OUR HISTORY

Yes& Development and Communications was founded in 2012 by Brian Tibbetts, a seasoned professional writer with a deep passion for guiding nonprofits through transformative growth. After a successful career in marketing and communications, Brian made the decision to pivot his talents towards work that had the highest potential to create positive change in the world.

Drawing on his master's degree in writing and extensive experience partnering with nonprofits at every stage of development, Brian established Yes& Development and Communications to provide specialized support in fundraising, strategic communications, and organizational capacity building. The firm's mission is to help nonprofit clients refine their voice, leverage their vision, and secure the funding necessary to sustain and expand their vital programming.

Over the past decade, the Yes& team has worked with a diverse array of nonprofit organizations, each addressing critical societal issues in housing, environmental protection, arts and culture, food security, and many other areas. Recognizing the power of storytelling, the team at Yes & collaborates closely with clients to capture the essence of their work and translate it into compelling narratives that resonate with funders, donors, and community stakeholders.

Through personalized grant writing, prospect research, and strategic communications support, Yes& Development and Communications has helped its nonprofit partners secure the resources needed to implement long-term strategies, widen their reach, and deepen their impact. The firm's unwavering commitment to mission-driven work has solidified its reputation as a trusted partner for organizations seeking to navigate growth, strengthen operations, and increase their capacity to serve their communities.

As a mission-driven social enterprise, Yes& Development and Communications continues to evolve, drawing on the diverse expertise of its skilled team members to adapt to the ever-changing funding landscape of the nonprofit sector. With Brian's visionary leadership and the dedication of the entire team, the firm remains steadfast in its pursuit of empowering nonprofits to achieve their most ambitious goals and create a more equitable, sustainable, and thriving world.

ABOUT THE TEAM

  • Principal

    (he/him)

    Brian works to guide nonprofits through transition and help them to grow their capacity. Over the last couple of decades, Brian has partnered with organizations at every stage of growth to help them refine their voice and leverage their mission and vision toward successful funding of their long-term strategy and programming objectives. He has worked with a variety of nonprofit organizations affecting change by providing housing, protecting the environment, providing instruction and performance opportunities in the arts, and working to ensure that everyone has enough to eat. Brian understands how important and effective it is to tell the story of an organization in language that speaks to a variety of communities and audiences.      

    Brian stepped away from a successful career in marketing and communications to devote his energy to work that has the highest potential to make a positive impact in the world. He holds a master’s degree in writing and specializes in all aspects of communications-driven fundraising.

  • Grant Researcher & Writer

    (they/them)

    Rosina aims to help nonprofits grow their capacity, programs, and reach. They collaborate with organizations to understand their goals, match them with the most appropriate funding opportunities, and write optimal applications that will give organizations their best chance to flourish. Rosina has worked with nonprofits of varying size whose missions are to protect the environment, provide sustainable housing solutions, empower disenfranchised workers, and create accessible spaces for artistic expression. With a background in writing, Rosina has a Master of Arts in Book Publishing.

  • Grant Writer

    (he/him)

    Andrew Golla brings a unique blend of experience in theater, education, and grant writing to the team at Yes&. With degrees in Political Philosophy and Theater, Andrew has honed his skills in storytelling, persuasion, and critical thinking—all essential components of successful grant writing.

    As the Artistic Director of Portland Theatre Works, Andrew has firsthand experience in writing and securing grants, having successfully won several Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) project grants for the theater. His grant writing experience is complemented by his role serving on an RACC theater grant funding panel, which provided him with valuable insights into the grant evaluation process and effective grant writing strategies.

    In addition to his grant writing background, Andrew is a seasoned theater director and educator. His expertise in these areas has equipped him with a keen understanding of how to craft compelling narratives and communicate ideas effectively – skills that are invaluable in the grant writing process.

    With a passion for storytelling and a commitment to helping organizations secure the funding they need to make a difference, Andrew brings a fresh perspective and a diverse skill set to the Yes & grant writing team.