Strategic communications, branding, public relations and digital marketing services exclusively for KC nonprofit organizations.
The Shoestring Agency offers both project-based and ongoing support to nonprofit organizations of all kinds. We have served more than 230 organizations and look forward to putting that experience and expertise to work for your cause. As our name indicates, we are not afraid of shoestring budgets. In fact, it is our mission to provide affordable and effective solutions to nonprofits. Learn more about our
agency and our
services. And see below to learn about our history and how we were born in Kansas City.
HAINES EASON
Senior Director, Client Services + Content Marketing Specialist
LinkedIn |
Digital Business Card
Location: Lawrence, Kansas
Haines is a brand storyteller with a broad background that includes the creative arts, journalism, institutional communications and corporate marketing. In his most recent role, he managed a team of over 20 copywriters and editors for an international senior living referral organization. Haines has previous experience working for globally recognized nonprofits including Care USA, Goodwill Industries and Habitat for Humanity.
Haines is passionate about putting his talents to work for meaningful causes and has spent most of his career working in public service and public service-adjacent roles. He has a deep understanding of the unique challenges nonprofits face when it comes to telling their stories. In his role with The Shoestring Agency, he focuses on the development of impactful content for clients, working with the entire team to develop results-oriented strategies. Haines has a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from the University of Montana and a master’s degree in creative writing from Washington University in St. Louis.
Haines is excited to be a part of the greater Kansas City nonprofit community and bring his skills to work for the many great causes in the area. He is well connected to the local nonprofit community and regional press outlets through his freelance marketing and writing work.
Haines has lived in Missouri and Kansas at different times for a total of over 10 years. Though originally from Virginia, he is a KC barbecue convert-turned-evangelist and gets his burnt ends from
Gates and his pulled pork from
Aurthur Bryant’s. Ribs? There are too many fine establishments to choose from.
Haines currently lives in Lawrence, Kansas, with his wife Joni and their two boys, Jack and Oliver.
(As a content marketing specialist for the agency, Haines also serves clients through our
Shoestring Digital division. )
OUR HISTORY (KANSAS CITY ROOTS)
Did you know that The Shoestring Agency has deep roots in the Kansas City area? Both agency principals attended the University of Kansas and remained connected to the area since they have family, friends and colleagues in the area. In fact, The Shoestring Agency was born in Kansas City.
About Our Founder
Hannah Gregory
President & Chief Creative Officer
While attending the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at KU, Hannah was awarded a scholarship based on an essay where she outlined her plans to one day create an agency that only served nonprofit organizations dedicated to the greater good.
Hannah began her career as a journalist in the area and then worked at Children’s Mercy, where she deepened her passion for causes that matter. She left her full-time job at Children’s Mercy to stay home with a toddler that was facing health issues. Making that hard decision was what put her on the path to found one of the nation’s first agencies dedicated to serving nonprofit organizations. Hannah began as freelance communications consultant, writer and designer — working with organizations such as the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership and the KC chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Council (KCSCLC) which organizes the metro area’s MLK Day events. Her projects while working at Children’s Mercy and for KC area nonprofit organizations won many awards from PRSA and other associations.
After moving to Portland, Maine, in 2001, Hannah founded The Shoestring Agency. Since then, the agency has become one of the premier firms specializing in the nonprofit sector and has recently launched
Shoestring Digital in response to client needs. While there are now a number of agencies dedicated to serving nonprofits, we are proud to have been among the very first — and continue to be leaders in our field.
We are proud of our Kansas City area roots and are excited about serving this great nonprofit community and its many dedicated organizations.
Are you a Kansas City area nonprofit that would like to learn more?
Contact Haines or
submit an inquiry on behalf of your organization.
Some Kansas City area clients served in the past:
Resources for Kansas City area nonprofits:
Conferences & events for Kansas City area nonprofits
