Jessica Stack is the owner and principal grant writer. As a life-long educator, she excels in uncovering the talents hidden within students and organizations. Jess enjoys helping people find, foster, and fund their passion projects. As a fourth-generation Japanese American living in Hawaii, Jess is passionate about creating opportunities for our vibrant communities.
Abbigail is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Mongolia '14-'16 and Guatemala '17), co-owner of an equality-focused Guatemalan coffee company, and grant researcher and writer. With experience in international economics, regenerative agriculture, marketing, and problem solving in the public and private sectors, she is driven to help agents-of-change access the resources they need to make the world a better place.
Anamaria Vizcaino is an entrepreneur, immigration attorney, and grant writer. She began her education at Tufts University, majoring in International Relations. Anamaria then received her legal education at Tulane Law School and her Master’s in Business Administration at Florida State University. Anamaria has worked with nonprofits for several years as an intern and then as an attorney.
Here is one of our grant projects that we supported from start to finish.
"I have had the pleasure of working with Ms. Stack in a wide variety of circumstances over the past two decades, most recently as her supervisor at Mid-Pacific Institute. Ms. Stack is a remarkable worker on every level - she is organized, efficient, always meets deadlines, suggests ways to improve clunky systems, and follows up on her assignments with tenacity and professionalism. If Ms. Stack can't get a job done for you, it simply can't be done. She is an absolute pleasure as a coworker and if I ever have the opportunity, I will hire her again in a heartbeat."
- R. Kevin Doyle, former Director of Mid Pacific School of the Arts
"Jessica Stack is a hard-working grants analyst with the ability to synthesize complex state and federal application requirements and prepare winning grant proposals. As a colleague, Jessica is a trustworthy team member willing to take on any role necessary to complete the job and meet application deadlines. Jessica is pleasant to work with and takes stressful situations in stride.
It is always a pleasure to work with her."
-Dea C. Gasbarre, Ed.D.,
former Director of Grants Development, Rochester City School District, Rochester, New York
"The Haystack Essentials team is enthusiastic, dedicated, budget-conscious, and results-oriented. I totally recommend their services."
- Martha, West Klosterman Preservation Group