Gloria Lawrence
About Me
I’m Gloria Lawrence, the Founder and CEO of Esi’s House, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free housing and holistic support for young mothers and their children as they pursue economic mobility.
As a proud graduate of Morgan State University, my own journey as a young mom in college shaped my passion for creating opportunities for others. Entrepreneurship, skill-building, and innovative problem-solving helped me stabilize my life and thrive after graduation, and now I’m dedicated to helping other women do the same.
In addition to leading Esi’s House, I work as a Program Associate at the Hoffberger Foundation, where I help fund initiatives that support children’s mental health and trauma and workforce development and economic mobility. This role allows me to combine my love for philanthropy and creative problem-solving to create meaningful change.
Before stepping into the grant making world, I founded Nonprofit For Newbies, a consulting firm that helps early-stage organizations establish strong foundations and achieve sustainable growth. Over time, I’ve built a community of more than 20,000 followers across social media platforms by sharing practical advice on nonprofit management, funding strategies, and board development.
As a licensed consultant with the Maryland Association for Nonprofits’ Standards for Excellence, I’ve worked with countless grassroots leaders—especially those offering human services and rooted in the communities they serve—to develop strategic plans tailored to their unique challenges and strengths. My approach prioritizes the lived experiences of Founders who are often balancing employment with purpose, funders seeking innovative solutions to persistent community challenges, and communities longing for leadership that reflects and understands them.
While my current responsibilities at Hoffberger and Esi’s House have limited my ability to consult full-time, I’ve poured my experience into launching the MissionMatch program. This initiative connects mission-driven grassroots organizations with virtual administrative assistants trained in nonprofit management and governance—many of whom are stay-at-home moms, retired professionals, and other women in need of remote work and ongoing career support. It’s a win-win solution that empowers both nonprofits and women looking to re-enter the workforce or build flexible careers.
At my core, I’m a mentor at heart and an out-of-the-box problem solver. I believe in creating supportive ecosystems where women and children can thrive, break barriers, and dream big. When I’m not mentoring women or building connections in the community, you’ll probably find me in the kitchen trying out new recipes or planning my next adventure abroad.
Esi is the name given to our Founder, Gloria Lawrence when she took her first international trip to Ghana. In Ghanaian tradition, "Esi" is a feminine name bestowed upon a child to commemorate the day they became part of a family. It symbolizes being "Born on a Sunday," aligning with the Akan people's practice of naming children after their birth day. Significantly, the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Esi's House will take place on a Sunday, a day of rest, where our girls can finally find solace, assured that they and their children are
secure, supported, and enveloped by the warmth of their community, even as there is work still to be done.
Our Team
