Hidden Gems: Meet Farrah Smith of The Maria Group

Today we’d like to introduce you to Farrah Smith.

Hi Farrah, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in a small town in Ohio with no connections, little money, and a lot of fear and self-doubt. Yet I carried a quiet, unshakable sense that I was meant for something more. I didn’t know exactly what that “more” was—only that I couldn’t ignore the pull. Even when I lacked confidence, I had unwavering determination. That inner drive became the force behind every bold decision, every setback I grew from, and every step toward a life filled with purpose and impact.

Early in my career, I climbed the corporate ladder in hospitality, luxury real estate, and Hollywood events. On paper, I looked successful and should have been happy. Underneath the surface, though, I felt disconnected. Something was missing. I began to understand that chasing titles and prestige wasn’t leading to fulfillment. I wanted my work to matter and contribute to something bigger than myself.

Of course, recognizing your purpose and having the courage to pursue it are two very different things. I had no roadmap, no idea how to break into the nonprofit world, no inside track—just a growing desire to create meaningful change.

Transitioning into the nonprofit sector meant stepping into completely new territory. I wasn’t coming from a traditional background, but I brought a deep passion for mission-driven work and a strong foundation in relationship-building and strategic thinking. What drew me to ocean conservation was watching the TV show Whale Wars, where I saw brave volunteers traveling to the Southern Ocean to protect whales from poachers. Their courage and dedication made me realize I wanted to be part of something that important.

When I landed a role leading major gifts and VIP relations for one of the top global ocean conservation organizations, it changed the trajectory of my career. I had a front-row seat to what it truly takes to fund change—not just passion, but also clarity, consistency, and connection. That decade taught me how to inspire support through authentic storytelling, strategic alignment, and long-term donor trust. It laid the foundation for the work I do now.

Today, I serve as Director of Development at The Maria Group, where we help mission-driven nonprofits grow their fundraising capacity through major gifts, campaigns, and strategic donor engagement. I’m also a certified life coach, helping individuals navigate their own transitions toward purpose-driven work—because I know firsthand how transformative that journey can be.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all. The road was anything but smooth, especially in the beginning. I had no idea how to break into the nonprofit world, and without traditional experience, I was consistently overlooked. I knew I had transferable skills, but convincing others was another story. I faced rejection after rejection, and there were nights I questioned whether I had made a huge mistake leaving behind the security of my corporate career, especially one that looked so glamorous from the outside.

The emotional toll was real: imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and the fear that I wouldn’t find my place in the kind of work I felt called to do. Still, even in the uncertainty, I stayed committed to the vision. I kept refining my skills, learning from every experience, and holding onto the belief that the right opportunity would come.

Eventually, an opportunity opened up at one of my favorite charities, and I was ready. More than just teaching me the mechanics of fundraising, that role taught me how to embrace the long game—to see challenges not as signs to quit, but as part of the journey. That mindset shift changed everything.

At The Maria Group, I help nonprofits develop that same resilience. When fundraising feels uncertain or progress is slow, we guide leaders through challenges while building toward sustainable, long-term growth.

We’ve been impressed with The Maria Group, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Maria Group is a boutique development consulting agency that helps mission-driven nonprofits build sustainable, high-performing fundraising programs.

We partner with organizations across sectors including animal welfare, environmental protection, youth development, and community services, helping them raise millions through major gifts, donor cultivation, capital campaigns, grant development, and high-impact fundraising events.

What I’m most proud of is how we guide organizations from overwhelm to strategy. We don’t just offer advice. We build capacity by helping them design comprehensive development programs, including donor strategy, messaging, systems, structure, staffing, and board expansion—everything needed to support long-term growth.

We’ve helped a small animal rescue secure its first six-figure gift and guided environmental nonprofits through million-dollar campaigns that expanded their reach. One organization tripled its revenue over four years while reducing fundraising events by 75%. Another grew its operating budget from $90,000 to $360,000. Since 2018, The Maria Group has helped secure over millions in grant funding for our clients.

What sets us apart is our deep partnership approach. We don’t believe in cookie-cutter solutions. We embed ourselves in each organization’s culture, understand their goals, and co-create strategies that align with their mission and capacity. Our team is hands-on and committed. We develop practical tools, clarify messaging, and work alongside our clients to implement plans that deliver real results. We operate with complete confidentiality and believe in trust-based partnerships that put our clients’ interests first.

We also bring a fresh, external perspective, free from internal politics, ingrained habits, or institutional inertia that can keep teams stuck. That clarity helps uncover new opportunities, challenge assumptions, and move organizations forward with confidence.

At The Maria Group, our mission is to help nonprofit leaders feel clear, confident, and empowered, because when they thrive, so does their impact.

How do you think about luck?
Luck definitely plays a role, but I see it as something you prepare for. A lucky break only matters if you’re ready when it shows up. I’ve had moments of good luck: a chance connection, the right opportunity at just the right time, or a client discovering us on the cusp of major growth. But those moments only became meaningful because of the groundwork that came before—years of building skills, relationships, and a reputation for delivering results.

Being based in California has also been a plus. The philanthropic community here is strong, values-driven, and deeply invested in mission-aligned work.

There have been challenges too. Supporting nonprofits through COVID, economic instability, and shifting political climates forced us to become more strategic. We helped clients pivot to virtual events, strengthen digital donor engagement, and explore new funding opportunities.

Ultimately, it’s experience, clarity, creativity, resilience, and a commitment to showing up fully that keeps us moving forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.farrahesmith.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachfarrahsmith
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachfarrahsmith
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farrahsmith/
• Other: https://www.themariagroup.net/

Image Credits
Lead Image Photo Credit Jasmine Lord Photography