“I have worked with Christine Sisley as a consultant through at least three organizations. She has always made me look far smarter than I actually am by providing my nonprofits with incredible advice. Her exceptional writing is so helpful for nonprofits working to build a narrative around their funding requests. She also offers well informed suggestions from her extensive professional experience about how to approach various foundations and how to maintain effective communication with them throughout the grant process.”
Donald L. Morgan
Vice President & Financial Advisor
Bernstein Private Wealth Management
“For over 35 years throughout my CEO assignments I have known and worked with Chris Sisley. Three words come to mind when I reflect on this relationship: "smart," "strategic," and " experienced." In addition to working with Chris in her capacity as foundation executive, I have turned to Chris time and time again during these CEO experiences for advice on issues which I was facing. She has served as a "shadow advisor" to me for which I always appreciated her insights. She is direct and does not hesitate to tell me if she thinks I should reverse strategies! And more often than not, she is "spot on" with her observations and suggestions. I know I can count on her for thoughtful comments. The wide range of experiences she has had in her career make her a near unique counselor in the world of philanthropy.”
Dr. Frank L. Ellsworth (Retired)
Former President
Pitzer College; the Independent Colleges of Southern California; Endowments, The Capital Group: The Japan Society of New York City; Give2Asia; Sophia University; and Art Center College of Pasadena
“I have had the privilege and honor of working with Christine Sisley for the past ten years as our grant writer. Christine is a gifted, well-seasoned professional with a caring, positive and diligent approach. She always has great insight, motivation and direction for the organization and myself as a leader. She has aided me in crafting strong grant proposals that have turned into annual contributions. Christine has helped me navigate through the foundation world, providing me with wisdom and understanding I needed to develop and cultivate strong relationships with funders. Her in-depth understand of the foundation/fundraising world coupled with her nurturing demeanor along with her humble leadership is what has led many organizations to become sustainable and successful. She is the best of the best!”
Theresa Gartland
Executive Director
Operation Progress
“Without Chris, The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company would not be where it is today. She was recommended to me when I was first appointed executive director, and after our initial meeting, I knew that I had to hire her. It was the smartest thing I did. Within a year, we had doubled our annual revenue. She showed me exactly how to make our case with foundations and our success rate soared to 90%.
Not only that, but it was an unreserved pleasure to work with her. Chris has an intimate understanding of the demands of leading a nonprofit and provided me with just the right amount of support and guidance to make sure our fundraising projects were successful. She is generous, exacting, and extremely fast. I still don’t know how she does it, but I do know that she changed my life, and with that the lives of so many disadvantaged youth.”
Sally Fairman
Former Executive Director
The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company
“As a member of the Independent Colleges of Southern California, I can attest to the fact that our group places Christine Sisley at the top of our many foundation contacts. She has helped all of us secure funding for transitional projects and programs and loyally supported our requests within the funding community. She has provided information, insights, assisted us in selecting the right project at the right time, and has made the process of seeking funding less daunting and more enjoyable. Any one of our 20 Southern California university corporate/foundation directors would reflect similar thoughts.”
Annette Ketner
CFRE, Director of Foundation Relations
University of San Diego
“I've known Chris for many years, and have benefited not only from her experience and guidance, but also for her rare gift of listening. She maintains her professionalism while also bringing her authentic self to our conversations. I can't imagine a better partner for the work in our field.”
Dyan Sublett
President
Martin Luther King Community Health Foundation
“Chris understands higher education very well, its dynamics, requirements, and the determinants that make for quality and excellence in that enterprise. Chris also understands philanthropy well, having worked extensively on both sides of the funding desk. She knows of the catalytic and leveraging roles philanthropy can play in assisting institutions to attain excellence in what they do in developing the future generations of students, our leaders for tomorrow. She is insightful, analytical, and an unswerving counselor in assisting individuals to reach for those marks of excellence.”
Albin Grohar
Executive Director of Philanthropy
Loma Linda University