Everyone I’ve worked with has a story to tell – from the challenges they faced to the solutions we found. Here are some stories of how it went.

If any of these stories resonate with you and you’d like to find out more, please contact me.

• "Foothills Conservancy is a regional land trust which assumes perpetual responsibilities for stewarding and, if necessary, legally defending lands protected by conservation easements. In our tenth year, Jean Craig Long began to work with us to institute a much-needed planned giving program that we believe will be the foundation of the conservancy in years to come. As Foothills Conservancy’s list of donors, supporting members, and landowners interested in easements grows, it is essential that we take full advantage of the interest others have in supporting our important conservation work. Planned giving opportunities arise now weekly with either donors or landowners. Jean Craig brought a wealth of expertise in this field to our doorstep and provided both our staff and board with all the training and tools necessary to first understand the many aspects of planned gifts and then to structure and launch a planned giving program and society. In addition, her expertise allowed us to confidently address specific donors’ questions as they arose."
  -– Susie Hamrick Jones, Executive Director, Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina
  
  
• “Jean Craig Long brought to us a depth of understanding that quickly challenged us to better frame our value proposition to our donors and patrons. Not only did she help us learn where we stand in the minds of our supporters, she helped shape our strategic direction for moving to a higher level of engagement with them. Our board is excited about the opportunities for growth that were brought into focus through Jean’s work with us.”
  – Mark Ritchie; Chairman; Center for Faith & the Arts; Salisbury, NC
  
  
• Jean’s planning skills are at the expected professional level…the unexpected bonus for us came in her insight and interpretation of spoken and unspoken ‘messages’ from our potential benefactors!”
  – Ervin E. Lampert, Jr.; Past Chairman of the Board, Center for Faith & the Arts; Salisbury, NC
  
  
• “I first met Jean at a seminar on non-profit management. She was teaching the class, and it was apparent that she had extensive experience advising non-profits of all shapes and sizes. When we were able to retain her to work directly with my organization, I knew that we would be well served by her guidance and advice. We were not disappointed, as we continue to benefit from her pragmatic suggestions on how to operate more effectively. I would recommend her to any organization seeking to become more efficient and sustainable.”
  – Jason Walser, Executive Director, LandTrust for Central NC 
  
  
• "I feel like I’m on her mind all the time. When Jean Long is out walking and thinks of an idea for us, that’s more than dollars, more than business. It’s a relationship. I trust that she’s watching out for us."
   – Cheryl Pletcher, Executive Director, Serenity House
  North Carolina’s first comfort care home, providing end-of-life care in a home-like environment.
  
  
• “In the over ten years that Jean Long and I have worked with one another, I have come to value highly her principled approach to fund-raising. Jean places the integrity of her client organization at the forefront of her professional endeavors. She balances the interests, concerns and intentions of prospective donors with those of the organization to effect not mere fiscal year-end gains for the organization, but rather, the genuine and profound realization of a shared vision. Jeans blends graciousness with forthrightness in her relationships with clients, a highly effective quality in this day and age of non-profit proliferation."
   – Jane Starnes, Winthrop University Office of Development
  Professional historian and published author.
  
  
• I have worked with Jean in various capacities for 7 years. She has the ability to break down an issue - get to the core of the problem by removing personality, emotion and politics and find an answer that is appropriate to the organization. Jean has the unique capability of actually LISTENING to the finer nuances of a conversation and hone in on a deeper message. If you want someone to play the number’s game & manipulate data - don't call her. But if you want someone that will take your group to the next level and beyond with integrity, get in line and pick a number.” 
  – Deborah Hunter, Executive Director, Historic Rosedale Plantation, Charlotte NC.
  
  
• “I won a DavidsonCollege Hunter-Hamilton Love of Teaching Award, part of which is a monetary gift to apply toward a college program or department. Knowing that I wanted to do the most good possible with the money, I turned to Jean Craig Long for advice. She listened to the various options that I explained and offered invaluable perspectives. She helped me make a decision that is true to the award’s mission and will yield giving opportunities for years to come.” 
  – Kristi S. Multhaup, Associate Professor of Psychology; Davidson College; Davidson, NC.
  
  
• “From sophisticated plans to fundamental steps, Jean customizes development strategies to fit the unique needs of and personalities within the organization. Her ideas become an integral part of daily activities, so you can see immediate results without adding new staff and expensive tools. She identifies and builds on existing resources to strengthen the organization while keeping the mission of the organization in the forefront.”
  – Robin Underwood, conservation consultant, financial advisor