Empowering Small Businesses and Nonprofits to Grow with Purpose and Impact
I help women entrepreneurs, small businesses, and social impact leaders streamline operations, secure funding, and bring their boldest ideas to life — without the overwhelm or wasted effort.
I help small businesses and nonprofits unlock growth, clarity, and funding — without sacrificing their mission or burning out.
At Saint Impact Ventures, we partner with entrepreneurs, changemakers, and small business leaders to turn purpose-driven ideas into thriving ventures that make a real difference.
Is this you?
→ You’re a Latina entrepreneur or a woman-led nonprofit leader with a powerful mission — but you’re feeling stretched thin, wearing too many hats.
→ You’ve got bold ideas, but you’re stuck in the weeds of operations, funding applications, and day-to-day chaos.
→ You know you should be growing, scaling, or applying for bigger grants — but you just don’t have the time, clarity, or support to make it happen.
→ You want your business or organization to thrive, not just survive, but you’re unsure how to align your vision with an actionable, sustainable plan.
What if I told you…
✓ You don’t have to figure this all out on your own.
✓ You can build a business or organization that’s both profitable and deeply impactful.
✓ You can stop spinning your wheels and start making real, measurable progress toward your goals.
✓ With the right strategy, support, and systems, you can scale your work without burning out or sacrificing your mission.
Together, we’ll move you from scattered and overwhelmed… to focused, resourced, and thriving.
You’ll stop surviving — and start building a legacy.
At Saint Impact Ventures, I combine strategic consulting, grant writing + funding expertise, and streamlined business operations design…all tailored specifically for women-led businesses, Latina entrepreneurs, and nonprofits who are ready to grow.
This isn’t just advice or a template — it’s custom, hands-on partnership that’s designed to meet you where you are and help you rise to where you want to be.
Empowering women-led businesses and nonprofits to grow with purpose and impact.
I help Latina entrepreneurs, small businesses, and social impact leaders streamline operations, secure funding, and bring their boldest ideas to life — without the overwhelm or wasted effort.
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Strategic Clarity
Cut through the noise with a clear, customized roadmap that aligns your mission, goals, and next steps — so you know exactly where to focus.
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Funding Success
Unlock new grants, resources, and partnerships with expertly crafted proposals and strategies that increase your chances of securing sustainable funding.
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Streamlined Operations
Simplify your back-end systems and workflows so you can spend less time on chaos and more time doing the work that matters most.
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Empowered Partnership
Work with a trusted, culturally informed advisor who truly understands your challenges and is committed to walking alongside you, not just handing you a checklist.
How to Work With Us
Bookkeeping & Financial Strategy
Running a business is hard enough without wondering if your finances are in order.
Through our partnership with Abbey Kendrigan, CPA — founder of Lilac CPA LLC — Saint Impact Ventures now offers full-service financial support built for small businesses and purpose-driven entrepreneurs.
Operations Support
I help small businesses and nonprofits build systems that save time, reduce stress, and support long-term growth.
From CRM and invoicing tools to project management and Google Workspace setup, I’ll create the back-end structure your team needs to stay organized, communicate clearly, and thrive — without the chaos.
Grant Writing & Funding Support
Whether you need a single proposal or ongoing support, I help you secure the funding to fuel your mission.
I offer one-time grant and RFP services as well as retainer-based partnerships for nonprofits looking to build a sustainable grant strategy. I write compelling, funder-aligned proposals that help you stand out and win support for the work you’re doing.
Nonprofit Strategy & Planning
I work with new and growing nonprofits to develop clear strategic plans, grant-ready program models, and messaging that resonates with funders and communities alike.
Whether you’re launching something new or refining what you’ve built, I can help you clarify your vision, align your operations, and set up the infrastructure to grow with intention.
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Let's Talk Impact
✹ Let's Talk Impact
Partners in Impact
When people who care about impact come together, amazing things happen. These are just a few of the partners I’ve been lucky to work with.
Business Operations Support
Someone to actually run the back end.
Systems that get built once and then actually maintained.
Invoicing, onboarding, and follow-up that run without you chasing them. Processes documented, so the business stops living in your head.
I do this on retainer, at three levels — from keeping your back end running to sitting at the leadership table as your fractional COO. Engagements start at three months.
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![Lis Mery Ramirez headshot]()
"Whether you need help with grant writing, operations, creative styling, or something else, working with Saint Impact Ventures is a must!<autoplay speed=5></autoplay>
I had the pleasure of working with Saint Impact Ventures to craft a competitive RFP submission. From the start, Carol made me feel heard, took the time to understand my industry, and wrote a solid proposal to highlight the strengths of my company and team.”
Lis Mery Ramirez
Frutera Creative, Founder + Creative Director -
![Dalina Soto headshot]()
"From helping me with business support and strategy to liaising with legal counsel, Carol has made sure I don’t just dream big—I move smart.
What can I say about Carol? She’s been everything. She’s helped me map out new business ventures that make an impact in the Latino community and keep me grounded in my personal life. Thanks to her, I’ve been able to juggle being a mom, a wife, my own person—and still be a bomb ass businesswoman.”
Dalina Soto, MA, RD, LDN
Your Latina Nutritionist, Founder
Bookkeeping & Financial Strategy
Smart books. Strategic numbers. A partner who actually gets it.
Books that stay current, and numbers that actually tell you something. Monthly reconciliation, cash flow you can see coming, and financial statements written in plain English. No scramble in April.
This side of the business is led by Abbey Kendrigan, CPA — founder of Lilac CPA and our financial strategy partner. She works on retainer at three levels, from clean monthly books through fractional CFO support. Engagements start at three months.
FAQs
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I specialize in supporting women-led businesses, Latina entrepreneurs, and purpose-driven nonprofits — but I welcome anyone committed to meaningful, community-centered growth. Whether you’re an established organization or just starting out, if you’re ready to invest in strategy and systems that move your mission forward, we’re likely a good fit.
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I offer both! You can hire me for a one-time project — like a grant proposal or a virtual workspace setup — or you can engage me on a monthly retainer for ongoing strategy and support. Retainers work especially well for nonprofits needing continuous funding help or businesses going through a growth phase.
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It depends on scope, which is why you won't find a price list here. Every engagement is quoted individually after we talk, and you'll have a clear number in writing before you commit to anything.
If it helps to know the shape of it: operations and financial support are monthly retainers at three levels, depending on how much of the work you want owned versus supported. Grant writing is quoted per proposal, or as a monthly partnership if you want a funding pipeline rather than a single application.
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I bring more than just strategy or task execution — I offer culturally informed, equity-centered partnership shaped by years of working directly with small businesses and nonprofits like yours. I deeply understand the challenges faced by underrepresented founders, mission-driven teams, and social impact organizations, and I’m invested in helping you build systems that honor both your purpose and your people.
Grant Writing & Funding Support
Get grant writing support.
I provide nonprofits and small businesses with expert grant writing and funding strategy — whether you need ongoing retainer support or help with a one-time grant or RFP. My work focuses on finding the right opportunities, crafting compelling proposals, and helping you secure the funding you need to advance your mission and expand your impact.
This is for you if:
You’re a nonprofit organization (whether well-established like The Waterfront Project or newly launching) with a clear mission and a commitment to growth, but you lack the time, staff, or expertise to pursue grants consistently.
You’re looking for expert help identifying funding opportunities, crafting strong proposals, and building a funding pipeline — whether you’re starting from scratch or scaling existing efforts.
You’re ready to invest in a retainer partnership that helps you build systems, messaging, and grant readiness over time, even if you’re still early in your nonprofit journey.
You’re organized enough to provide timely materials and input when needed and understand that successful funding requires collaboration.
This is NOT for you if:
You’re expecting guaranteed wins overnight or viewing grants as a “quick fix” for deeper structural or financial issues.
You’re hoping for a success-only or commission-based grant writer — my services are structured as project fees or retainers, respecting the time-intensive nature of grant writing.
You’re looking for full-scale development management (major gifts, fundraising events, individual donor cultivation) — my focus is specifically on grant and institutional funding.
What to Expect
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We meet to review your organization’s mission, current funding goals, past proposals, and grant readiness.
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I conduct funding research or review specific grant opportunities and craft a tailored grant calendar or proposal strategy for you.
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I write or revise the grant proposals or RFPs, ensuring they align with funder priorities and highlight your organization’s strengths.
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I assist with the submission process and provide guidance on post-submission steps, including reporting requirements or funder communications.
Bonus: For retainer clients, I offer ongoing grant prospecting and application management throughout the year.
Important Note: I typically need at least 4–6 weeks’ lead time for large grants or RFPs. Rush support may be available for an added fee, depending on availability.
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![Catt Kristy The Elevated Stylist headshot]()
“Carol was absolutely essential in helping us launch our online business. She went above and beyond making sure all of our details were in place.<autoplay speed=5></autoplay>
We were at a stand still until we hired Carol. Who knows how long it would’ve taken to get our business off the ground if it wasn’t for her. She also made us aware of all the legal actions we needed to take, like our privacy policy. She was on top of deadlines and helped us stay organized – which was a lifesaver since we're creative professionals and not exactly administratively savvy! When you find someone to work with who cares as much about your business as you do, it’s priceless. To all the creative pros out there who don’t have a good grip of the business end of things, you need Carol in your life! We never could’ve launched our online business without her!”
Catt & Kristy
The Elevated Stylist -
![Jon Hood headshot]()
"Put simply: Carol makes running a business easier, less stressful, and more fun. I can't recommend Carol highly enough!
Carol has been running my law firm's operations for the better part of the last year and has completely transformed the way we run our business. Since Carol came on board, she has done a complete audit of our operations and identified key areas for improvement. The most significant recommendation from Carol was to roll our operations into a new, more comprehensive legal software; she looked at several options and recommended the best fit for our firm. Once we approved that software, Carol got to work moving our systems over to the new software while ensuring that day-to-day operations wouldn't be interrupted. Even more importantly, Carol is on top of the mundane, everyday tasks that are critical to running a business efficiently. She is a pleasure to work with and an amazing addition to our team.”
Jon Hood
Hood Venture Counsel, Founder and Managing Attorney
Strategic Consulting for Nonprofits & Small Businesses
Big picture clarity meets practical next steps.
Whether you're pivoting, growing, or just getting your footing, a strong strategy is your secret weapon. I help nonprofits and small businesses zoom out and get clear on where they’re going — and how to get there — with purpose, sustainability, and systems in mind.
From mission-aligned growth plans and strategic roadmaps to program design, organizational development, and board engagement, this is more than a one-time brainstorm session. It’s a co-created blueprint to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
This service blends vision, structure, and support — ideal for leaders navigating change, expansion, or stuck-in-the-weeds overwhelm.
This service is a great fit if:
You’re a nonprofit leader rethinking programs, growth, or board engagement
You’re a small business owner with no clear roadmap and a hundred half-finished ideas
You’re launching a new initiative or revenue stream and want help making it sustainable
You need an outside perspective from someone who gets values-based leadership
This may NOT be the best fit if:
You’re looking for one-size-fits-all solutions or generic business coaching
You’re not ready to invest time and energy into making real changes
You’re seeking in-depth financial forecasting or legal consulting (but I can refer you!)
What to Expect
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We start with a 20-minute discovery call to understand your goals, challenges, and whether this support is a good fit.
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Once we’re aligned, we’ll schedule a 90-minute or half-day virtual strategy session (depending on the scope). I’ll review any existing documents, plans, or org materials in advance.
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You’ll receive a custom Strategic Roadmap or Action Plan, tailored to your org's size, capacity, and priorities — with clear recommendations, suggested tools, and next steps.
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You'll have the option to book a follow-up check-in call or add on implementation support through one of my Operations packages.
Note: I take on a limited number of strategy clients per quarter to ensure thoughtful and personalized support. Book early to reserve your spot.
FAQs
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I specialize in supporting women-led businesses, Latina entrepreneurs, and purpose-driven nonprofits — but I welcome anyone committed to meaningful, community-centered growth. Whether you’re an established organization or just starting out, if you’re ready to invest in strategy and systems that move your mission forward, we’re likely a good fit.
-
I offer both! You can hire me for a one-time project — like a grant proposal or a virtual workspace setup — or you can engage me on a monthly retainer for ongoing strategy and support. Retainers work especially well for nonprofits needing continuous funding help or businesses going through a growth phase.
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It depends on the scope! Most operations or tech setup projects take 2–4 weeks, while grant writing projects vary depending on deadlines and complexity. For retainer partnerships, we work together over several months, building momentum and sustainability over time. I’ll provide a clear timeline before we begin, so you always know what to expect.
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I bring more than just strategy or task execution — I offer culturally informed, equity-centered partnership shaped by years of working directly with small businesses and nonprofits like yours. I deeply understand the challenges faced by underrepresented founders, mission-driven teams, and social impact organizations, and I’m invested in helping you build systems that honor both your purpose and your people.
Meet La Jefa
Carol M. Sainthilaire
I know what it’s like to juggle big dreams with limited time and resources — because I’ve lived it alongside the businesses and nonprofits I serve. As the founder of Saint Impact Ventures, I bring over a decade of experience helping women-led businesses, Latina entrepreneurs, and purpose-driven nonprofits navigate growth, secure funding, and streamline operations so they can thrive without burning out.
Over the years, I’ve served as Executive Director of a legal nonprofit, managed millions in government contracts, and built programs that centered equity and impact. I've worked with organizations like The Waterfront Project, Hood Venture Counsel, Narine + Co, and The Elevated Stylist — providing everything from strategic planning and systems design to grant writing and client onboarding workflows.
I’m not just a strategist — I’m a hands-on partner who understands the messy realities of running a business or nonprofit: the underfunded programs, the overwhelmed founders, the stalled projects that just need the right systems and support to move forward. Whether I’m crafting a grant proposal, setting up a seamless tech stack, or designing an operational roadmap, I combine heart, strategy, and lived experience to help you turn your vision into measurable, lasting impact.
Clients choose me because I meet them where they are, offer culturally informed and equity-centered support, and deliver the tools, clarity, and confidence they need to stop surviving — and start building legacies.
Meet The Numbers
Abbey Kendrigan, CPA
Founder, Lilac CPA · Financial Strategy Partner, Saint Impact Ventures
Abbey is a CPA with over 15 years of experience spanning public accounting, investment management, and product strategy. She started her career at PwC and went on to hold leadership roles at Loomis Sayles, Northern Trust, and Rocket Travel — including years in product management, building and optimizing global technology platforms.
That product background is what makes her different. She learned how to take complex data and turn it into clear, actionable decisions. She developed an instinct for spotting inefficiencies, building systems that scale, and asking the right questions to find the real problem, not just the obvious one. That thinking now shapes everything about how she approaches financial strategy — it's not just organizing the numbers, it's using them to tell a story about where your business is, where it's going, and what needs to change.
She founded Lilac CPA on a belief I agree with completely: you shouldn't have to be a finance expert to run a profitable business. You just need the right partner.
And honestly? She's also the person I call at 10 pm when I need someone who will actually tell me the truth. That matters more than any credential.
Ready to turn your bold ideas into real-world impact?
Let’s work together to build the strategy, systems, and funding you need to grow with clarity and confidence.
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