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We Manage the Grants.
You Drive the Mission.

Transform your organization's approach to fundraising through strategic systems and soul-aligned relationship building.

Reactive fundraising mode is not sustainable

 

You know your mission deserves better than last-minute grant scrambles and donor relationships that feel transactional. Your team is exhausted from campaigns that drain energy instead of building momentum. You've tried all the tactics, but something fundamental is missing.

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Here's the truth:

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Sustainable funding doesn't come from working harder...

  • It comes from building the right systems and relationships.

  • It comes from understanding donor psychology, honoring your organization's capacity, and creating fundraising practices that actually support your mission instead of undermining it.​

 

You need someone who can see the patterns you're missing and guide you toward transformation, not just quick fixes.

WHY PROJECT 5356?

We'll help you...

 

See the systems others miss – We bring a unique lens to organizational dynamics, identifying the hidden patterns keeping you stuck in scarcity thinking.

 

Build relationships that last – Move beyond transactional donor interactions to create genuine community and sustainable partnerships rooted in shared values.

 

Create boundaries that sustain – Develop fundraising practices that honor your team's capacity and prevent burnout while increasing impact.

Grant readiness

Ideal if you are applying for grants for the first time and need support ensuring that you have all the documents you need.

grant writing

Ideal for established nonprofit leaders ready to delegate the writing of grants so you can "juggle those other balls in the air" while we ensure every proposal is clear, compliant, and compelling.

Budget preparation

Ideal if you are new to nonprofit budgeting and want guidance creating your first realistic, fundable budget — one that impresses reviewers, reflects your real costs, and sets you up for growth.

grant management support

Ideal if you do not have the capacity or infrastructure to manage the grant or need to train new staff in grant management.

grant compliance

Ideal if you are managing your first grant and worried about missing a reporting deadline or misusing funds — you need simple systems and clear guidance that make compliance second nature.

donor cultivation & retention

Ideal for nonprofit leaders seeking a strategic, data-informed approach to donor cultivation — turning occasional funders into loyal partners through systems that track, nurture, and sustain engagement year after year.

vip day

VIP Days are perfect if you are facing tight deadlines, wanting to launch a new grants program, or prefer intensive work sessions over drawn-out processes. You will leave with clarity, concrete next steps, and significant progress on your grant and fundraising goals.

ask cat coaching

Ideal for first-time founders who need a supportive mentor to demystify the grant world — learning how to plan, write, and manage grants with clarity, confidence, and real-world examples.

Testimonials

"Earlier in my career, Catherina taught me the essential foundations of grant management, from understanding budgets to meeting metrics. She showed me how to communicate effectively with our grant designee and prepare for monthly meetings by organizing updates for stakeholders."

​Keirsten G., Workforce Development Director

"Catherina is empathetic. She listens not to fix, but to encourage."​

Albert W., Program Coordinator

"Catherina is action-oriented and detail-driven, thoroughly researching grant backgrounds to align organizational missions with funding opportunities. She's an analytical and creative storyteller who crafts compelling narratives that resonate. She brings teams together to brainstorm improvements and engages stakeholders to develop persuasive proposals, all while demonstrating a deep understanding of how systems work."

​Maritza F., Program Director

Our Expertise

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Catherina Mirasol
Founder, Project 5356

Catherina didn't start as a nonprofit consultant. She came to this work because she kept seeing the same pattern everywhere in her 12+ years in workforce development: incredible organizations with worthy missions, completely drowning in unsustainable fundraising practices.

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Hustling when they needed systems.

Chasing when they needed to attract.

Burning out when they needed boundaries.

 

Her background in workforce development and 20+ years in accounting and operations gives her a fresh perspective. That perspective, combined with transferable skills, are exactly what nonprofits need.

 

She brings meticulous attention to detail, the ability to communicate complex strategies clearly, and a natural gift for seeing the patterns and systems others miss.

 

She understands something the industry often forgets: You don't need a consultant who's "always done it this way." You need someone who deeply researches what actually works, tests approaches thoughtfully, and brings genuine curiosity to your unique situation. She understands systems, relationships, and what moves people. And she's here to help you stop chasing and start attracting the right partnerships—the ones that fuel your mission for the long haul.

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The story behind the name "Project 5356."

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