Technical Assistance & Support Consultants (TASC) is a woman-owned firm that assists progressive organizations with institutional development. Established in 1991, TASC has specialized expertise, broad experience, and a track record of success in the areas of fundraising, written communications, accreditation preparedness, training and coaching, website development, and other management support services.
TASC’s client base is composed of progressive nonprofits operating internationally, nationally, or locally. They meet vital human needs including child and youth development, education, housing and community development, health, women’s issues, and much more.
All consulting work and client relations are overseen by TASC founder Merlene Alicia Vassall. Associates are called upon when their particular expertise is required or when the work of more than one consultant is advisable to meet deadlines.
Merlene Vassall has more than 30 years of experience working with nonprofits. She has developed funding proposals which have secured more than $80 million in support of a variety of projects. She has also written and edited annual reports, newsletters, press releases, testimony, and speeches as well as developed websites. Merlene has spearheaded accreditation processes, has created comprehensive volunteer training manuals, has organized national training programs for volunteers, and has conducted grantsmanship and writing workshops. She has also written and self-published two novels.
The daughter of Jamaican immigrants and the youngest of ten siblings, Merlene grew up the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York before it underwent gentrification. Work has been an important part of her life since she landed her first job as a dog walker for an elderly neighbor — a job she kept from the age of twelve through fifteen. Merlene also worked part time as a clerk at the Brooklyn Public Library while attending Clara Barton High School, graduating as valedictorian.
Merlene was employed as a Work-Study student while earning her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Cornell University. She later obtained a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center’s evening program while working full time at the National Black Child Development Institute, eventually as NBCDI’s Director of Affiliate Programs. Besides her consulting work, Merlene Vassall’s other employment experience includes serving as Grant Writer for Providence Health Foundation, Grants Developer for the District of Columbia Public Schools, and Director of Development for TransAfrica and TransAfrica Forum.