7/9/2014 To whom it may concern: I am writing this letter of recommendation for Mary E. Costello, with whom I had the pleasure of working for nine months, from July, 2013 to April, 2014. I am the Executive Director of the non-profit Medical Education Institute (MEI), an organization that offers education and support to help people with chronic kidney disease live as fully as possible. When our Marketing Director of 20 years retired last year after several years at just 40% time, MEI had a backlog of development tasks, and we had recently appealed to the Internal Revenue Service to become a Public Charity instead of a Private Operating Foundation, and were in the 5-year determination period. We needed a seasoned professional to help us. Although Mary had been working as a consultant, our need was great enough that she graciously agreed to accept an 80% time position as Development Director that allowed her to consult on the side. During her tenure with us, Mary advocated articulately on behalf of our efforts with clients, developed a comprehensive and ambitious 5-year development plan, researched grantmaking organizations and found prospects for us, identified tracking resources that we were unaware of, like Sales Force and Stay Classy, and helped us write a number of proposals. Mary is also an excellent writer, and is very gracious and effective on the phone. The very first month that Mary joined us, she helped us write a lengthy and complex federal grant proposal that was on a very tight deadline, requiring effort above and beyond her 80% position. There was no way we could have successfully submitted that proposal without her help! Her knowledge of local, federal, and foundation grants is extensive, and she is terrific at keeping track of details, prioritizing, and following up. Mary is an intelligent and committed non-profit professional, and I highly recommend her services. Ultimately, Mary decided to return to her consulting business, but the Medical Education Institute is better off for having worked with Mary, and we learned a lot from our time together. I’m certain that Mary’s expertise will be of value to any organization that works with her. Sincerely,

Dori Schatell, MS Executive Director Medical Education Institute, Inc.

November 25, 2014

To Whom It May Concern: I am pleased to offer this letter of recommendation for Mary E. Costello, who intermittently provided grant writing and other consulting services to our non-profit organization in 2010, 2012, and 2014. One of our biggest successes involved winning a $40,000 GlaxoSmithKline IMPACT Award in 2010. As a small, rural organization, we were a major underdog in that state-wide competition and this funding was, to date, the single highest award in Club Horizon’s history. I joined Club Horizon last year as Executive Director. Based on all the positive feedback I received about Mary’s previous work with our organization, I contacted her for additional help early in my tenure. During our work together, I found Mary to be extremely insightful, diligent, honest, and reliable. She always went beyond the call of duty, frequently working weekends and evenings to complete our various projects while balancing our needs with those of her other clients. Mary also served as a valued confidant and coach for me this year, providing constant support as I worked to introduce much needed organizational change and expansion. With her guidance and encouragement, I was able to communicate more effectively about all the wonderful services Club Horizon provides, while putting in motion a plan for long-term viability and increased impact. Without question, Mary’s extensive non-profit experience and leadership abilities would be an asset to any organization. But she is also personable, warm, enthusiastic, and humorous. Our recent collaboration was both highly productive and enjoyable, and I am happy to say that we do stay in touch. Personally, I found Mary to be a knowledgeable and passionate advocate for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness. But our many conversations revealed that she is the consummate social worker, dedicated to helping any and all persons in need. I recommend her consulting services without reservation, and I welcome your phone call or email if you have pointed questions about Mary’s skills, work style, and personal attributes. I can be reached at 919-266-2202 or ktroupgalley@clubhorizon.org. Sincerely, Karen Troup-Galley Executive Director