Why Big Carrot
We believe in building strong organizations that serve their communities. Carrots are our favorite metaphor for growing an organization’s success.
Carrots are great for your vision. They literally help you see where you’re going.
Carrots are deeply rooted. They’re part of their ecosystem.
Carrots are a reward for a job well done. Creating the framework for long term success can feel like hard work, but it’s never a punishment. We’re here to help with that.
Who we are
Lindsey Wahowiak is principal of Big Carrot Strategies. A longtime community organizer, writer and editor, Lindsey has spent more than a decade helping to build functional and resilient nonprofits across the country. She led work with the American Public Health Association’s state and regional affiliates, and has served as director of volunteer engagement with the DC Abortion Fund and chair of the board at Girls Rock! DC. She has a degree in journalism from Central Michigan University, and sits on the Bob Moog Foundation’s board of directors. In her spare time, she plays bass in garage bands and volunteers with We Are Family DC.
What People Are Saying
“Working with Lindsey from Big Carrot Strategies was a game-changer for our organization. She has a unique gift for making fundraising feel approachable rather than overwhelming, truly lowering the barrier to entry for our team.
What set Lindsey apart was her ability to deliver practical, immediately actionable strategies. One of our Board members said it best: They'd attended several fundraising workshops before, but this was the first session that actually brought real value. Lindsey didn't just share theory—she gave us tools we could use right away.
The proof was in the results: Board members left our session energized and ready to act, with several already securing donor meetings and commitments before our next meeting.
If you're looking for someone who can demystify fundraising and empower your team with concrete next steps, then work with Lindsey!”
Reilly Martin, Executive Director
Technologists for the Public Good“There are many aspects of Lindsey’s professionalism that have had a long-lasting, positive impact on our nonprofit — the compassion with which she delivers tough feedback, the humor she weaves into her communication, the ability to provide a structure of accountability that is rigorous but accessible. Lindsey set a tone that we have been able to maintain which has enabled our nonprofit to retain board members while advancing our mission.
It is a rare professional who is able to balance managing the bigger picture without losing the minute details and Lindsey is somehow capable of executing both simultaneously.”
Nichole Savage, Board Chair
Girls Rock! DC
Contact us
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we’ll be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!