This September marks nine years since I officially incorporated Lydia Sierra Consulting (LSC). What began as a vision to help nonprofit leaders navigate the complexities of fundraising has evolved into a thriving consulting firm that has raised tens of millions of dollars for community-based organizations nationwide.

For me, this milestone is more than a business anniversary — it’s a chance to reflect on the lessons these nine years have taught me, both as a leader and as someone deeply committed to strengthening communities.

Capacity is the foundation of impact.

I’ve learned time and again that funding alone isn’t enough. It’s the systems, strategies, and people behind the scenes that allow nonprofits to sustain and scale their work. Helping organizations build that capacity — whether through stronger grant management systems, internal staffing structures, or long-term funding strategies — has been the most rewarding part of this journey. When capacity grows, organizations move from scrambling for survival to planning for sustainability.

Collaboration is non-negotiable.

Every success story has been rooted in partnership — within the LSC team, with our clients, and among the funders and community members who believe in their missions. Collaboration means more than dividing up tasks; it’s about sharing vision, creating alignment, and leveraging each other’s strengths. I’ve seen time and again that when people come together with shared purpose, the results are greater than any one individual or organization could achieve alone.

Resilience is the throughline.

Like so many of the organizations we serve, LSC has weathered challenges — economic shifts, political changes, and the uncertainties of running a small business. There have been seasons of growth and seasons of tightening, but resilience has been about more than surviving. It has meant finding creative solutions, making difficult choices, and refusing to lose sight of why the work matters. Resilience has been the quiet force that has carried us through and positioned us for long-term impact.

Values must lead the way.

Perhaps the most important leadership lesson I’ve learned is the power of managing with core values at the forefront. This focus has guided difficult decisions — from choosing the right clients and projects to hiring the right people, and even letting go when there was misalignment. Keeping values at the center has allowed LSC to stay true to our mission and create consistency across every part of the work.

As we move into our 10th year, LSC is more committed than ever to what we do best: helping nonprofits raise the private and government funding they need through strategic prospect research, compelling proposal development, and reliable contract management — so they can focus on delivering the impact their communities deserve.

I am profoundly grateful to every client, partner, and team member who has been part of this journey. Together, we’re proving that with the right strategy, support, and values, nonprofits (and small businesses)  can not only survive but thrive.

Here’s to the work ahead — and to building even stronger communities, one grant at a time.

— Lydia

Let’s keep building.