Grant Writing & Funding

In this solo episode, Holly Rustick shares her expertise on navigating the realities of working in the nonprofit sector and building a sustainable, profitable career in grant writing. She dives into why some nonprofit roles can become toxic, the structural challenges within nonprofit organizations, and why grant writers are often underpaid. Holly also breaks down how federal funding flows to nonprofits, the limitations placed on 501(c)(3) organizations, and how you can leverage freelance grant writing to replace your income and build a successful 5–6 figure business.ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICKGrant Writing & Funding (GWF) has a Global Movement to Secure $1 Billion in Grant Funding for Good and $30 Million in Grant Writing Businesses by 2030. Holly Rustick, CEO of GWF, is leading the movement; a world-renowned grant writer with 20+ years of experience, bestselling author, and business coach for new and seasoned grant writers to replace their full-time income writing grants part-time from home through her signature programs: the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and the Grant Professional Mentorship.Rustick is the host of the top grant writing podcast “Grant Writing & Funding” and the author of the Bestselling book, The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing. With an MA in International Political Economy, past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and serving on numerous boards of directors, Holly is also an unapologetic feminist. She lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella.CONNECT WITH HOLLY RUSTICKWebsite: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

We made it—300 episodes!To celebrate this milestone, we’re giving you free access to our bestselling ebook, The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing—because this podcast has always been about equipping you with the tools to succeed.In this special episode, Holly reflects on why she started the Grant Writing & Funding podcast and how it has grown into a global movement supporting grant writers and nonprofits alike.We dive into the power of podcasting—not just as a platform, but as a way to build meaningful relationships, share knowledge, and create impact across communities.Holly also shares her vision for the future of the podcast, along with insights into the incredible power grant writers have to drive change. From helping nonprofits secure critical funding to building their own financial stability, grant writers play a vital role in shaping a better world.If you’ve been part of this journey—or are just getting started—this episode is a celebration of what’s possible.Be sure to give it a listen!ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICKGrant Writing & Funding (GWF) has a Global Movement to Secure $1 Billion in Grant Funding for Good and $30 Million in Grant Writing Businesses by 2030. Holly Rustick, CEO of GWF, is leading the movement; a world-renowned grant writer with 20+ years of experience, bestselling author, and business coach for new and seasoned grant writers to replace their full-time income writing grants part-time from home through her signature programs: the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and the Grant Professional Mentorship.Rustick is the host of the top grant writing podcast “Grant Writing & Funding” and the author of the Bestselling book, The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing. With an MA in International Political Economy, past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce, serving on numerous boards of directors, Holly is also an unapologetic feminist. She lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella. CONNECT WITH HOLLY RUSTICKWebsite: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox.https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing.https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.———————————————————————————This podcast episode is sponsored by Bloomerang!Bloomerang is a donor management and fundraising platform built specifically for nonprofits to help you raise more, retain donors, and grow your impact. With powerful tools for donor engagement, reporting, and relationship management, Bloomerang makes it easier to build meaningful connections and drive sustainable funding.Learn more at: https://bloomerang.com/———————————————————————————

In this episode, Emily Kelly, Bloomerang’s National Accounts Manager, joins us to share how nonprofits can strengthen donor relationships and improve retention through effective use of donor management software. We discuss how organizations can stay connected with donors, avoid losing critical donor data, and adapt to changes in donor sponsorship—especially in light of inflation and shifting giving trends.ABOUT OUR GUESTEmily Kelly is Bloomerang’s National Accounts Manager, where she cultivates and maintains partnerships with national nonprofit organizations, affiliates, and existing partners. She brings expertise in donor engagement, retention strategies, and helping nonprofits leverage technology to grow sustainable fundraising.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.———————————————————————————This podcast episode is sponsored by Bloomerang.Bloomerang is a donor management and fundraising platform built specifically for nonprofits to help you acquire, retain, and engage donors more effectively. With powerful tools for donor data, communication, and reporting, Bloomerang helps organizations grow sustainable fundraising results while saving time. Learn more about how Bloomerang can support your nonprofit’s mission.———————————————————————————

This episode, Teresa Huff is the host of the Grant Writing Simplified Podcast and the go-to expert in grant writer coaching and nonprofit grant strategy. Teresa joins us to discuss the different ways to assess the ROI of grant writing, how nonprofits can optimize the process of their grant applications, and win more grants. She also talks about how nonprofits can increase their relevance, the type of research you need to do before creating a nonprofit, and how nonprofits can leverage tools like ChatGPT.About Teresa HuffTeresa Huff is the host of the Grant Writing Simplified Podcast and the go-to expert in grant writer coaching and nonprofit grant strategy. She’s helped nonprofits triple their funding and maximize their impact. After winning over $7 million for schools and nonprofits, she now teaches grant writers and nonprofits the strategies they need to develop millions in sustainable, long-term funding. Her podcast has been downloaded in over 100 countries across 6 continents; more than 3,000 students worldwide have completed her online grant writing programs.Teresa uses her Master’s in Education and over 20 years of experience in writing, special education, and business to help nonprofit leaders take their skills to the next level. She mentors grant writers through her interactive Fast Track to Grant Writer VIP Coaching Program, now available for university level credit.Connect with TeresaWebsiteLinkedInInstagramResources mentioned in this episodeGrant Writing Simplified PodcastThe Real ROI of Grant Writing TEDxHow Nonprofits Get Funding from Grants, Fundraisers, and DonorsUsing Chat GPT and AI for Grant WritingLessons Learned as a Nonprofit Executive Director & Nonprofit ConsultantOTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.Thank you Bloomerang for sponsoring this week's podcast!Bloomerang offers donor management, online fundraising, and volunteer management software that helps small to medium nonprofits, like First Tee of Greater Akron.After just one year with Bloomerang First Tee of Greater Akron doubled their unique donors, improved donor stewardship, and raised more funds.To hear the full story, visit bloomerang.com/grantwritingpodcast/

This episode, DeaRonda Harrison explains how nonprofits can get funding, build relationships, and grow their business. DeaRonda Harrison is a grant writing specialist who works with nonprofits to help them win grants. DeaRonda joins us to discuss the funding options for small nonprofits, how nonprofits can build relationships with funding boards, and get past grant funding gatekeepers. She also talks about the business aspect of nonprofits, how to put together a grant plan, and what to do if your grant applications are unsuccessful. What you’ll learn in this episode:New and emerging grant opportunities for small nonprofits.How to put together a grant plan. What it’s like being a nonprofit startup. Ways nonprofits can start to get funding. What to do if you’re not having success in your grant applications. How to build a relationship with funding boards. Different systems to get grant funders. The gatekeepers involved in getting grant funding. The business aspect of nonprofits. How nonprofits can demonstrate they have experience with money management. About DeaRonda HarrisonDeaRonda Harrison is the founder and President of June First Firm, a grant writing firm specializing in assisting nonprofits under new leadership transform their organization. She works to onboard and train their new grants team reducing burnout, turnover, and lack of support. DeaRonda knows and understands too well why quality grant professionals are leaving nonprofits in droves and wants to be a support system to properly train and onboard those new to the industry as well as more seasoned professionals. DeaRonda has worked at and consulted with numerous leading nonprofits as a grant professional and has 10 years of experience as a grant writer winning awards totaling $35M over the course of her career. Her nonprofit specialty are those that focus on human services, K-12 education, workforce development, housing, and healthcare services. DeaRonda is a member of the Grant Professionals Association (GPA) where she served as Georgia Chapter President for two years. She obtained her Master of Business Administration from Ashford University and Bachelor of Science degree from the prestigious Tuskegee University. Connect with DeaRonda:Website LinkedInQuotables:“Putting numbers to everything they were doing really helped them take their programs to another level because of the structure.”“An important step is cultivation. My most successful clients develop relationships with funders, they introduce them to the organization so when they get the application it’s not the first time they’ve heard of the organization.”“Instead of just asking for money, date those funders.”Resources mentioned in this episode:Train Up Your Grant WriterHow Your Nonprofit Can Stand Out in the Funder’s Eyes Charity Navigator4 Steps Executive Directors of Nonprofits Can Lead with ConfidenceImproving the communication between grant funders and nonprofitsTop 10 Responsibilities of a Nonprofit Executive DirectorOTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.———————————————————————————Thank you Bloomerang for sponsoring this week’s podcast!Bloomerang offers donor management, online fundraising, and volunteer management software that helps small to medium nonprofits, like First Tee of Greater Akron.After just one year with Bloomerang First Tee of Greater Akron doubled their unique donors, improved donor stewardship, and raised more funds.To hear the full story, visit bloomerang.com/grantwritingpodcast/ ———————————————————————————

Elvis joins us to discuss the data security and privacy risks for nonprofits, the effect cybersecurity breaches can have on funding, and how nonprofits can reduce data breaches. He also shares why nonprofits are often targeted by hackers, the SOPs organizations should implement to minimize risk, and what really happens when a nonprofit gets hacked.ABOUT OUR GUESTElvis Moreland is an award-winning senior executive and subject matter expert in cyber risk management. He is recognized as a Computerworld Premier 100 Leader and brings deep expertise in helping organizations strengthen their cybersecurity posture and mitigate risk.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

Are you relying too heavily on social media to connect with your audience?In this episode, Kirsten Roland, Founder of Million Dollar CEO and expert marketing coach, shares why email marketing is one of the most powerful—and often underutilized—tools for nonprofits.We dive into why email marketing can be more effective than social media when it comes to building real relationships and driving action from donors and supporters. Kirsten explains how nonprofits can use email to create deeper connections, increase engagement, and ultimately grow their funding.We also explore practical email strategies, including what types of content nonprofits should be sending, how to nurture your audience through consistent communication, and how to structure emails for better results. Kirsten breaks down what size your email list should be—and why quality and engagement matter more than just numbers.If you want to strengthen your donor relationships and create a more reliable communication channel, this episode will show you how to leverage email marketing effectively.ABOUT OUR GUESTKirsten Roland is the Founder of Million Dollar CEO and a highly respected marketing coach who helps entrepreneurs and organizations grow their businesses through strategic marketing. She specializes in email marketing, client communication, and scalable marketing systems.Kirsten is passionate about helping nonprofits and business owners build authentic connections with their audiences and create marketing strategies that drive real results.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home.https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

This episode, Sabrina Walker-Hernandez explains the ways to create a good board, how you should interact with your board members, and the different ways to get board members engaged with funding. Sabrina Walker-Hernandez is the CEO of Supporting World Hope and has over 25 years of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, and leadership.Sabrina joins us to discuss board development, the different aspects of fundraising, and how nonprofits should market themselves. She also talks about the best practices of running a board, the type of relationship CEOs should have with their board, and the power of the title CEO. What you’ll learn in this episode:The role of a nonprofit Executive Director with their board. Ways to engage your board throughout the year. How to get your board involved with fundraising. Common mistakes Executive Director’s make when creating a board. How to create a good board of directors. Who you should have as your board members.How to interact with your board members.Best practices of running a board. The different aspects of fundraising. About Sabrina Walker-HernandezSabrina Walker-Hernandez is the CEO of Supporting World Hope and has over 25 years of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, and leadership.She grew her operation revenue from $750,000 to $2.5M and completed a $12M capital campaign.Sabrina is certified in Nonprofit Management by Harvard Business School and is a bestselling author.Connect with Sabrina Walker Hernandez:WebsiteEmailQuotables:“A lot of people say they have a fundraising problem but it really is a board problem.”“Get the board right and the fundraising will come.”“You always need to be fundraising. For a healthy organization no more than 20 percent of your budget should rely on one source.”Resources mentioned in this episode:Free VIP Resource Library with sample documents for board, marketing, fundraising and policies. Nonprofit Consulting ConferenceFreelance Grant Writer Academy WaitlistHub Haven Weekly Newsletter Stress-Free Grant Writing Tips3 Tactics You Didn’t Know to Become a Nonprofit Executive Director NinjaTop 10 Responsibilities of a Nonprofit Executive DirectorThe Flawless Framework to Transform a Nonprofit’s Board of Directors with Sean KosofskyOTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.———————————————————————————Thank you Bloomerang for sponsoring this week’s podcast!Bloomerang offers donor management, online fundraising, and volunteer management software that helps small to medium nonprofits, like First Tee of Greater Akron.After just one year with Bloomerang First Tee of Greater Akron doubled their unique donors, improved donor stewardship, and raised more funds.To hear the full story, visit bloomerang.com/grantwritingpodcast/ ———————————————————————————

Gregory joins us to share his expertise on nonprofit leadership and governance, breaking down the essential habits every board member should develop to effectively support an organization’s mission. He discusses how to communicate clearly with board members, properly onboard new members, and create a strong foundation for engagement and accountability.We also explore practical ways to teach board members what good governance looks like, how bringing in consultants can help reinforce key messages, and strategies to ensure board members stay actively involved and committed to their roles.ABOUT OUR GUESTGregory is an experienced nonprofit CEO, consultant, and public speaker specializing in nonprofit leadership and governance. He is BoardSource Certified in Nonprofit Board Consulting and has helped hundreds of organizations strengthen their leadership and impact. As former CEO of the Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNPE), he expanded services to support over 500 nonprofits and launched key leadership development programs for executives.With a background spanning the nonprofit, corporate, and public sectors—including roles as Executive Director of Green Hill Therapy and Vice President at Bank of America—Gregory brings a well-rounded perspective to his work. He is also a military veteran and former attorney in the U.S. Army JAG Corps, and holds degrees from the University of Notre Dame and Notre Dame Law School. His leadership has been recognized nationally, including being named a “40 Under 40” honoree.CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTWebsiteEmailPodcastOTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.—————————————————————————————Support for this episode is brought to you by our friends at Bloomerang. Bloomerang offers donor management, online fundraising, and volunteer management software that helps small to medium nonprofits, like First Tee of Greater Akron. After just one year with Bloomerang, First Tee of Greater Akron doubled their unique donors, improved donor stewardship, and raised more funds. To hear the full story visit bloomerang.com/grantwritingpodcast/.—————————————————————————————

Jess Campbell is an email list expert and seasoned nonprofit fundraiser who has raised over $17 million throughout her career—and in this episode, she shares exactly how you can strengthen your digital fundraising strategy.We dive into how to run effective end-of-year campaigns that not only bring in donations but also create long-term donor relationships.Jess breaks down how to turn one-time end-of-year donors into consistent monthly supporters, why donor retention should be a top priority, and how building a strong donor base can create more sustainable funding for your nonprofit.We also explore what makes an email marketing campaign truly effective—from messaging to strategy—and how to grow your digital campaigns in a way that feels both authentic and impactful.If you’re looking to level up your fundraising, especially during your most important giving season, this episode is packed with insights you can put into action right away.ABOUT OUR GUESTJess Campbell is an email marketing expert and nonprofit fundraising strategist with nearly two decades of experience helping organizations grow their donor base and increase revenue. Over her career, she has raised more than $17 million for nonprofits through strategic campaigns, donor engagement, and digital marketing.Jess specializes in helping nonprofits leverage email marketing to build stronger relationships, improve donor retention, and create sustainable, recurring revenue streams.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!This helps me support more people — just like you — move toward writing higher quality grants without overwhelm, and to start and grow successful grant writing businesses!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.———————————————————————————This podcast episode is sponsored by Bloomerang!Bloomerang is a donor management and fundraising platform built specifically for nonprofits to help you raise more, retain donors, and grow your impact. With powerful tools for donor engagement, reporting, and relationship management, Bloomerang makes it easier to build meaningful connections and drive sustainable funding.Learn more at: https://bloomerang.com/———————————————————————————

Dr. Patton McDowell is a nonprofit consultant, leadership expert, and mastermind coach. Dr. Patton joins us to discuss the different ways executive directors can advance their leadership skills, effectively network, and build solid relationships. He also talks about how to consistently grow, engage with board members, and stay strategic throughout the year. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move toward writing higher quality grants without overwhelm, and to start and grow successful grant writing businesses! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!" Support for this episode is brought to you by our friends at Bloomerang. Bloomerang offers donor management, online fundraising, and volunteer management software that helps small to medium nonprofits, like First Tee of Greater Akron. After just one year with Bloomerang First Tee of Greater Akron doubled their unique donors, improved donor stewardship, and raised more funds.To hear the full story visit bloomerang.com/grantwritingpodcast/ Resources mentioned in this episode: ✨Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership Podcast ✨Path to Nonprofit Leadership Website ✨Free Grant Writing Class ✨Free Top 10 Tips to Position Your Nonprofit for Funding ------------------------------------------------ ✨💌 Get FREE Grant Writing Resources when You Join the Grant Writing Hub Haven: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/get-started/ 👉💰🖥️ Grant Writing Master Course: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-writing-master-course/ 🖥️🔥 👉 Want to get paid to write grants? https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-course/ 🤗☕👉 Want to increase funding strategies for your https://grantwritingandfunding.com/nonprofit-strategic-planning/ ——————————————————————————— To learn more about this episode AND get the full links for each of these, click here: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/291 Favor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener? This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review! If you have any questions, feel free to email [email protected] Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick Expert Grant Writer & Bestselling Author ✨💌 Visit https://grantwritingandfunding.com for the Hub Haven Grant Writing Resources

Welcome back to another episode of Grant Writing & Funding, the podcast designed especially for all you changemakers out there, looking to grow funding and capacity for your causes and communities. In this episode, we'll be discussing strategies that will not only help you grow your grant writing business but also free up time for yourself and stimulate creativity. One of the key points we'll be exploring is how to take a much-needed vacation while still earning income for your business. Yes, it's possible! By implementing effective systems and processes, we can achieve that elusive work-life balance and create space for generating passive income streams, hosting webinars, developing online courses, and fostering higher-level relationships. But before we delve deeper into that, I have an exciting announcement to make. We're opening the doors to our 12-month coaching program, the "Grant Professional Mentorship," designed for grant writers who already have their own companies and are looking to take them to the next level. The doors will remain open until Sunday, October 1st, after which they won't reopen until later in 2024. So, if you're serious about growing your grant writing business, this is your opportunity. During the Grant Professional Mentorship, we'll guide you through a comprehensive curriculum, covering everything from training, hiring, and delegating, to business system resets, creating calendar space, and even taking that much-needed vacation. Our focus is on empowering you to attract ideal nonprofit clients, partners, and financial wealth using an abundant mindset. And that's not all! We have an incredible workshop coming up, the "Business Reset Strategy Workshop," taking place on October 3rd. You will have access to join this workshop, when you join the Grant Professional Mentorship by October 1st. This workshop, held inside our mentorship learning portal, will address topics such as value-based pricing strategies, service offer promise training, setting policies for defining boundaries, and effective marketing strategies to boost your business. I know many of you grant writers find yourselves working every minute, feeling overwhelmed and on the verge of burnout. It's crucial to remind yourself of your "why" and create the necessary systems and standard operating procedures to maintain balance. ------------------------------------------------ ✨💌 Get FREE Grant Writing Resources when You Join the Grant Writing Hub Haven: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/get-started/ 👉💰🖥️ Grant Writing Master Course: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-writing-master-course/ 🖥️🔥 👉 Want to get paid to write grants? https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-course/ 🤗☕👉 Want to increase funding strategies for your https://grantwritingandfunding.com/nonprofit-strategic-planning/ ——————————————————————————— To learn more about this episode AND get the full links for each of these, click here: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/290 Favor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener? This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review! If you have any questions, feel free to email [email protected] Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick Expert Grant Writer & Bestselling Author ✨💌 Visit https://grantwritingandfunding.com for the Hub Haven Grant Writing Resources

Welcome to another episode of “Grant Writing & Funding” with your host, Holly Rustick. In this week’s episode, we have a special guest joining us: Yvonne White-Morey, a successful grant writer with a thriving freelance grant writing business. During our conversation, we will delve into the impact the mentorship program has had on Yvonne’s business, as well as the valuable tips and insights she has to offer for grant writers looking to start or grow their own freelance grant writing businesses. We are excited to hear Yvonne’s personal story and discover how she got started in the world of grant writing.Yvonne addresses the importance of handling grant rejection in the grant writing world and offers strategies for turning rejection into opportunities for growth and improvement.Additionally, she will touch on the significant role of artificial intelligence in the grant proposal process, and explore both the positive advantages and potential challenges it presents. Yvonne also shares her experience in the Grant Professional Mentorship program and how it has benefited her grant writing career. Join us as we connect with Yvonne White-Morey to learn more about her journey in grant writing and the valuable insights she has to offer. Plus, we will reveal how you can connect with Yvonne and the resources she provides. So grab your headphones and get ready for another informative and inspiring episode of “Grant Writing & Funding” with Holly Rustick.What you’ll learn in this episode:How the Grant Professional Mentorship has been beneficial Yvonne’s grant writing businessThe Role of Artificial Intelligence in the Grant Proposal ProcessPositive and negative implications of AI and large language models in grant writingHandling Rejection and Building Relationships in Grant Seeking– The tendency to feel discouraged after a grant proposal rejectionThe importance of evaluating the fit between the proposal and funder’s valuesEmbracing rejection as an opportunity to demonstrate organizational integrityGrant writing as part of the revenue stream and flow for organizationsBuilding a sustainable funding model for organizationsConsidering the overall funding picture and incorporating grants into the organization’s strategyThe challenge of low scores on grant proposals with minimal feedbackAbout Yvonne White-MoreyYvonne White-Morey, RSM is CEO & Principal Grant Strategist at GrantStream Consulting LLC, bridging the gap between mission and impact, through stress-free grant seeking and management, so that people who help people can afford to make a difference. GrantStream’s clientele include growing small-mid sized nonprofits and small businesses helped to secure more than $14 million in funding.Yvonne brings expertise working in government, nonprofit and the private sector; with faith-based groups and community-led organizations, celebrating the opportunity of assisting others to do great work creating a more just and humane world. In addition to extensive grant training, Yvonne holds a Masters of Divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary; earned a BS in Psychology and BA in Speech and Drama from DePaul University and, Certificates in Litigation and Employee Benefit Plans from the ABA Approved Lawyers’ Assistant Program at Roosevelt University; and is credentialed by Scrum, Inc. as a Register Scrum Master (RSM). Each of these areas of professional development helped her to hone skills in research, writing and project management.Yvonne is a proud member of the Grant Professionals Association (GPA), currently serving as a board member and Programs Co-Chair of the GPA Chicago Area Chapter, and member of the GPA Great Lakes Virtual Chapter. An active member of the Association of Consultants to Nonprofits; a Chicago Conservation Corps leader since 2010, as well as a Climate Reality Project Leader, Chicago Metro Chapter and trained as a public engagement interpreter of the Chicago Academy of Sciences Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Yvonne is part of an extensive network of environmental and environmental justice organizations. When not absorbed with grants, nonprofit consulting, proposal development and character counts, she enjoys the brilliant and colorful Midwestern change of seasons, especially in Autumn/Winter, where you will most likely find her tucked in with a cup of hot tea, a cozy mystery and in the company of either an exuberant Hurricane Maria rescue dog named Rico or a frolicking feline called Selina Kyle (aka Cat Woman) her Co-Directors of Work/Life Balance.Connect with Yvonne:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ywhite-morey/Email: [email protected]:Dealing with Grant Rejection: “Just because it didn’t get funded doesn’t mean that one can’t be funded somewhere else. If it’s a solid program, it can be rewritten and reworked so that it does meet the needs of the organization and a particular funder… See it as an opportunity to build relationships and demonstrate the integrity of the organizati

What does it really take to grow as a grant writer?In this episode, Holly Rustick sits down with Christine Taylor to discuss her experience inside the Grant Professional Mentorship and the key lessons that have helped her strengthen her grant writing skills and business.We dive into the importance of embracing feedback as a tool for growth, and how the grant review process can sharpen your proposals and elevate your work. Christine also shares why stepping outside your comfort zone is essential for progress—and how pushing yourself can open new opportunities.One of the standout moments in Christine’s journey was becoming a federal grant peer reviewer. She explains how this experience deepened her understanding of what funders are truly looking for, including insights into budgets and evaluation criteria.We also explore the power of community—why having a support system of like-minded grant writers can provide accountability, encouragement, and meaningful connections that help you grow faster.If you’re looking to improve your skills, gain confidence, and build a stronger grant writing career, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiration.ABOUT OUR GUESTChristine Taylor is a grant writer and consultant who has advanced her skills through the Grant Professional Mentorship program. With a strong focus on continuous improvement, she has leveraged feedback, peer collaboration, and hands-on experience to strengthen her grant writing expertise.Christine has also served as a federal grant peer reviewer, gaining valuable insight into the grant evaluation process and bringing that knowledge back into her work to create stronger, more competitive proposals.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

Welcome to another episode of “Grant Writing & Funding”! In this week’s episode, we have a very special guest joining us: Alejandra Salazar, a seasoned grant writer and business owner. Alejandra has been in the grant writing space for over 20 years, working closely with founders on various projects. Today, she shares with us her valuable insights and experiences in managing multiple projects and teams within a non-profit organization.Alejandra emphasizes the importance of being strategic and authentic in grant applications, cautioning against making promises that cannot be kept to funding sources. She advises against chasing every opportunity, highlighting the need to focus and build expertise in order to increase success and position oneself as an expert in the field.Furthermore, Alejandra shares her passion for conservation and her journey in the environmental sector, discussing the difference between being a grant writer within an organization and being a freelance grant writer consultant. She opens up about the challenges she faced in finding a job in the environmental sector and her decision to pursue a master’s degree in natural resources management. Alejandra also shares her experiences working with NGOs in Latin America and Central America, highlighting the limited funds and challenges faced by smaller organizations.We delve into the impact of grant writing on the conservation field, and Alejandra’s company, the Social Environmental Design Project, which aims to help NGOs increase funding and impact. She also discusses her personal growth as a business owner and the importance of setting higher prices to achieve financial stability and invest in oneself.She also shares how she has been able to get clear about her business within the Grant Professional Mentorship, and that she now has joy and freedom in her business and life!You won’t want to miss this insightful conversation with Alejandra as she shares her expertise as a grant writer and the lessons she has learned along the way. So, sit back, relax, and let’s dive into this episode of “Grant Writing & Funding”!What you’ll learn in this episode:How the Grant Professional Mentorship has been beneficial for Alejandra’s freelance grant writing businessThrough the mentorship program, Alejandra is continuously learning new skills and abilities as an independent nonprofit worker and business owner.How Alejandra identified her target population nonprofit client and developed strategies to position her business for success.Designing effective projects for social and environmental problemsAlejandra’s journey in the environmental sectorThe difference between being a consultant and an in-house grant writerAlejandra’s expertise in biodiversity, conservation, and grant writing as a consultantDeveloping accessible products for small and medium organizationsAbout Alejandra Salazar:Alejandra is a certified grant writer and funding expert, with a passion for helping civil society organizations increase their funding and impact. She has 19 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector on biodiversity conservation, climate change, and sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean. She holds a degree in international relations (2000) and a master’s degree in environmental legislation (2004). She has been a freelance certified grant writer for nonprofits since 2019. In 2022 she launched her signature company “Diseño de proyectos socioambientales”, serving clients in Mexico, Central America, Germany, and the United States of America.During her career, she has co-developed and implemented on ecosystem-based adaptation, environmental education, environmental policy, community forest management, forest conservation, green finances, mainstreaming biodiversity in agriculture, migratory bird conservation, protected areas effective management, REDD+, resilient cities, sustainable fisheries, voluntary forest carbon markets, wetland conservation, among others. She has worked with private, public, and social sectors, helping secure millions of dollars from international and national funding sources.She lives in Mexico City with her husband, two kids, a dog, and a cat.Contact Alejandra:[email protected]/in/alesalazardrejaHire AlejandraQuotables:The Importance of Increasing Prices: “If you want to do it all alone, it won’t work. So you have to keep in mind that you have to increase your prices so you also have the bandwidth to outsource other services. And then you can really improve the service that you’re giving and get it’s not about growing and getting more clients and getting more money. No. That’s not the mindset. The mindset is to make a living where you are financially stable, and you can do what you love. I think that is the main goal.”Grant Writing: “One of the most valuable things that grant writers bring to the table is this expertise or know-how in really looking at the design of the project. Find out where the gaps are and

Kim Collier joins us to explore how aligning your values with your grant writing business can lead to greater clarity, stronger client relationships, and increased revenue. She shares how learning to say no to the wrong opportunities can actually attract ideal clients and create more peace in your work. We also dive into her journey in the nonprofit sector, the importance of building relationships with government officials, setting meaningful objectives, and how mentorship can support long-term success in creating a value-driven grant writing business.ABOUT OUR GUESTKim Collier is an experienced nonprofit consultant who specializes in helping grant writers and organizations align their work with their core values to build sustainable and impactful businesses. With a background in the nonprofit sector, Kim brings a thoughtful and strategic approach to grant writing, relationship-building, and long-term growth. She is passionate about helping professionals create meaningful work, strengthen partnerships, and achieve success through clarity, purpose, and intentional decision-making.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

Welcome to another episode of Grant Writing & Funding with your host, Holly Rustick. In this episode we delve into the art and science of finding the right grants for your nonprofit or nonprofit clients. Holly shares valuable insights on the importance of separating grant research from grant writing, and the significance of building relationships with potential funders. She highlights the need to review and respond to grant instructions diligently, while considering practicalities like eligibility, funding amounts, and necessary documents. Holly also introduces a grant research package offered by an organization, which includes finding fitting opportunities and providing grant writing services. Plus, she explores the power of analyzing 990s, public information from foundations, to identify potential grants and understand their priorities. Join us as we dive into the world of grant research and equip ourselves with the tools and knowledge to secure funding for our causes. What you’ll learn in this episode: ✨Introduction to grant research package offered by an organization ✨Details of the package, including finding 8 to 10 grant opportunities for non-profit ✨Importance of having separate contracts for research and writing services ✨Emphasis on keeping track of these services as separate line items in contracts ✨Tips for reviewing and responding correctly to grant instructions ✨Importance of assessing eligibility, funding amount, matching requirements, and necessary documents ✨Consideration of practicalities such as board availability and time constraints for submissions ✨Shifting perspective to align missions when considering partnerships for nonprofits or consulting clients ✨Importance of focusing on resonance and building up the mission rather than just looking for financial support ✨Reducing stress and panic about needing money with a shift in perspective ------------------------------------------------ ✨💌 Get FREE Grant Writing Resources when You Join the Grant Writing Hub Haven: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/get-started/ 👉💰🖥️ Grant Writing Master Course: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-writing-master-course/ 🖥️🔥 👉 Want to get paid to write grants? https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-course/ 🤗☕👉 Want to increase funding strategies for your https://grantwritingandfunding.com/nonprofit-strategic-planning/ ——————————————————————————— To learn more about this episode AND get the full links for each of these, click here: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/285 Favor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener? This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review! If you have any questions, feel free to email [email protected] Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick Expert Grant Writer & Bestselling Author ✨💌 Visit https://grantwritingandfunding.com for the Hub Haven Grant Writing Resources

Thinking about starting your own consulting business—but not sure where to begin?In this episode, Andy Robinson brings over 27 years of experience running a successful consultancy to break down what it really takes to build and sustain a consulting practice.We dive into the different business models consultants can follow and how to choose the right one for your goals. Andy shares practical strategies for networking effectively with nonprofits, how to land your first clients, and what to expect when transitioning from a traditional day job into consulting.We also discuss the realities behind the scenes—like how much of your time will actually be spent on non-billable work, the importance of planning for additional tax responsibilities, and how to set yourself up for long-term success.If you’re considering consulting or want to grow your current practice, this episode offers real-world insights to help you move forward with confidence.ABOUT OUR GUESTAndy Robinson is a nationally recognized consultant, trainer, and author with over 27 years of experience working with nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies. He specializes in fundraising, board development, and nonprofit leadership, helping organizations strengthen their impact and sustainability.Andy is the author of several books on nonprofit management and consulting, and is known for his practical, straightforward approach to helping consultants and organizations succeed.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home.https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing.https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

Are you thinking about starting your own nonprofit consultancy—or wondering how to grow the one you already have?In this episode, Sean Kosofsky, also known as the NonProfit Fixer, brings nearly three decades of experience in the nonprofit sector to share what it really takes to build a successful consulting business. We dive into why nonprofits need consultants and the value they bring to organizations looking to grow, stabilize, or scale. Sean also breaks down how nonprofit consultancies are structured and why it’s critical not to offer every service you’re asked for—instead, focusing on what you do best.We explore how to know when you’re ready to launch your own consultancy, the essential systems you need to have in place from the beginning, and how consultancies evolve and grow over time.If you’re looking to build a focused, effective, and sustainable consulting business, this episode is packed with practical advice from someone who has done it successfully for decades.ABOUT OUR GUESTSean Kosofsky, known as the NonProfit Fixer, has nearly 30 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector, including serving as executive director for five organizations. His expertise spans fundraising, communications, advocacy, management, and organizational development.Sean has raised millions of dollars for causes, campaigns, and organizations, and his work has been featured in media outlets around the world. He is a sought-after consultant, speaker, and trainer who helps nonprofits and consultants build stronger, more effective organizations.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox.https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home.https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing.https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

This episode, Christian Edwards explains the ways to create a passive income using evergreen courses, the central role marketing plays in creating a passive income, and the techniques introverts can use to learn to love selling.Christina Edwards is the Founder of Splendid Consulting and a marketing expert and experienced coach.Christiana joins us to discuss how evergreen courses can be used to create passive income, the importance of marketing when creating passive income streams, and the different ways to sell an online course.She also talks about how people can teach themselves to enjoy marketing, the marketing tricks introverts can use, and how you can market an online course without using social media.What you’ll learn in this episode:How to build a love for marketing and selling.How to create passive income with evergreen courses.The skills you need to effectively run online marketing and fundraising campaigns.The difference between an online business and an in-person agency.How introverts can learn to love selling.Different ways to sell an online course.The benefits of selling a course before you build it.How to market a course without using social media.Different ways to use data to improve your online course.About Christina EdwardsChristina Edwards is the Founder of Splendid Consulting and a marketing expert and coach who helps ambitious social impact businesses and nonprofits increase revenue, supporters, and engagement.She’s ever-passionate about equipping organizations to step into their expertise, be bold, and find their unique voice and audience online. Her packed-out workshops and courses spark enthusiasm, social action, and powerful results.Amplify Social Impact, her signature online course teaches organizations how to make marketing movements that matter online. For more information, visit: Splendid ConsultingConnect with Christina: LinkedInSplendid ConsultingQuotables:“When building an online business you need to figure out how to love selling.” “The best thing about running an online business is that you get to decide the platforms you use, so if you don’t want to be on YouTube Live, you can devote your lead gen in different ways.”“It is so important that you are regularly getting in front of people, it’s not a hobby, it’s a business, so you need to be regularly selling it and you can do it if you’re an introvert you don’t have to be the loudest person in the room.”Resources mentioned in this episode:Grant Easy Management SoftwareSplendid Consulting WebsiteNonprofit Consulting Conference OnlinePurpose and Profit ClubEp. 243: Get Over the Overwhelm of End of Year Giving with a Proven Email StrategyEp. 214: Toolkit for Nonprofits to Get Social Media Influencers and AmbassadorsEp. 230: How Nonprofits can Share Stories of Impact that Honor the Dignity of ClientsEp. 51: 6 Ways to Stand out On GivingTuesdayEp 195: Top Tips to Raise Funds for Your Nonprofit on GivingTuesdayOTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.———————————————————————————This podcast episode was lovingly sponsored by GEMS!This podcast episode is lovingly sponsored by Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS). Break Up with Your Spreadsheet – Get GEMS Grant Easy Management Software and NEVER MISS A DEADLINE AGAIN! Book YOUR FREE demo now! Click here: https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/gems ———————————————————————————

Geri Leon Guerrero joins us to share why having a strong online presence is essential for nonprofits, and why a website is more than just a digital placeholder. With nearly two decades of experience in sales, marketing, and digital strategy, she breaks down the key functions of a nonprofit website, the importance of collecting and leveraging supporter data, and how to effectively brand your organization online. We also explore why social media alone isn’t enough, how to create a more impactful and conversion-driven donate button, and practical ways nonprofits can strengthen their visibility and engagement in today’s digital landscape.ABOUT OUR GUESTGeri Leon Guerrero is the President and General Manager of Adztech & Public Relations, Inc. and Adztech Wholesale, with over 18 years of experience leading innovative sales and marketing strategies in online and social media management. She oversees company operations while directing the concept, development, and execution of media campaigns, public relations, and outreach programs tailored to client needs.Geri has extensive experience in procurement, grants, accounts, and client services, and has led numerous local community outreach projects across Guam. She is an active board member of several civic organizations, including the Guam Contractors Association, Special Olympics Guam, Lupus Awareness Group of Guam, and the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Her company is HUBZone certified and the only business in its industry on the island designated as an Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB).CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTLinkedInAdztechOTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

In this episode, Tammy Tilzey joins us to share her insights from nearly a decade in the philanthropy sector. As the Nonprofit Relationship Manager at Foundant Technologies and a board member of the Grant Professionals Certification Institute, Tammy brings a unique perspective on bridging the gap between grant-making foundations and grant writers.We discuss how foundations can make applications more accessible, the evolving landscape of grant-making, and why creating clear systems—separate from individuals—is essential for nonprofit success. Tammy also shares how streamlined grant writing processes can save time, increase efficiency, and ultimately boost a nonprofit’s credibility.ABOUT OUR GUESTTammy Tilzey has nearly a decade of experience in the philanthropy sector and currently serves as the Nonprofit Relationship Manager at Foundant Technologies. She also sits on the board of the Grant Professionals Certification Institute, supporting the advancement and professionalism of grant writers.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

Philip Deng has over a decade of experience in grant writing and is the creator of Grantable, an AI-powered world-class grant writing assistant. Philip joins us to discuss how AI will affect future grant funding, the ways AI can help grant writers submit more grants, and how AI will affect grant writing jobs. He also explains the ways AI is already integrated into our lives, how technology can be used to improve grant writing processes, and how we can further streamline the grant writing process. About Philip DengPhilip is the Co-founder and CEO of Grantable, a world-class grant writing assistant for any organization, powered by AI. He devised the prototype from 15 years of experience working with grant-funded organizations in the nonprofit sector. Connect with Philip:LinkedInGrantableThe ProcessFree Trial of GrantableResources mentioned in this episode:GrantableFreelance Grant Writer AcademyGrant Easy Management SoftwareThe Nonprofit Consulting ConferenceHow Nonprofits Can Use YouTube to Increase DonationsHow Nonprofits Can Use Technology to Increase Donor RetentionUsing Chat GPT and AI for Grant WritingOTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.———————————————————————————This podcast episode was lovingly sponsored by GEMS!This podcast episode is lovingly sponsored by Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS). Break Up with Your Spreadsheet – Get GEMS Grant Easy Management Software and NEVER MISS A DEADLINE AGAIN! Book YOUR FREE demo now! Click here: https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/gems ———————————————————————————

On this episode of Grant Writing & Funding, our guest Meredith Noble from Learn Grant Writing shares an inspiring journey from corporate grant writing to launching a startup idea. We learn about the challenges she faced when realizing the idea wasn’t solving a real problem that people were willing to pay for. Meredith emphasizes the importance of grounding ideas in addressing real problems, and she shares the lifestyle freedom she gained from entrepreneurship despite the financial difficulties. To supplement her income, Meredith started grant writing consulting and took on various projects, including returning to her family’s cattle ranch during Calving season. She stresses the significance of surrounding oneself with successful people and shares a personal experience of seeking coaching and mentorship from a successful female entrepreneur. The episode dives into the topic of pricing in freelance grant writing business and the importance of mindset in overcoming resistances and blocks. Meredith also explores the three types of work days: management days, mission days, and money days, and the need for self-care to maintain mental clarity and creativity. We also learn about the value of attending conferences, creating spaciousness in our lives for creativity to flow, and the important role of understanding and valuing the services we offer to clients. Meredith debunks misconceptions about nonprofits, discusses the impact of grants on nonprofit missions, and shares her organic networking framework to build relationships and opportunities. Throughout the episode, Meredith highlights the power of simplicity, focusing on principles rather than chasing trends. She also shares her experience of building a supportive community within her company and the positive impact it has on grant writers. We also have a discussion on the scarcity mindset ingrained in the nonprofit industry and the shift towards cultivating a positive and expansive mindset. Join us on this episode of Grant Writing & Funding as we explore the world of grant writing, entrepreneurship, and the drive for change in the nonprofit sector.What you’ll learn in this episode:Lifestyle freedom gained from entrepreneurshipSupplementing income through grant writing consultingDifferent types of work days: management days, mission days, and money daysThe value of attending conferences for fresh perspectivesThe value of understanding the worth one brings to clientsMisconceptions about nonprofit budget constraints and financial needsThe value of grants in allowing nonprofits to focus on mission instead of fundraisingThe organic networking framework for building relationships with organizationsFunding strategy as a way to build trust and rapport with organizationsKeeping things simple and focusing on principles rather than chasing trendsCelebrating wins as a cultural practice within the companyBuilding a supportive community of grant writersCriticizing the practice of hourly rates in the industryCultivating a positive and expansive mindset in the nonprofit sectorShifting away from a scarcity mindset in nonprofitsAbout Meredith NobleMeredith Noble helps the entrecurious build lifestyle freedom by taking imperfect action. She is the co-founder of Learn Grant Writing, an online membership for those building their careers in grant writing. Her book, How to Write a Grant: Become a Grant Writing Unicorn, is a bestseller for nonprofit fundraising and grants. Her expertise has been featured in NASDAQ, Forbes, Fast Company, Authority Magazine, and other top publications. She has secured over $42 million in grant funding, and her students have secured over $550 million – a number that grows daily. If Meredith’s not biking or skiing in Alaska, she can be found curled around a steaming cup of green-tea and a good book. Quotables: “Surrounding yourself with successful people can have a profound impact on your own success.” “Grounding your ideas in a problem that people are willing to pay for is key to creating meaningful solutions.”“Creating spaciousness in our lives allows for creativity to flow.”“Your network determines your net worth.”“The shift away from a scarcity mindset in the nonprofit sector is a big deal, but it is still an uphill battle.”Connect with Meredith:Learn Grant Writing WebsiteLearn Grant Writing YouTubeLinkedInInstagramResources mentioned in this episode:The Nonprofit Consulting ConferenceFreelance Grant Writing AcademyOTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW T

Mandy Pearce explains the strategies for building strategic partnerships, how to know who will be a good partner for your business, and when to turn down a potential partnership.Over a decade ago Mandy Pearce founded Funding for Good to equip organizations with all the skills and tools they need to become successful and sustainable.Mandy joins us to discuss how most partnerships are formed, the vetting process involved in potential partnerships, and how to know who will be a good partner for your business.She also explains the metrics you need to know before agreeing to a partnership, the type of business partnerships that you should avoid, and the downsides of affiliate marketing.What you’ll learn in this episode:The difference between partnerships and sponsorships.How most partnerships are formed.When to turn down a strategic partnership.The vetting process involved in potential partnerships.How to know who will be a good partner for you.What partnerships are used for.The metrics you need to know before starting a partnership.The downsides of affiliate marketing.Strategies for building strategic partnerships.About Mandy PearceIn 2009 Mandy Pearce, founded her flagship company, Funding for Good, to equip organizations with all of the skills and tools needed to become successful and sustainable. She continues to enjoy evolving this company to meet the changing demands of the nonprofit world.For over two decades, Mandy and her team of experts have shared their proficiency in fundraising through executive coaching, strategic and development planning, seminars and specialized consulting programs. Mandy’s dynamic teaching style has brought thousands of people to her presentations at conventions, training workshops and online platforms.Mandy established Funding for Good, Inc. upon the core values of honesty, efficiency, direct communication and bringing sustainable dollars to local communities.Quotables:“Some people are in your life for a moment and some people are there for a lifetime and partnerships are the same way. Some will constantly be there and you’ll need them in your business and others will be great for the moment and then you’ll move on”“I hate when nonprofits ask someone who has a company to do something for free because they’re going to get exposure, exposure doesn’t pay the bills. If you want me to speak for you it’s going to cost you money, and it should because of the area of expertise I’ve grown.”“You can’t compete with a personal reference, so asking who can benefit your business, what are your goals, who do I know that could help you, and who do you know? That personal reference is huge, you can’t compete with that approach of how can we help each other.”Connect with Mandy:LinkedInFunding for Good WebsiteResources mentioned in this episode:Nonprofit Consulting Conference Online Grant Easy Management SoftwareHow to Identify What Rates to Charge as a Grant WriterHow to Know When to Grow Your Nonprofit Consultancy with Mandy PearceEp. 19: Strategic Partnerships for Your NonprofitFreelance Grant Writer AcademyOTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.———————————————————————————This podcast episode was lovingly sponsored by GEMS!This podcast episode is lovingly sponsored by Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS). Break Up with Your Spreadsheet – Get GEMS Grant Easy Management Software and NEVER MISS A DEADLINE AGAIN! Book YOUR FREE demo now! Click here: https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/gems ———————————————————————————

Marie Palacios, Lead Consultant for Funding for Good, joins us to share how having clear, structured processes can transform your grant writing success and overall consulting business. She breaks down how to better understand and implement effective workflows, streamline your grant writing systems, and improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. We also explore the benefits of building your own business, the importance of identifying your “why,” and how to grow a sustainable consulting practice to six figures.ABOUT OUR GUESTMarie Palacios is the Lead Consultant for Funding for Good, an expert facilitator, and is certified by The Institute of Cultural Affairs in the USA in evidence-based facilitation practices. She specializes in helping nonprofits and consultants develop clear processes, strengthen grant writing strategies, and build capacity for long-term success. Marie is passionate about guiding professionals to create impactful, sustainable businesses while aligning their work with purpose.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

Deborah Reed, founder of All Funded, explains what she learned from the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, the benefits of having a community of grant writers, and how she increased her grant writing rates.Deborah Reed is a full-time consultant and grant writer who completely changed the way she was running her business after joining the Grant Writing Academy.Deborah joins us to discuss what she learned from the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, the ways it changed her grant writing business to be more sustainable, and the lessons it taught her about how to charge grant writing clients.She also explains what you need to build a grant writing consultancy, why consultants get treated better than employees, and the ways to position yourself as a thought leader.What you’ll learn in this episode:How to find a community of grant writersThe value of defining your ideal non-profit clientThe benefits of having a niche for your grant writing servicesWhat you need to build a grant writing businessHow to charge for your grant writing serviceDefining what success means for youWhy consultants get paid better than employeesHow to become a thought leader in your spaceWays to find clients for your grant writing businessWhat Deborah learned from the Freelance Grant Writer AcademyAbout Deborah ReedDeborah Reed, founder of All Funded Consulting, is a highly experienced professional with a strong background in grant writing and management. With over fifteen years of expertise, Deborah has worked with esteemed arts organizations and has extensive experience in the nonprofit sector including leadership roles within multiple performing arts organizations.Throughout her career, Deborah has actively contributed to the arts community, has served on the board of Buzzworks Theater Company for eight years, and played a vital role as a voter for the Ovation Awards for nine years.Deborah is also a member of the Grant Professionals Association, showcasing her dedication to professional excellence in the field, and holds a Masters Degree in Arts Management from Claremont Graduate University.Quotables:“I think there’s a language that different sectors have, scientists understand scientists, and artists understand artists, and those are the people on the other side who are receiving the grant too, so it’s really helpful if you can speak the same language as your grant panel.”“The beauty of being a full time consultant is I can start as early as I want, I can work as late as I want, I can take a break in the middle, I try not to work on the weekends but if I need to or want to I can.”“I’ve had some jobs that I really liked but as a consultant they treat you better and they pay you better so it’s nicer on this side.”Connect with Deborah:LinkedInWebsiteFor HireEmailResources mentioned in this episode:Grant Easy Management SoftwareFreelance Grant Writer AcademyAll Funded ResourcesOTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.———————————————————————————This podcast episode was lovingly sponsored by GEMS!This podcast episode is lovingly sponsored by Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS). Break Up with Your Spreadsheet – Get GEMS Grant Easy Management Software and NEVER MISS A DEADLINE AGAIN! Book YOUR FREE demo now! Click here: https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/gems ———————————————————————————

Jill Turner explains how to make writing grants a full-time job, the benefits of having systems in your grant writing, and how to properly price your grant writing services.Jill Turner was based in northern Idaho and got into grant writing after being asked to help some friends while in grad school.After writing grants as a side hustle, Jill turned it into a full-time business in less than a year, tripling her income and working with clients nationally and internationally.Jill joins us to discuss how she turned writing grants into a full-time job, the importance of having systems in your grant writing, and how to properly price your grant writing services.She also explains how The Grant Writing Academy helped her scale her business, the ways to manage your time to maintain a work-life balance, and how charging more for your services can actually help you win more clients.What you’ll learn in this episode:How to move from writing grants as a side hustle to a full-time job.The importance of having systems in your grant writing.The benefits of writing grants in a systematic way.How to start a freelance grant writing business.How to price your grant writing services.The importance of understanding the market and adjusting prices accordingly for different states and international clients. Why charging too little for your services can make you less competitive.How to schedule your time to maintain a work-life balance.What you need to scale your grant writing business.About Jill Turner:Jill Turner is CEO of Tri-Cord Visionaries and is a highly skilled professional specializing in non-profit funding consultation, strategic planning facilitation, and funding expertise. With a focus on donor optimization, grants research, and grant writing, Jill has a proven track record of success in securing vital resources for organizations.Jill Turner is a passionate professional who excels in non-profit funding consultation, strategic planning facilitation, and grant acquisition. With her expertise and commitment to collaboration, she empowers organizations to make a lasting impact on the world.Quotables:“Grant writing is no longer a side hustle it has more than tripled my bottom line, this is my job now and I love coming to work every day, and I get to hear about people, what they’re passionate about, and the difference they’re making in the world, and I get to do my research and my writing, and I get to partner them.”“Work didn’t have to dominate everything because I had a scheduled system in place and those systems enable me to do what I do now because they were established and I’ve written the framework, I may update them but I’m not reinventing the wheel anymore I have templates for everything.”“Know your systems, know how to write your smart objectives, follow through with it. The other stuff is like frosting, it might be pretty but it’s not absolutely necessary.”Connect with Jill:LinkedInResources mentioned in this episode:Freelance Grant Writer AcademyABOUT HOLLY RUSTICKGrant Writing & Funding (GWF) has a Global Movement to Secure $1 Billion in Grant Funding for Good and $30 Million in Grant Writing Businesses by 2030. Holly Rustick, CEO of GWF, is leading the movement; a world-renowned grant writer with 20+ years of experience, bestselling author, and business coach for new and seasoned grant writers to replace their full-time income writing grants part-time from home through her signature programs: the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and the Grant Professional Mentorship. Rustick is the host of the top grant writing podcast “Grant Writing & Funding” and the author of the Bestselling book, The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing. With an MA in International Political Economy, past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce, serving on numerous boards of directors, Holly is also an unapologetic feminist. She lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella. CONNECT WITH HOLLY RUSTICK Website: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/ RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance g

As a panel we discuss the benefits of using Grant Easy Management Software, how it makes working with non-profits more efficient, and the different ways it helps you analyze data faster. As you write more grants the amount of time you spend tracking grants and analyzing data increases to a point where it can seem impossible to scale any further.Grant Easy Management Software can help optimize grant writing and make working with non-profits more efficient and productive. We’re joined by a team of grant writing experts to discuss their experience using grant management software and the ways it’s saved them time and improved their businesses.Get to hear how this Grant Management Software helps these 3 grant writing experts as they have very different business models!We also explain why we all moved to using Grant Easy Management Software, the different features it has, and why grant specific software is better than Google Drive.What you’ll learn in this episode:Different ways to track grants.How software can help you scale your grant writing business.How Grant Easy Management Software optimizes the grant writing process.How to reduce the number of meetings you need with contractors.The grant writing community that Grant Easy Management Software provides.How Grant Easy Management Software makes working with non-profits easier and more efficient.The benefits of having external users access your account.What makes Grant Easy Management Software better than Google Drive.The different features Grant Easy Management Software has.How to analyze your data faster.About Rachel Waterman:Rachel is the creator of Grant Easy Management Software and the CEO of Global Development Solutions. As well as creating the grant easy management software she also helps organizations use data and systems to build grant revenues.Connect with Rachel:LinkedInGrant Easy Management SoftwareAbout Jan Rodusky:Jan is the Founder of Venn There Grants Consulting, where she helps nonprofits create grant systems to increase their funding. With over 25 years of experience as a grantmaker and grant writer, Jan has raised over $18 million for organizations in the arts, healthcare, and education sectors. She is a GPA approved trainer and mentor and a certified business coach. In addition to her work at Venn There, Jan serves as the Vice Mayor for the Village of Royal Palm Beach, Florida.Connect with Jan:LinkedInAbout Jacquelyn Ahrenberg:Jacque brings 18 years of experience and training in nonprofit development and organizational management to any new engagement. Her company, Resolute Nonprofit Consulting, focuses on Corporate & Foundation Development, Development Program Audits, and Fundraising Guidance to help nonprofits diversify their funding to be resilient to change.Connect with Jacquelyn:LinkedInAbout Yvonne White-MoreyYvonne White-Morey is CEO & Principal Grant Strategist at GrantStream Consulting LLC. She specializes in stress-free grant seeking and management for nonprofits, allowing them to focus on their mission and make a difference. When not working, Yvonne enjoys the Midwestern seasons with her rescue dog Rico and feline companion Selina Kyle.Connect with Yvonne:LinkedInQuotables:“Get a system in place because you can’t scale without a system. If you’re happy with where you are that’s fine but if you want to go anywhere else you’ve got to have a system.”“GEMS solves the problem of your Google Drive filling up with hundreds of old files that you end up having to pay to store because you don’t have time to go through.”“You can see according to how many proposals you’re writing how many are getting awarded, for which clients, and where you’re seeing more awards coming in and areas of possible growth. That can take a lot of time to find out if you’re doing that on your own, GEMS does it in the click of one button.”Resources mentioned in this episode:Grant Easy Management SoftwareFree Masterclass: 3 Proven Steps to Start a Freelance Grant Writing Business Freelance Grant Writer Academy WaitlistPricing Survey Revealed for Grant WritersGrant Management Made EasyOTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you have

This episode, Holly explains the problems with paying grant writers commission, the reasons why nonprofits miss out on funding, and how nonprofits should pay freelance grant writers.Nonprofits often think that paying freelance grant writers on a commission basis is a win-win, but this could not be further from the truth.Not only is paying grant writers a commission unethical and against industry best practices, but there are also some pretty serious legality issues.This episode, Holly explains the problems with paying grant writers a commission, the legality of paying grant writers on a commission only basis, and how most nonprofits pay freelance grant writers.Holly also talks about why nonprofits miss out on grants they’ve applied to, how to repurpose a grant for other uses, and the different reasons nonprofits have a website.What you’ll learn in this episode:How freelance grant writers make money.How nonprofits pay grant writers.Why you shouldn’t pay grant writers commission.The reasons nonprofits don’t get grants they’ve applied to.Why paying commission for grant writers is against best practice.How to repurpose a grant and other things a grant application can be used for.The legality of paying grant writer’s commission.Why nonprofits need to have a website.How to learn the skills you need to become a grant writer.Quotables:“Even if you don’t get awarded a grant when you submit it, you may get feedback and be able to change a few things, tweak a few things, submit to the next funding cycle, and get it awarded.”“You have to start a relationship so even that first no can be a very positive thing because at least you’re starting a relationship and getting your foot in the door now so in the next couple of cycles you might get funded but if you don’t even start or are too scared to get a no then that might not happen.”“Grant writers can never guarantee funding so how they get paid is the same as any other service provider. For a certain scope of work for a certain amount of time, you pay them a certain amount.”ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICKGrant Writing & Funding (GWF) has a Global Movement to Secure $1 Billion in Grant Funding for Good and $30 Million in Grant Writing Businesses by 2030. Holly Rustick, CEO of GWF, is leading the movement; a world-renowned grant writer with 20+ years of experience, bestselling author, and business coach for new and seasoned grant writers to replace their full-time income writing grants part-time from home through her signature programs: the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and the Grant Professional Mentorship. Rustick is the host of the top grant writing podcast “Grant Writing & Funding” and the author of the Bestselling book, The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing. With an MA in International Political Economy, past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce, serving on numerous boards of directors, Holly is also an unapologetic feminist. She lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella. CONNECT WITH HOLLY RUSTICK Website: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/ Resources mentioned in this episode:Free Masterclass: 3 Proven Steps to Start a Freelance Grant Writing BusinessFreelance Grant Writer Academy WaitlistGrant Writing and FundingFreelance Grant Writing During Inflation & Recession4 Reasons Why a Grant Writer Cannot Get Paid on CommissionHow to Find Ideal Nonprofit Clients That Pay for Your Services4 Reasons Why You Should Get Paid As A Grant Writer and 3 Ways A Nonprofit Can Pay YouOTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

In this episode, Holly Rustick breaks down why becoming a freelance grant writer—even during a recession—is not only viable, but a strategic opportunity. She explains the key benefits of freelancing, including the ability to adjust your rates, services, and client base in response to economic changes, unlike traditional employees with fixed salaries. Holly dives into how freelance grant writers actually make money, how many clients are typically needed to sustain a business, and how competitive the market truly is. She also highlights why the nonprofit sector often continues to grow during economic downturns, the significant amount of funding allocated through grants each year, and how many federal grants are released annually. Additionally, Holly shares why nonprofits benefit from hiring freelancers over full-time staff and how much freelance grant writers can realistically charge. If you’ve been considering stepping into freelance grant writing, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to see why now may be the perfect time to start.ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICKGrant Writing & Funding (GWF) has a Global Movement to Secure $1 Billion in Grant Funding for Good and $30 Million in Grant Writing Businesses by 2030. Holly Rustick, CEO of GWF, is leading the movement; a world-renowned grant writer with 20+ years of experience, bestselling author, and business coach for new and seasoned grant writers to replace their full-time income writing grants part-time from home through her signature programs: the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and the Grant Professional Mentorship.Rustick is the host of the top grant writing podcast “Grant Writing & Funding” and the author of the Bestselling book, The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing. With an MA in International Political Economy, past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce, serving on numerous boards of directors, Holly is also an unapologetic feminist. She lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella.CONNECT WITH HOLLY RUSTICKWebsite: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox.https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home.https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing.https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

This episode, Holly explains how to write a budget for a grant, the math grant writers need to understand, and the different categories to include in a budget.The budget can seem like the scariest part of writing a grant for people who get into writing grants. Why? Because the typical grant writer considers themselves more of a writer than a mathematician. But as a grant writer, you will master both writing and math.Don’t worry, you don’t need to be CPA or have taken calculus!Fortunately, a grant budget is very logical and if you follow the right framework it’s actually quite straightforward.This episode, Holly explains how to write a grant’s budget, the math you need to include in the budget section of a grant, and the best time to write a grant’s budget.Holly also talks about the different categories to include in a budget, how to write a budget as a narrative, and common mistakes people make in the budget section.What you’ll learn in this episode:Why people become grant writersThe math grant writers need to doHow to write a grant’s budgetWhen you should write the budgetHow to efficiently write a grant’s narrativeThe different categories to include in a budgetThe benefits of hiring contractors over employeesHow to make your budget balances narrativeQuotables:“Grant Writers need to be able to write well and carry out accurate mathematics. You need to know how to do a budget, but the budget is very logical and can include both words and numbers.”“Use a US Federal Budget for all of your grants. Use this as your basis, then if you get Federal grants in the future it’ll be easier for your accountant because all of your categories are unified.““What funding sources want to know is can you implement programs and can you manage money. To implement programs you need to be able to properly manage money.”Resources mentioned in this episode:FREE Grant Writing ClassGrant Writing and FundingEp. 54: The Secret Formula to Unlock Funding for Your Nonprofit!Episode 266: Scoring Points in Your Grant Proposal’s Research Section – With Holly RustickEpisode 268: Writing Goals for Your Grant Proposal – With Holly RustickEp. 7: 8 Budget Tips for Award Winning GrantsABOUT HOLLY RUSTICKGrant Writing & Funding (GWF) has a Global Movement to Secure $1 Billion in Grant Funding for Good and $30 Million in Grant Writing Businesses by 2030. Holly Rustick, CEO of GWF, is leading the movement; a world-renowned grant writer with 20+ years of experience, bestselling author, and business coach for new and seasoned grant writers to replace their full-time income writing grants part-time from home through her signature programs: the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and the Grant Professional Mentorship. Rustick is the host of the top grant writing podcast “Grant Writing & Funding” and the author of the Bestselling book, The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing. With an MA in International Political Economy, past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce, serving on numerous boards of directors, Holly is also an unapologetic feminist. She lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella. CONNECT WITH HOLLY RUSTICK Website: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/ RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

Steve Bollard joins us to break down how grant funding is shifting in 2023 as the sector moves beyond Covid and into a rapidly evolving AI-driven landscape. He shares how the traditional grant application process is being restructured, the increasing barriers and gatekeepers to government funding, and the lasting changes brought on by the pandemic. We also explore how major philanthropic shifts—like MacKenzie Scott’s approach—are influencing the nonprofit sector, alongside growing concerns around monopolization. Steve highlights practical ways nonprofits can access funding today and unpacks how tools like ChatGPT are already transforming grant writing, strategy, and the overall funding outlook for 2023.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

This episode, Holly explains how to write a goal in a grant, what to include in a grant’s objective, and how to put a task in a grant.The goal of a grant is one of the most important sections of a grant application and is usually where you’ll get the most points.But what should you include in the goal section of a grant? How should you structure it? And how ambitious should you be?This episode, Holly explains why this section is so important, how to write a goal in a grant, and everything you need to include in this part of your grants application.Holly also talks about how to write a grant’s objective, the best way to include a timeline in a grant, and how to put a task in a grant.What you’ll learn in this episode:How to write a goal in a grant.What to include in a grant’s goal.How to write a grant’s objective.What to include in a grant’s objective.How to include a timeline in a grant.How to put a task in a grant.Why you need a work plan for grant funding.What to include in a work plan.Quotables:“The goal of a grant needs to include your main outcome while staying grounded on the budget of the grant and the time it will take to deliver. Your budget and time constraints are central to how ambitious your goal can be.” “An objective has to be SMART, specific, measurable, achievable, relevant or realistic, and time-bound. This is important because when you’re writing an objective it has to be clear on each of these points.”“Use time-bound terms rather than specific dates. If you use specific dates rather than ‘by the end of year one’ you may have to rework your entire time schedule if your grant is delayed in its approval.”ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICKGrant Writing & Funding (GWF) has a Global Movement to Secure $1 Billion in Grant Funding for Good and $30 Million in Grant Writing Businesses by 2030. Holly Rustick, CEO of GWF, is leading the movement; a world-renowned grant writer with 20+ years of experience, bestselling author, and business coach for new and seasoned grant writers to replace their full-time income writing grants part-time from home through her signature programs: the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and the Grant Professional Mentorship. Rustick is the host of the top grant writing podcast “Grant Writing & Funding” and the author of the Bestselling book, The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing. With an MA in International Political Economy, past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce, serving on numerous boards of directors, Holly is also an unapologetic feminist. She lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella. CONNECT WITH HOLLY RUSTICK Website: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/ Resources mentioned in this episode:FREE Grant Writing ClassGrant Writing and FundingEpisode 266: Scoring Points in Your Grant Proposal’s Research Section – With Holly RustickEp. 6: Write Goals, Objectives, and Outcomes for Your Grant ProposalHow to Write Grants Using Concise, Clear, and Meaningful Words7 Steps to Write a Grant ProposalGrant Easy Management SoftwareOTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.———————————————————————————This podcast episode was lovingly sponsored by GEMS!This podcast episode is lovingly sponsored by Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS). Break Up with Your Spreadsheet – Get GEMS Grant Easy Management Software and NEVER MISS A DEADLINE AGAIN! Book YOUR FREE demo now! Click here: https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/gems ———————————————————————————

Navigating funding for educational programs can feel overwhelming, especially when it’s unclear where to find the right opportunities or how to apply successfully. In this episode, Holly Rustick sits down with Chiara to break down how nonprofits and schools can access Department of Education grants and tap into the wide range of funding still available. They discuss how to identify the right grant opportunities, which Department of Education funds are currently open for applications, and how to strategically position your organization for success.Chiara also shares insights on the impact grants can have on educational institutions, the importance of strong evaluation metrics, and why a well-developed evaluation section is critical to a winning proposal. Whether you're new to education grants or looking to strengthen your applications, this episode provides clear, actionable guidance to help you move forward with confidence.ABOUT OUR GUESTChiara is a grant funding expert specializing in Department of Education grants and funding strategies for schools and nonprofit organizations. With extensive experience in identifying funding opportunities and developing competitive grant proposals, she helps organizations secure the resources they need to expand educational programs and increase their impact. Chiara is passionate about demystifying the grant process and equipping leaders with the tools and knowledge to successfully navigate education funding.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox.https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home.https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

In this episode, Holly Rustick breaks down one of the most critical components of a winning grant proposal—the research section. She explains how this section is evaluated by funders, what specific elements you need to include, and the type of data required to make your proposal competitive. While it can be tempting to rely on emotional storytelling, Holly emphasizes that the research section must be grounded in strong, data-driven evidence to earn points. She shares how to structure your research section effectively, the kind of language to use, and how to clearly demonstrate the need for your project. Holly also dives into strategies for maximizing your score, including the importance of credible data sources, proper referencing styles, and aligning your research with funder expectations. Whether you're new to grant writing or looking to strengthen your proposals, this episode will help you create a compelling, high-impact research section that stands out.ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICKGrant Writing & Funding (GWF) has a Global Movement to Secure $1 Billion in Grant Funding for Good and $30 Million in Grant Writing Businesses by 2030. Holly Rustick, CEO of GWF, is leading the movement; a world-renowned grant writer with 20+ years of experience, bestselling author, and business coach for new and seasoned grant writers to replace their full-time income writing grants part-time from home through her signature programs: the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and the Grant Professional Mentorship.Rustick is the host of the top grant writing podcast “Grant Writing & Funding” and the author of the Bestselling book, The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing. With an MA in International Political Economy, past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce, serving on numerous boards of directors, Holly is also an unapologetic feminist. She lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella.CONNECT WITH HOLLY RUSTICKWebsite: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox.https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

Feeling overwhelmed by grant proposals?You’re not alone.Many people struggle with where to start, what to include, and how to make sure they don’t miss critical details when writing a grant.In this episode, Holly breaks down how to simplify the process by using grant templates effectively.We dive into how to find and use templates to structure your proposal, how to follow grant instructions correctly, and how to ensure you’re aligning your content with what funders are actually looking for. But writing the grant is only one side of the equation—you also need to understand how it’s reviewed.Holly explains the subjective nature of grant reviewing, what happens during the review process, and how different sections of your proposal are scored. This insight is key to strengthening your applications and increasing your chances of success.If you’ve ever felt stuck staring at a blank page or unsure if you’re “doing it right,” this episode will give you clarity, structure, and confidence.ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICKGrant Writing & Funding (GWF) has a Global Movement to Secure $1 Billion in Grant Funding for Good and $30 Million in Grant Writing Businesses by 2030. Holly Rustick, CEO of GWF, is leading the movement; a world-renowned grant writer with 20+ years of experience, bestselling author, and business coach for new and seasoned grant writers to replace their full-time income writing grants part-time from home through her signature programs: the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and the Grant Professional Mentorship.Rustick is the host of the top grant writing podcast “Grant Writing & Funding” and the author of the Bestselling book, The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing. With an MA in International Political Economy, past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce, serving on numerous boards of directors, Holly is also an unapologetic feminist. She lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella.CONNECT WITH HOLLY RUSTICKWebsite: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home.https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

Starting a nonprofit consultancy is one thing—knowing when and how to grow it is another. Once you’ve established your business and are serving nonprofit clients through services like grant writing, grant management, marketing, strategic planning, fundraising, and more, the next step is figuring out how to scale.But growth comes with big questions: When is the right time to hire or outsource? Should you have a financial cushion in place? How do you evaluate return on investment when expanding your team or systems? To help answer these questions, Mandy Pearce from Funding for Good joins me on the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to share her expertise on growing and scaling a successful nonprofit consultancy.ABOUT OUR GUESTMandy Pearce is the founder of Funding for Good, where she helps nonprofit professionals and consultants grow sustainable, impactful businesses. With extensive experience in fundraising and nonprofit strategy, she supports organizations and consultants in scaling their services and increasing their impact.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

Don’t just assume that gender inequity doesn’t exist in your nonprofit organization.Even though women represent 75 percent of people working in nonprofit organizations in the United States, we know that there are leadership positions and pay gaps rampant in nonprofit organizations.However, it’s not all doom and gloom either. There are ways to create gender equity for your nonprofit organization.Here are 15-steps for your nonprofit to create a culture of gender equity. Nonprofit Checklist Step #1: Conduct a Recruitment Self-Audit for Nonprofit Gender Equity in Your NonprofitIt is important to understand what your recruitment process is when seeking candidates for positions at your nonprofit organization.When writing position descriptions do you seek employee input and develop consensus for position descriptions? This can be essential to having an internal spotlight on getting someone to fill real gaps.An important note is to NOT put everything and anything into a job description. I have seen this too often be a ‘wish list’ rather than an actual job description. If you fill your job descriptions with too many wishes, chances are you will not get very many qualified candidates.And chances are you will get more men applying than women, even if the men aren’t as qualified. Women don’t apply for jobs like men: Studies show that men often apply for jobs when they only meet 60% of qualifications, but women only apply if they meet 100% of them.One other important consideration is, “Are you requiring previous salaries?” This can automatically give men a higher wage, as historically and currently, there is an average pay gap between men and women. By asking for previous salaries, you are essentially continuing the gender and marginalized pay gap pattern. For the full free Nonprofit Checklist for Gender Equity, click here.Nonprofit Checklist Step #2: Evaluate Your Compensation System for Internal Equity in Your NonprofitEvaluating your internal compensation system is just as important as hiring new folks. Questions for your Nonprofit to Consider:Do you have a method to determine salaries and benefits?Do you have a consistent job evaluation system? Can workers negotiate their pay? (women vs. men) This may be flawed as historically women do not negotiate as often as men, even if they are more qualified for promotions compared to men.How long do men, women and minorities stay within job grades or scores before moving up? For the full free Nonprofit Checklist for Gender Equity, click here.Nonprofit Checklist Step #3: Evaluate Your Compensation System for Industry Competitiveness in Your NonprofitIt’s vital to evaluate your nonprofit’s compensation system compared to industry standards. Questions for your Nonprofit to Consider:Does your nonprofit have a method to determine the market rate for any given job?Can you be confident that men are not being compensated at or above market rates while women and minority workers are compensated at or below market rates?Do you consider whether the market has undercompensated certain occupations or professions before adjustments?For the full free Nonprofit Checklist for Gender Equity, click here.Nonprofit Checklist Step #4: Assess How Raises are Awarded in Your NonprofitLet’s get into pay raises at your nonprofit. Questions for your Nonprofit to Consider:Do men, women and minorities receive consistent raises based on similar performance standards?Are all workers with outstanding evaluations awarded the same percentage increases? If not, what are the reasons for the difference?Are men, women and minorities with similar levels of performance awarded bonuses on a consistent basis? Do they receive bonuses of similar monetary values?For the full free Nonprofit Checklist for Gender Equity, click here. Nonprofit Checklist Step #5: Evaluate Employee Training, Development and Promotion Opportunities in Your NonprofitThe thing is, you may discover that your nonprofit does in fact have gender pay gaps, but you aren’t sure how it got that way. One specific trajectory is for certain employees to be given (or seek) certain training or development opportunities, and then these slots are filled up before other employees are approached. That can lead directly (and very validly) to a promotion. But here’s the thing. Men, on average, are more vocal to ask about employee training and opportunities. Women, on average, have more unpaid requirements such as picking up the kids after school, so may not have the extra time to stay at work late for additional employee training.To change the culture of your nonprofit it is important to think outside the box for ways to seek more women and diverse inclusion for employee training opportunities. Classes taken online is one example of how you can narrow the gap.Questions for your Nonprofit to Consider:How are workers selected for participation in training opportunities or special projects that lead to advancement?Are there differences by race or gender? If so, what c

Women represent 75 percent of people working in nonprofit organizations in the United States. One might think because they make up such a high percentage of staffing that they would have equal leadership positions and pay compared to their male counterparts. However, research shows that just because women represent a high percentage of positions in the nonprofit sector that there is no equity.Unfortunately, there are a large number of systemic issues tied to this, and we go deeper into this in our full webinar, “Celebrating Women in Nonprofits”.ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICKGrant Writing & Funding (GWF) has a Global Movement to Secure $1 Billion in Grant Funding for Good and $30 Million in Grant Writing Businesses by 2030. Holly Rustick, CEO of GWF, is leading the movement; a world-renowned grant writer with 20+ years of experience, bestselling author, and business coach for new and seasoned grant writers to replace their full-time income writing grants part-time from home through her signature programs: the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and the Grant Professional Mentorship. Rustick is the host of the top grant writing podcast “Grant Writing & Funding” and the author of the Bestselling book, The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing. With an MA in International Political Economy, past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce, serving on numerous boards of directors, Holly is also an unapologetic feminist. She lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella. CONNECT WITH HOLLY RUSTICK Website: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/ RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship Links Associate with this Episode:Celebrate Women’s History Month & International Grant Professional Day by watching this FREE webinar: Celebrating Women in Nonprofits How Nonprofit Leaders can Identify Inequity and Create a Path Towards EquityWhy are Female Freelance Grant Writers Working for Free?Why Female Grant Writers Struggle with Pricing & RatesGrant Writer Pricing Survey: Why Grant Professionals Don’t Feel ValuedGrant Professional MentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

Freelance grant writing is a female-led industry, with 82 percent of grant professionals surveyed are female. In our definition here, a grant professional is a grant writer that owns their own business. As far as grant writers who work within a nonprofit organization, this percentage is at 67 percent, which is also quite high. Initially what the Global Development Solutions 2022 Pricing Survey found is that female grant professionals are charging more per hour than men. -------------------------------------------------- ✨💌 Get FREE Grant Writing Resources when You Join the Grant Writing Hub Haven: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/get-started/ 👉💰🖥️ Grant Writing Master Course: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-writing-master-course/ 🖥️🔥 👉 Want to get paid to write grants? https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-course/ 🤗☕👉 Want to increase funding strategies for your https://grantwritingandfunding.com/nonprofit-strategic-planning/ ——————————————————————————— To learn more about this episode AND get the full links for each of these, click here: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/261 Favor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener? This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review! If you have any questions, feel free to email [email protected] Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick Expert Grant Writer & Bestselling Author ✨💌 Visit https://grantwritingandfunding.com for the Hub Haven Grant Writing Resources

Every nonprofit leader knows that learning never stops—but with so many books out there, which ones are actually worth your time? Staying ahead of trends, leadership strategies, and innovative thinking can feel overwhelming without a trusted guide.That’s exactly what Nonprofit Jenni brings to this conversation. As the founder of the Overhead Book Club, she curates cutting-edge books specifically for nonprofit leaders. Jenni spends countless hours researching and vetting books to ensure they deliver real value—and in this episode, she shares some of her top recommendations and insights.Tune in to discover powerful reads that can elevate your leadership, strengthen your organization, and spark new ideas for impact.ABOUT OUR GUESTNonprofit Jenni is the founder of the Overhead Book Club, where she curates books for nonprofit leaders. She dedicates extensive time to researching and selecting high-quality, impactful books to help nonprofit professionals grow as leaders and innovators.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools your nonprofit has—but are you using it effectively?In this episode, we dive into how strategic storytelling and press conferences can elevate your nonprofit’s visibility, credibility, and impact.Nikki R. Jones joins us to share how nonprofits can craft compelling narratives that resonate with their audience, attract media attention, and communicate their mission with clarity and purpose.We explore how to prepare for and execute successful press conferences, how to position your organization in the media, and why storytelling is essential for building trust and engagement with your community. If you’re ready to amplify your message and make your nonprofit stand out, this episode is packed with insights you can start using right away.ABOUT OUR GUESTNikki R. Jones is a communications strategist, speechwriter, copywriter, and trainer with over 16 years of experience across the small business, government, and nonprofit sectors. She specializes in helping organizations craft powerful messaging, develop compelling stories, and communicate effectively with their audiences.Through her work, Nikki supports leaders and organizations in building visibility, strengthening their voice, and creating meaningful connections through strategic communication.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

Sean Kosofsky, the Nonprofit Fixer, comes on the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to discuss how nonprofit organizations can transition into a 4-day workweek. This can help with retaining skilled staff and recruiting new staff (without increasing your budget!). -------------------------------------------------- ✨💌 Get FREE Grant Writing Resources when You Join the Grant Writing Hub Haven: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/get-started/ 👉💰🖥️ Grant Writing Master Course: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-writing-master-course/ 🖥️🔥 👉 Want to get paid to write grants? https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-course/ 🤗☕👉 Want to increase funding strategies for your https://grantwritingandfunding.com/nonprofit-strategic-planning/ ——————————————————————————— To learn more about this episode AND get the full links for each of these, click here: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/258 Favor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener? This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review! If you have any questions, feel free to email [email protected] Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick Expert Grant Writer & Bestselling Author ✨💌 Visit https://grantwritingandfunding.com for the Hub Haven Grant Writing Resources

In this special premiere presentation of Grant Professional Pricing Survey results, Rachel Waterman of Global Development Solutions and Grant Easy Management Systems, delivers the results of an intensive 2022 pricing survey among grant writing professionals. The results identified in "Survey Revealed: What & How Grant Professionals are Pricing Their Services"are very eye-opening!About Rachel WatermanRachel Waterman has over 25 years of community development and grant writing experience, is Grant Professional Certified (GPC), a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), a Grant Professionals Association (GPA) Approved Trainer, and an expert in grant management. She holds a Master’s degree in community and economic development with a concentration in applied social research from Illinois State University and a Bachelor’s degree in international studies from Barry University. Her career has encompassed a broad spectrum of professional experiences, including serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer, nonprofit executive director, community organizer, city master planner, researcher, and Mayor of the city of Lake Worth Beach, Florida.Rachel is CEO and Founder of GDS Grants. She is responsible for client strategy, new program & budget development, data tracking systems, outcome measures and data analysis. Rachel also oversees the GDS Professional Development Program and personally coaches GDS interns, fellows and mentees.Links mentioned:GEMS 10% Off Coupon “Use GWFHOLLY” Full Pricing ReportGrants Easy Management SystemGlobal Development SystemsRachel Waterman on LinkedInEp. 165: Grant Management Made Easy: Never Miss a Grant or Funding DeadlineOTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.———————————————————————————This podcast episode was lovingly sponsored by GEMS!This podcast episode is lovingly sponsored by Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS). Break Up with Your Spreadsheet – Get GEMS Grant Easy Management Software and NEVER MISS A DEADLINE AGAIN! Book YOUR FREE demo now! Click here: https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/gems ———————————————————————————

Ihor Bauman from Workee comes on the Grant Writing & Funding podcast this week to give you tips to write effective blogs that drive people and donors to your nonprofit or consultancy website. -------------------------------------------------- ✨💌 Get FREE Grant Writing Resources when You Join the Grant Writing Hub Haven: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/get-started/ 👉💰🖥️ Grant Writing Master Course: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-writing-master-course/ 🖥️🔥 👉 Want to get paid to write grants? https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-course/ 🤗☕👉 Want to increase funding strategies for your https://grantwritingandfunding.com/nonprofit-strategic-planning/ ------------------------------------------------------ To learn more about this episode AND get the full links for each of these, click here: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/256 Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick Expert Grant Writer & Bestselling Author https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/ Favor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener? This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review! If you have any questions, feel free to email [email protected] I’d love to connect with you! ✨💌 Visit https://grantwritingandfunding.com/ for the Hub Haven Grant Writing Resources

In this episode, Holly Rustick sits down with Dr. Rob Harter from the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast and CCPC to discuss how nonprofits can increase their funding and grow sustainably. With over 26 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, Dr. Harter shares practical strategies and insights drawn from decades in the field. Together, they explore three key tips to help organizations expand their funding streams, along with important nonprofit trends to watch. This conversation provides valuable guidance on how to strengthen your funding approach, adapt to changes in the sector, and position your nonprofit for long-term success.ABOUT OUR GUESTDr. Rob Harter is a nonprofit leader, podcast host of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast, and a key figure at CCPC. With more than 26 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, he has led organizations through growth, innovation, and increased funding success. Dr. Harter is passionate about equipping nonprofit leaders with practical tools and strategies to build sustainable, high-impact organizations.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

In this episode, we’re diving into how Charity Navigator helps donors make informed giving decisions and how nonprofits can better understand their ratings. I’m joined by Michael Thatcher from Charity Navigator, who breaks down how the platform works—from searching by cause areas and using filters to find aligned organizations, to discovering giving circles and engaging more strategically in philanthropy.We also explore how Charity Navigator operates as a nonprofit, where it secures its revenue, and why it remains free to use. Plus, we take a closer look at how its rating system evaluates and ranks nonprofits, providing transparency and accountability across the sector.ABOUT OUR GUESTMichael Thatcher is a leader at Charity Navigator, one of the most trusted nonprofit evaluation platforms. He is dedicated to increasing transparency and helping donors make informed decisions while supporting nonprofits in strengthening their impact.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

Every nonprofit organization has a board of directors, but understanding their roles and responsibilities can often feel unclear. While there are widely recognized “10 Best Practices” for nonprofit boards, it raises important questions—who established these standards, and are they truly the most effective?To understand the history behind these practices, Sarah Olivieri from PivotGround joins the Grant Writing & Funding Podcast and YouTube Channel to share a different perspective. Sarah challenges the idea that board best practices are always beneficial—and explains why they might not be the best fit for your nonprofit.ABOUT OUR GUESTSarah Olivieri is the founder of PivotGround, where she helps nonprofit leaders build stronger, more effective organizations. She specializes in nonprofit strategy, board development, and leadership, bringing a fresh perspective on how boards can better support mission-driven work.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

Pricing grant writing services is a challenge that many freelance grant writers have (and for good reasons). The thing is, a lot of freelance grant writers and nonprofit consultants go with traditional pricing vs. value-based pricing. However, as a freelance grant writer, you are a professional and you should be charging value-based pricing.ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICKGrant Writing & Funding (GWF) has a Global Movement to Secure $1 Billion in Grant Funding for Good and $30 Million in Grant Writing Businesses by 2030. Holly Rustick, CEO of GWF, is leading the movement; a world-renowned grant writer with 20+ years of experience, bestselling author, and business coach for new and seasoned grant writers to replace their full-time income writing grants part-time from home through her signature programs: the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and the Grant Professional Mentorship. Rustick is the host of the top grant writing podcast “Grant Writing & Funding” and the author of the Bestselling book, The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing. With an MA in International Political Economy, past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce, serving on numerous boards of directors, Holly is also an unapologetic feminist. She lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella. CONNECT WITH HOLLY RUSTICK Website: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/ RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.