About MJH Grants

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Ms. Harrington, MIIM, GPC, is the Owner and Principal of MJH Grants, LLC. A seasoned grant professional with more than 20 years of non-profit development experience, Maura worked overseas in the Former Soviet country of Georgia for more than ten years in a variety of non-profit positions before returning to the US and entering the healthcare sector as a Senior Grant Writer at Boston Medical Center and later, Lahey Health Systems. To date, Maura has helped dozens of nonprofits raise tens of millions of dollars in foundation, state, and government grants.

In 2017, Maura obtained her Grant Professional Certification (GPC) from the Grant Professionals Certification Institute. She serves on the Program Committee of the Grant Professionals Association (GPA), a national organization dedicated to the advancement of grant professionals. Maura is also a GPA-Approved Trainer and teaches grant writing in the community.

Maura is happily married. She and her husband have four children and five

grandchildren. She enjoys traveling with her family and open water swimming when not working.

Lisa McAvoy is the Administrative Manager at MJH Grants. She received her B.A. in Spanish from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Early on in her career, she worked for 10 years in client support in the publishing, human resources, and logistics management industries, where she was able to use her Spanish language skills to assist Hispanic/Latinx clients.

After leaving the workforce to raise her three children, Lisa held many part-time and temporary administrative jobs, and worked for 10 years in childcare. Lisa recently switched her focus back to administration and is delighted to use her client support experience, communication skills, and attention to detail to assist Maura and her team.  

Lisa enjoys spending time with her family, going for long walks, and reading. 

Kevin Dwyer is a Grant Writer at MJH Grants. He received his bachelor’s degree in Music with a concentration in Sound Recording Technology from UMass Lowell. He worked in the live music industry for years before becoming the Executive Director of an arts and culture nonprofit in Lowell, MA. It was there where he coordinated the Lowell Folk Festival, one of the largest and longest running free folk music festivals in the country. As Executive Director, he also developed many skills in fundraising, donor outreach, and grant writing.

He is passionate about helping organizations succeed in their mission, which led him to MJH Grants. He is now using his experience to help MJH Grants' clients get the funding and guidance they need to succeed.

Kevin enjoys spending time with his wife and family, as well as reading, hiking, golfing, and playing guitar and bass.

Kimberly Devine-Tobias is an Associate Grant Writer at MJH Grants. She received her bachelor's degree in history from Stonehill College, where she also pursued a strong interest in gender and sexuality studies and political science. 

Since 2017, she has worked with a local organization educating her peers on domestic violence and healthy relationships and providing resources to the Waltham community. With this group she gained important insight into event planning, public speaking, and collaboration with different groups to effectively share vital information. These experiences contributed to her interest in grant writing and working to secure funding for various nonprofits.  

Kimberly enjoys reading, spending time with her friends and family, and being outdoors.

Hannah Melendy is an Associate Grant Writer at MJH Grants. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing with a minor in English from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

After her sister was diagnosed with Autism, Hannah became dedicated to educating herself and others about ASD. Working for a small Autism center, Hannah gained a newfound appreciation for societal differences and how communities can work together to support neurodivergent individuals. Taking this experience into the world of higher education, Hannah gained important skills in marketing and communications. She is excited to continue assisting communities by using her passion for writing to collaborate on work that supports, teaches, and benefits others.

Hannah enjoys reading historical fiction, drawing, and exploring new places.

Emma Lagno is an Associate Grant Writer at MJH Grants. She received her B.A. in International Studies, Religious Studies, and French from the University of Miami. She went on to receive her Master of Theological Studies degree from Harvard Divinity School, where she studied the intersection of religion and social justice work.

As an intern at a small environmental organization, she gained a deep appreciation for the passion and work it takes to run a nonprofit. Her education and experience led her to MJH Grants, where she is excited to learn more about grant writing and help enable nonprofits to do their important work.

Emma enjoys reading, writing poetry and fiction, and watching live theatre.