which has provided me with the confidence and knowledge for making decisions on strategy, activities, and offering recommendations - and the ability to articulate those goals and activities to my team."

- Hali Issente, Development & Communications Associate, The Family Place

“This class gave me the confidence to believe in my good ideas, treat my challenges as learning experiences, and to use my unique skills to enhance the work I do. I have been doing this work for most of my career, and I finally feel like I can actually be myself and be a good fundraiser.”

- Lissa Harris, Executive Director, Strolling of the Heifers

Professional Development Coaching

"My work with Jenn has been transformative to my career development. I received a transformed resume, a solid sense of how to improve job interviews, a more effective cover letter format, and a renewed sense of purpose and confidence in my work."

- Aaron Guman, Nonprofit Manager

“Jenn asks insightful questions, listens with intention, and reflects back affirmation, positivity, and encouragement. She provided achievable, bite-sized tasks between our meetings to keep me accountable. The tools she shared helped me move through my anxieties and fears about change and focus on productive milestones toward a new professional identity.”

- Deborah Dimasi, Database Consultant

“I came to Jenn to explore my work life balance and find ways to get more excited about my job. With her wise questions and astute observations, Jenn guided me beyond the goals I knew I had to new ideas I hadn’t been able to articulate. Within 5 months, her coaching enabled me to ask for—and get—more than I'd have considered in several negotiations. I learned tools that are going to help me in work and personal situations throughout my life.”

- Sue Schlabach, Art Director, Artist, Photographer and Upcycler

Clients - Partial List

Agricultural Stewardship Association
Americorps
BALE - Building a Local Economy
Bike Newport
Boston Collegiate Charter School
Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice
Changing Perspectives
CISA
College Visions
COGdesign
Common Good Vermont
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
Community Nurse
DOVE - Domestic Violence Ended
Eliot School
Essex County Community Foundation
Faith in Action
The Family Place
FINE - Farm to Institution New England
Grub Street
Linde Family Foundation
Long Trail School
Making Music Matters
Melrose Alliance Against Violence
Mott Philanthropic
Nativity Prep
New Art Center
North Quabbin Citizen Advocacy
Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light
Philanthropy Massachusetts
Project TENDR
Rabinowitz Partners
Radical Joy for Hard Times
ReSOURCE
Safe Art
Salem Education Foundation
SerVermont
Seven Stars Arts Center
Schooner Adventure
The Sharon Academy
Special Needs Support Center
TSNE - MissionWorks
Tunbridge Library
Up for Learning
Univ of VT Home Health & Hospice
Urbano Project
United Way of Northwest Vermont
Vermont Bar Foundation
VT Coalition of Runaway and Homeless Youth
Vermont Land Trust
Vermont Law School
Vermont Network Against Domestic Violence
Vital Communities
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
West Newbury Congregational Church