Bio

For nearly ten years, Elaine Gast has worked as a writer and communications consultant for nonprofits, membership associations, foundations, businesses and individuals. A published author of six books, Elaine has educated foundations nationwide on governance, management, philanthropic strategies, and more. With a background in fundraising, she has researched and written grants and government contracts for nonprofit organizations, private businesses and individuals—helping to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Elaine has presented training sessions and panels at national conferences, and planned events on a national and state level. She has crafted marketing, ad and web copy, and prepared reports, articles and newsletters for national distribution. She has also worked extensively with the press—coordinating press conferences, preparing press kits, and writing and distributing news releases.

In 2005, Elaine served as a travel writer for Fodor’s Travel Publications. She has published articles in a number of national magazines and local newspapers.

Elaine holds a Masters in Professional Writing from Towson University in Baltimore, and a Certificate in Nonfiction from Charles University in Prague.

She is a member of the National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers, Washington Independent Writers and Action Without Borders. She volunteers regularly with local community groups.

Elaine is newly based in the Palo Alto area of San Francisco Bay – Silicon Valley. She travels on request and offers her services nationwide. When away from her laptop, Elaine is a student and teacher of yoga and a practitioner of the contemplative arts. She enjoys traveling (worldwide when possible), hiking, biking, and adventures of every kind.