Aspire Grant & Development Receives National Certification from The Women's Business Enterprise

SOMERSET, Pa. - June 1, 2018 - PRLog -- Aspire Grant & Development, LLC, a full-service grant writing and management company, announced today that it has received national certification from The Women's Business Enterprise Council (WBENC).

Michele Beener founded the company in 2014 as a way to drive economic and philanthropic impact across Pennsylvania. The company specializes in the research, submission and management of competitive federal, state and private grants. Aspire is proud to be managing over $40 million in awards for existing clients in the firms consulting portfolio, which includes a mix of nonprofit agencies, manufacturers, health systems and private developers.

"Receiving national certification as a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise is certainly exciting; from inception, it was my intent to build Aspire as an incubator for professional women looking to make a difference. I am blessed to have three full time, two part-time and six incredible consultants, all of whom demonstrate incredible dedication to the profession. In 2018 we want to expand into new state markets and the WBENC certification will give us opportunities to learn and grow," said Michele. All Aspire grant writers are members of the National Grants Management Association, assuring the highest standards of grant compliance for clients. Ms. Beener is also a registered grant reviewer for a branch of the federal government, providing the background necessary to ensure proposals are written to score high.

In addition to grant writing, Aspire specializes in the preparation of economic impact models to support development projects. In 2018, the firm will begin offering legal preparation of IRS Form 1023 for clients wanting to start a 501(c)(3). This service will be offered in conjunction with a local law office, allowing Aspire to serve as a one-stop shop for the creation of nonprofit umbrellas, often the first step for an organization wishing to apply for competitive funding for charitable or development purposes.

The WBENC certification, for women-owned businesses, certifies that a company is at least 51% woman/women-owned. It is the most rigorous and sought-after certification of its kind. Working with WBENC certified companies can help corporations fulfill contract obligations. Companies and government agencies that include women-owned
businesses as their vendors show their commitment to fostering diversity.

For additional information on Aspire Grant & Development, LLC, visit their website www.aspiregrants.com or call (814)-701-2787.

For additional information on WBENC visit http://www.wbenc.org