About
Aurora Strong was started to help individuals and businesses use grants to scale ideas and solve problems through grant resources and support. Billions of dollars are left unclaimed every year simply because people don’t know where to look or how to ask for it. We bridge that gap by connecting people and organizations to the funding, tools, and support they need to grow, sustain, and make a lasting impact.
Marques Clark
Principal Owner, Aurora Strong
About Marques
Marques Clark is a strategic fundraising consultant, grant writer, and social impact leader with more than 15 years of experience mobilizing philanthropic, federal, and private capital to drive economic mobility and community transformation. His passion for helping individuals, nonprofits, and businesses access the resources they need to grow is what led him to found Aurora Strong, a consulting practice dedicated to demystifying grant funding and making the path to capital more accessible for those who need it most.
Over the course of his career, Marques has created and led fundraising strategies that have acquired multimillions of dollars for businesses, nonprofits, and community development initiatives across education, workforce development, agriculture, small business, and community revitalization. He has managed federal grant programs on behalf of the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Education, overseeing compliance, programmatic delivery, and multi-year reporting cycles that directly served thousands of students and working adults. His track record spans six- and seven-figure grant awards, institutional donor stewardship, and cross-sector partnership development at the national level.
Federal Grant Management
Cooperative Work-Study Grant Program
Managed the Illinois Cooperative Work-Study grant program, delivering paid internship and work-based learning opportunities to 950+ Career and Technical Education (CTE) students annually. Oversaw programmatic compliance, employer partnerships, and federal reporting.
Perkins Career and Technical Education Grant Program
Managed federal Perkins CTE grant funding to expand workforce, youth, and literacy programs serving high-need communities. Designed enrollment and outreach strategies that increased participation among underrepresented students by 25% for six consecutive semesters.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Grant Program
Managed the WIOA Youth Program, overseeing the delivery of free tuition, career training support, and wraparound services for individuals ages 16–24. Secured multi-millions in federal grant funding and directed program strategy, compliance, and cross-departmental operations to expand access to college and career pathways for underrepresented, first-generation, and low-income youth.
Key Accomplishments
- Mobilized $30M+ in philanthropic and corporate commitments through institutional fundraising strategy and high-value donor engagement
- Managed a $70M+ portfolio of institutional funders as primary relationship lead
- Secured six- and seven-figure grants by designing funding strategies and leading proposal development across complex initiatives
- Unlocked $20M+ in previously contingent funding by overseeing progress report development and key outcomes documentation
- Wrote grant proposals that directly yielded $10M+ in new funding for social entrepreneurs and nonprofits
- Advised 1,200+ students annually on career pathways, job readiness, and professional development as a Career Advisor
- Increased career center student traffic by 60% in one year through targeted recruitment and engagement strategies
- Expanded employer partnerships across manufacturing, healthcare, and IT, resulting in a 30% increase in student job placements
- Developed cross-sector partnerships connecting technology companies, workforce development boards, and nonprofit leaders to expand digital skills pathways
- Supervised and led teams of up to 25 staff members, elevating service delivery and organizational performance
Education & Credentials
Publications & Recognition
Pathways: Using a WIOA Youth Program to Get Free Tuition for College and Career Training
Published February 2022 — Seed House Publishing
A visual lookbook guide that walks students, counselors, and young adults through each step of WIOA Youth programs — a U.S. Department of Labor initiative that offers free tuition for college and financial assistance for career training, including books, supplies, transportation, childcare, and paid work experiences. Marques drew on his experience as a WIOA Youth program manager to create this accessible, practical resource for individuals ages 16–24.
REINVENTION: Simple Actions for Achieving Success
Published February 2020 — Amazon
In a three-year study, Marques interviewed more than 100 entrepreneurs, investors, millionaires, CEOs, educators, and philanthropists to discover the personal strategies they used to build success. The resulting guide provides actionable insights for readers at any stage of their journey toward building wealth, creating opportunities, and achieving lasting success.
NACE National Recognition
National Association of Colleges and Employers
Recognized nationally by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) for developing innovative employer engagement strategies that effectively bridge the gap between students and job placement outcomes.
Ready To Work Together?
Whether you are just starting to explore grant funding or looking to scale your fundraising strategy, Marques brings the expertise and hands-on guidance to help you get there.