My practice and approach
In the past twenty-five years, I have been a program coordinator and director, lawyer, sorbet and ice cream maker, executive director of a National Historic Landmark designated historic house museum and gardens, grant foundation Board president, diversity facilitator, fundraiser and a professor at Parsons New School. While anything but linear, my path has given me unique insights into diverse organizations - all of which inform my approach at Bonnie Goldblum Consulting.
Whether making sorbets from herbs grown in the local community garden, facilitating a strategic planning process or writing a grant, I have found that the most successful endeavors are underpinned by the following elements:
A balance of creativity and pragmatism
Meaningful and authentic relationships
Clear and honest communications
Informed decision-making based on thorough research
Empowered staff
Listening
Collaboration
Passion and fun
Since 2009, I have consulted with organizations in various fields including: cultural arts, historic restoration, environmental restoration, urban design, youth development, and economic development. My clients range in size from those with 1 staff and a $100,000 budget to those with 50 staff and a $20 million (partial list of clients). To each project and every client, I bring a personalized approach based on the organization’s unique culture and needs.
As a grant writer, I have secured funding from local, state and federal sources including the Getty Foundation, Institute of Museum and Library Services and Blue Cross Blue Shield (partial list of funders). My approach is informed by experience in the field as well as my service on a Foundation Board of Directors for nine years. While many see grants as simply a means to bring in financial resources, I see it as a way to build organizational and programmatic capacity. Through the writing process, I work with staff to see opportunities and pitfalls, where their capacity is stretched thinly and where they can stretch themselves further. The short-term goal is to “get the money” but in the long-term, it is to grow as an organization.
My work style
My mantra is mission, mission, mission - all projects must originate, reflect and return to the mission. Funders recognize when your project does not align with theirs AND when your project will result in mission drift. I will let you know when you are going adrift.
I am a highly organized, goal-oriented and creative professional.
I strongly believe in the collaborative work process. Your grant proposal should reflect the language and culture of your organization – I will work with you to ensure that the proposal speaks to your mission and culture.
Social Justice and Equity
In my commitment to fostering social justice and equity for all, I am guided by the following practices and values:
Self-examination of power dynamics and the assumptions underlying my actions and values.
Sharing power with, yielding power to, and fostering the power of people and groups who hold less power.
Listening to, believing, and amplifying the voices and experiences of oppressed people and groups.
Raising consciousness of how individual or group struggles are shaped by political, societal, institutional, and interpersonal power dynamics.
Seeing and engaging people’s strengths.
Helping to foster self-determination through actions and tools that are informed by the experiences of peoples and groups.
This path that I have set for myself is ongoing and imperfect. It will be marked by successes and failures, both of which are vital to the process.
About me
I am originally from New Orleans, Louisiana but have lived in Brooklyn, NY since 2013 (from the Big Easy to the Big Apple). While not writing grants, consulting and teaching, I spend my time exploring the five boroughs of New York City in search of great food, engaging art, interesting conversation, and unusual experiences – all of which are in abundance!
What people have said about me
"I first met Bonnie Goldblum in 2005, when the Getty Foundation worked with several New Orleans cultural institutions following Hurricane Katrina. Bonnie was the Executive Director of Longue Vue House and Gardens, a historic house museum and gardens, which had sustained significant physical damage. Bonnie was one of the leaders who really stood out among all the cultural institutions in the city. She was not just a strong and focused executive director, but a visionary in re-conceiving how a historic house museum could engage with the social fabric of the city in the rebuilding process. I came to respect her deeply.”
Joan Weinstein, Deputy Director, Getty Foundation
“Working with Bonnie was an absolute joy for my entire organization. She provided insightfulness, guidance and direction to what could have been an overwhelming process. Most importantly, she made every person on my team feel valued which led to a strategic plan that our organization will embrace for years to come.”
Paul Caccamo, Founder & CEO, Up2Us Sports
"I have continued to work with Bonnie through different jobs and sectors for almost 10 years, because she is an exceptional grantwriter and strategic thinker. And in a time when it is difficult to get funding for development staff, Bonnie is independent consultant with the same passion and vision as I have for my organization, who will take on the championing our mission as if it were her own."
Mathew Schwarzman, former Executive Director, New Orleans Kids Partnership