Ashley Cain has been successfully writing grants for nonprofit organizations for more than a decade, raising millions in funding for programs, projects, and operating.
Ashley is CEO and Principal Consultant at Cain Nonprofit Solutions, a consultancy offering grant writing, research, web development, digital marketing, and eTraining services to arts and culture nonprofits across the country. Ashley also co-owns Painted Post Publications along with fellow grant writer, Bruce Ripley.
I have a long career history in business, education, news media circulation and IT, retail and non-profit. My most recent leadership roles were with the Springfield (OH) Symphony Orchestra as Director of Operations & Education, then Executive Director. Together our staff and board expanded the community footprint of the SSO by collaborating with area agencies, businesses and other arts & culture organizations to create, provide, and promote cultural programs for Clark County, Ohio and beyond. My passion for working with, and for, underserved youth and families grew tremendously during this time, and remains my primary motivator today.
When I was 16 years old I got my first job at The Springfield Newspapers, Inc. While there, I honed my copywriting, editing, and proofreading skills for six years through high school and college. My writing experience today includes newsletters, news releases, advertising and web copy, social media posts, informational and marketing materials, and training manuals. I have written grant applications for local, state, and national foundation grants, the Ohio Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, and other federal grants.
Armed with a Bachelor’s in Music Education from Wittenberg University, I went into the retail music business for 6 years, then the retail photo & video business for 4 years. In those jobs I learned about managing, marketing, advertising, inventory control, purchasing, sales, operations, event planning, and most importantly, customer service. During that time and beyond, I taught private lessons, played horn professionally in two symphony orchestras, and freelanced all over Southwest Ohio.
For another 10 years I went back to the newspaper business doing more managing, and eventually database administration and IT for 2 major daily newspapers and 7 weekly newspapers. So then, I was really ready to wear 1,000 hats working for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, because that’s what nonprofit warriors do!
My role with Cain Nonprofit solutions is near and dear to my heart. It gives me the opportunity to help arts & culture organizations serve their mission statements, enriching the lives of us all.