've been working with Lionbear Ventures since May of 2024. I was first introduced to them through the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership while working with Justin Horvath trying to save my family's dilapidated hotel from falling to the ground.

My vision to save it was clear. How I was going to get there was another story. I needed help finding funding when I wasn't sure it was available. I had an initial meeting with Ashley and Sarah describing my situation and what I thought the vision should be for the property. They were completely on board.

There was a grant for the interior that we would definitely need that was ending in July. Sarah became my main point of contact and she worked what felt like around the clock to make sure we were submitted in time, and we made the deadline! For reasons out of our control, we did not end up getting that grant on that round, but a much better thing ended up happening. A grant that was closed, and we thought was off the table opened up in the 11th hour and Sarah and Ashley jumped in doing everything possible to make sure we put our best case together to get it.

We ended up getting it, and the order of getting this particular grant first, was a HUGE burden lifted on the project due to the issues it addresses. 

Sarah, Ashley and Jessalyn have all been extremely helpful throughout this process, and their knowledge of the inner workings of these grants is 2nd to none. I look forward to working with them more in the future and continuing our partnership. Without their help this project wouldn't have happened. The community, as well as my family would have lost a long standing piece of history. We are forever grateful for Lionbear Ventures. 

The Shiawassee Family YMCA is very focused on helping address community needs. During the pandemic, we started providing food for those experiencing food insecurity.

We have continued doing this with weekend bags available to youth in our community as well as offering a monthly mobile food pantry for anybody in our county and surrounding communities. We love being able to help keep youth, adults and seniors healthy by sharing food with them!

When LBV approached me with the Michigan Health Endowment Fund grant opportunity, I saw it as a way to secure funding to go in even deeper and help update and streamline access to food here in the county.

We need data to develop efficiencies, and we need a coordinated and collaborative effort to create lasting change in the food access arena. This funding will support these efforts which are so important to our region.

The best part? I provided information to LBV, and their team put together the application. We communicated regularly through the process, but I know they were a key reason we were awarded the funding. They are an incredibly valuable partner to have!

Ashley and I were connected through her work as a coach with Nextcycle Michigan. Her passion for sustainability, small business and underserved communities is evident in all her work and she’s developed a team as committed and talented as she is.

Her ability to catch on quickly and see the big picture strategic vision of our projects sets her apart from other grant writers and advisors. Goodwill Detroit/Goodwill’s Green Works proudly works with Ashley and Lionbear Ventures like they are a member of our team and not an external vendor.

Lastly, I’ve been impressed with all she’s accomplished in the two years we’ve been working together.