Black Forest Strategies has been named the Best Strategic Funding Partner for Nonprofits and Municipalities in the US of 2025 by Evergreen Awards, a recognition that honors the company's tireless commitment to empowering rural communities and organizations. The award highlights the company's ability to blend expertise in grant writing, strategic planning, and civic leadership to address the unique challenges faced by nonprofits and municipalities in rural America.

A Visionary Approach to Rural Growth

Founded by Jennifer Dean-Inman, Black Forest Strategies was born out of a simple but powerful belief: every rural community has stories worth funding. Based in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Wilds, the firm works to bridge the gap between visionary community leaders and the resources they need to thrive. With over a decade of experience in civic planning and community development, Black Forest Strategies is dedicated to helping rural organizations access critical funding and build long-term growth strategies.

Jennifer’s approach goes beyond just grant writing; it’s about developing sustainable, hands-on solutions that align with both the needs of rural communities and the expectations of funding bodies. By understanding both sides of the funding equation, Black Forest Strategies positions its clients for lasting success. The company’s mission, “Securing Resources. Strengthening Communities,” encapsulates their dedication to empowering rural nonprofits, municipalities, and service organizations, one project at a time.

Achieving Tangible Impact in Rural Communities

What sets Black Forest Strategies apart is its results-driven approach. They have an impressive track record of successfully securing funding for a variety of initiatives across rural Pennsylvania. Notably, Black Forest Strategies played a key role in developing Austin Borough’s 10-Year Infrastructure Plan and aligning it with state-level funding opportunities. Additionally, they built a regional grant strategy database that connects nonprofits with active opportunities across the state, helping organizations stay ahead of emerging funding prospects.

Beyond infrastructure planning, Black Forest Strategies also created impactful community initiatives such as the holiday and military food drives for the Potter County Military Food Pantry, including the development of the Kids Care Kits and Tools of Hope: Winter Readiness Edition. Their commitment to local communities is not only seen in their grant work but also in their ability to bring a fresh, strategic approach to each project, creating lasting change in small-town America.

Sustainability and Long-Term Growth

While securing immediate funding is important, Black Forest Strategies emphasizes the importance of long-term sustainability. The company works hand-in-hand with its clients, creating robust strategies that go beyond short-term solutions. Their focus on improving organizational capacity, bolstering infrastructure, and modernizing systems has resulted in a significant impact on the municipalities and organizations they serve. One of their standout projects includes spearheading a borough ordinance modernization project that digitized over 60 years of handwritten municipal records,  a major step forward in creating more efficient and accessible local government operations.

Black Forest Strategies is also known for its empathy-driven approach. They tailor their services to meet the unique needs of rural clients, ensuring that each community receives a customized strategy that empowers them to succeed independently in the future.

Why Black Forest Strategies Stands Out

What makes Black Forest Strategies truly stand out is its unwavering dedication to rural communities. As a female-led business, Black Forest Strategies is a driving force for change, helping rural organizations gain equal access to funding and resources that can propel them into the future. The company's authentic, hands-on approach builds strong, trust-based relationships with clients and stakeholders, positioning them as one of the most reliable strategic funding partners for nonprofits and municipalities in the region.

Through all these efforts, Black Forest Strategies has established itself as a leader in rural empowerment, helping communities access the funding, strategies, and partnerships needed for long-term success.

For more information, visit Black Forest Strategies.