Propel Your Project Forward
Our team
Senior Grant Writer, Senior Project Manager, Owner
Jason Ruggiero
Born and raised in rural Pennsylvania, Jason is passionate about building resilient and thriving communities, especially through the redevelopment of historic buildings. He has spent more than 15 years working in and around government agencies, first as an intern for U.S. Senator Arlen Specter, later as Venango County Planning Director, and now as founder and principal of Spark Community Capital, LLC.
Jason is an accomplished grant writer with a proven track record of success in grant-funded community development projects, overseeing the receipt and deployment of more than $46 million in grant funds during his career. He specializes in building complex funding stacks that are simultaneously sourced from multiple local, state, and federal sources and is also an experienced project manager who can help owners navigate the construction process.
Account Manager, Grant Writer & Project Manager
Paige Schamberg
As a native of northwestern Pennsylvania, Paige has a passion for seeing small communities thrive. Her experiences living in both small towns and rural areas have deepened her appreciation for the history, beauty, and value these communities and their residents bring.
Paige earned a degree in professional writing and journalism, which led her to a successful career in marketing. Merging her love for rural communities with her writing skills, she played a key role in developing comprehensive branding and marketing strategies for county-wide tourism agencies, economic development authorities, and local amenities. Recognizing these organizations' strong need for grant funding to fulfill their missions, she transitioned into grant writing.
Now, as a grant writer and account manager with Spark Community Capital, LLC Paige leverages her expertise to assist municipalities, economic development authorities, small businesses, and nonprofits with grant writing, funding strategy development, and project management.
Grant Writer & Assistant Project Manager
Peyton Jackson
Peyton Jackson is an emerging professional in grant writing and project management. She is dedicated to creating opportunities for others through grants, especially in the arts and for projects that benefit her community.
After graduating from Robert Morris University with a Bachelor of Arts in Professional writing, Peyton joined Mercyhurst University as part of the Government and Foundation Relations team. In this role she gained expertise in managing foundation grants as identified funding opportunities from private foundations, collaborated with faculty, and developed foundation proposals designed to advance strategic iniatives.
As the newest member of Spark Community Capital, LLC, Peyton is enthusiastic about bringing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to her new workplace.
Grants Manager & Project Manager
Jennifer Popa
Jen is a grant writer and project manager with a background in higher education, literary publishing, and creative storytelling. After over a decade as a college professor, she transitioned out of academia to focus on mission-driven work that blends strategy and narrative. Jen holds a BA in English, an MFA in Creative Writing, and a PhD in English, and she earned her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification in 2024.
For more than 20 years, Jen has worked as an editor for literary magazines, honing a sharp editorial eye and a deep appreciation for voice, structure, and audience. At Spark Community Capital, she brings that experience to bear as Grants Manager, helping organizations tell their stories in ways that resonate with funders.
Jen is especially skilled at transforming complex information into clear, compelling cases for support. Her academic training and writing background give her a unique ability to combine big-picture thinking with close attention to detail. A lifelong lover of language, Jen is in a committed relationship with the em dash—and has been known to reorganize entire sentences just to accommodate one. Whether she’s managing deadlines, drafting grant narratives, or collaborating with partners across sectors, Jen approaches each project with curiosity, clarity, and care.
She’s passionate about helping communities access the funding they need to grow, adapt, and thrive. She believes the best proposals don’t just meet the criteria—they tell the truth of why the work matters, and who it’s meant to serve. They tell a story powerful enough to make someone say yes.