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The Chirp
Trace Hoekstra
Chris Koepplin
Canary Consulting Group expands services and team with new experts in grants and strategy
DES MOINES, IA – July 2025
Canary Consulting Group, a Central Iowa-based nonprofit consulting firm, announced the launch of new grant coaching and readiness services alongside the addition of two experienced consultants: Trace Hoekstra and Chris Koepplin.
The new service offering is designed to help nonprofits strengthen their internal capacity and improve fundraising readiness in an increasingly competitive grant landscape.
Trace Hoekstra brings more than 20 years of experience in grant writing and strategic communications and holds certification from the Grant Professionals Association. Her grant strategies have helped secure more than $145M in funding since 2020 across a range of nonprofit sectors.
Chris Koepplin joins Canary Consulting Group as a seasoned nonprofit executive with deep expertise in leading mergers, expanding services, building strong teams, and navigating organizational transitions and crises.
“Chris and Trace bring an incredible depth of knowledge and insight to the Canary Consulting Group team,” said Jodi Rhone, Founding Partner. “We’ve had a front-row seat as they’ve helped nonprofits succeed, and we’re thrilled to have their expertise available to our clients.”
Founded in 2019 by Jodi Rhone and Andy Haning-Brown, Canary Consulting Group works with nonprofit organizations across Iowa. The firm offers right-sized solutions for strategic planning, merger and partnership exploration, optimizing operations, and now, grant coaching and readiness.
About Canary Consulting Group
Canary Consulting Group is a nonprofit consulting firm based in Des Moines, Iowa. With a no-nonsense, practical approach, Canary Consulting Group partners with mission-driven organizations to solve complex problems and build capacity for the future. Learn more at www.canaryconsultinggroup.com.
Media Contact
Jodi Rhone, Founding Partner
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