15 Years of Brand Building

116 Projects Completed

Proven track record

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Let’s talk about how we can elevate your strategy — whether you need coaching, a grant proposal, or guidance through your next big move.

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Building Digital Presence & Funding Power: The Marilyn Zayfert + illumiNET Media Story

In 2009, Marilyn Zayfert founded illumiNET Digital Marketing Consultants with a clear vision: empower nonprofits, small businesses, and community organizations to harness the power of storytelling, data, and digital strategy. From Staten Island to Los Angeles, Marilyn's work has amplified missions, attracted funding, and built lasting digital footprints for over 100 clients.
 
Challenge

Many of the organizations Marilyn encountered—especially local nonprofits—were doing incredible work but lacked visibility, cohesive branding, and the digital infrastructure to grow. Others struggled to align messaging with funder expectations or translate their impact into compelling, fundable narratives.

Strategy

Through illumiNET, Marilyn offered something rare: a hybrid of strategic communication, hands-on content creation, digital marketing savvy, and deep grant writing expertise. Her unique approach combined:

• Custom marketing strategy development with an emphasis on brand voice, digital tools, and measurable impact.

• Grant research, writing, and reporting, ensuring alignment with funder priorities and deadlines.

• Content production, including email campaigns, websites, videos, and live event promotion.

• Analytics and reporting using Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, and CRM systems to refine strategy in real-time.
   

Execution & Highlights
 

• illumiNET's Early Impact
  One of Marilyn’s first successes was Second Saturday Staten Island, a local arts initiative that blossomed into a citywide presence, earning coverage in Industry Magazine and support from the Staten Island NYC Ferry kiosk. The campaign expanded through mobile apps and social media, drawing thousands to cultural events like Lumen Fest and St. George Day.

• Digital + Fundraising Wins
  Marilyn developed and managed online campaigns for ReelAbilities Film Festival, the American Cancer Society's Comedy for a Cure (which surpassed its goal by 150%), and designed branding for the U.S. Lighthouse Museum. In total, she has raised over $1,000,000 in grant funding through narrative-driven proposals for community programs.

• Emergency Response Innovation
  During the COVID-19 pandemic, Marilyn led the design and execution of NYC’s first fully remote internship program, serving more than 35,000 students. Her digital strategies supported equitable access to workforce development at a time when many services had collapsed.

• Academic & Professional Development
  As an Adjunct Professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology, she taught Applications of Social Media, equipping emerging professionals with real-world strategy, content creation, and analytics tools. Many of her students have gone on to apply these skills in corporate and nonprofit settings.
   

Results
 

• 100+ clients served across education, arts, health, and social impact sectors

• $1,000,000+ in grant funding secured

• Engagement increased by 30% across client digital campaigns

• Named a finalist in the Battle of the Boros™ Pitch for Impact Contest

• Earned recognition from the NYC Council and community organizations

Marilyn Zayfert doesn’t just “do marketing.” She builds bridges between mission and audience, message and funding. Whether creating a Super Bowl campaign for inclusion or securing critical funding for local nonprofits, Marilyn’s work stands at the intersection of communication, strategy, and impact.

Building Digital Presence

&

Funding Power:

The Marilyn Zayfert -

illumiNET Media Story