Our team

Paul Mastrodonato, president, strategic planning, grantseeking, board training
Paul Mastrodonato has spent the last 15 years working with and for nonprofit organizations, including eight years as the executive director of the Rochester Landscape Technicians Program – a job training and placement program for lower-income and unemployed men and women. Paul holds a master's degree in public administration with a focus on organizational management from SUNY Brockport. In 1999, he established Nonprofit Works, a New York-based consulting firm that specializes in courses, training and consulting for nonprofits and municipalities in grantseeking, strategic planning, and board development. Paul’s presentation style is known for being informative, interactive, relaxed, and fun. Paul is a past vice-president of professional development for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and he is a three-time chairperson of the AFP’s National Philanthropy Day celebration. He also serves on the board of directors and committees of various nonprofit organizations.

Margit Brazda Poirier, grant planning, research and writing
Margit Brazda Poirier brings over 10 years of nonprofit management and executive leadership to the Nonprofit Works team. Margit has written and received numerous grants from federal, state, foundation, and corporate sources – and she has the unique perspective of knowing “both sides” of the funding world, given her experience leading a prominent foundation that issued over 100 grants annually. Margit holds a Master’s degree in Natural Resource Management from SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry and a Bachelor’s degree from Colgate University. She is also an adjunct professor at Rochester Institute of Technology and Monroe Community College. In addition to grantseeking, Margit’s strengths include technical writing, board facilitation, and project management.

Adrianne Herman, training and administrative coordinator
Adrianne Herman is responsible for coordinating Nonprofit Works courses and workshops, and for arranging customized training for groups of all sizes. Adrianne also assists with client projects, including board training and strategic planning. Most recently, she began honing her grant research skills, which she uses to find grant opportunities for clients and create grantmaker profiles that meet their funding needs. Adrianne has a long history consisting of one-on-one training and guidance, with clients that span various fields – from administrative assistance to holistic healing and nutrition. Most important, Adrianne derives great satisfaction in attending to the needs of others, and prides herself on providing the utmost attention to details.

Jeff Brand, website development and computer technology
Jeff Brand is a computer technology expert who believes that computers should accommodate people, instead of people adapting to computers. Jeff holds a bachelor's degree in Information Technology from Rochester Institute of Technology, where he gained an appreciation of graphical interface design and software usability assessment. He's since developed numerous websites, databases and computer applications for large and small organizations alike, and receives high marks for his ability to explain computer concepts to the "non-techie" crowd. He is a founding member and webmaster for the Rochester Music Coalition.