Grant Writing & Funding

What is your New Year’s resolution for your nonprofit?As Dr. Beverly Browning says, “This is the time not to drink, but to think.”In this episode, we dive into how nonprofits can use this time to reflect, reset, and strategically plan for the year ahead—especially in a landscape that has shifted priorities and funding opportunities. We discuss why understanding the full journey from startup to sustainability is critical before even launching your nonprofit, and how having the right foundation—like a strong board of directors, a clear strategic plan, financial systems, and cohesive branding—can set you up for long-term success.We also explore how to reflect on what truly matters for your organization, set new and aligned goals with your board, evaluate whether your mission, vision, and values are still in sync, and determine if it’s time to create new or adapted programs.If you’re ready to move into the new year with clarity, intention, and a stronger strategy, this episode will help guide your next steps.ABOUT OUR GUESTDr. Beverly A. Browning is a nationally recognized grant writing expert, author, and trainer with decades of experience helping nonprofits secure funding and build sustainable programs. She is the author of multiple books on grant writing, including Grant Writing for Dummies, and has trained thousands of nonprofit professionals across the United States.Dr. Browning specializes in helping nonprofits build strong foundations—from startup through sustainability—by developing strategic plans, diversified funding streams, and effective organizational systems.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.

Branding is important—and it’s not going anywhere. Yes, even for nonprofit organizations. But if you’re thinking, “I don’t even have enough budget for my programs—how am I supposed to invest in branding?”—you’re not alone. Here’s the good news: you don’t need a big budget to build a strong brand.In this episode, Dr. Beverly Browning and I break down what nonprofit branding really means and how you can create a professional, trustworthy presence without overspending.We talk about simple, practical ways to get started—from basic materials like business cards to the must-have asset every nonprofit needs today: a website. Because let’s be real—having just a Facebook or Instagram page isn’t enough anymore.We also share tips on affordable, user-friendly tools and platforms that can help you build a beautiful and functional online presence without feeling overwhelmed.Whether you’re a nonprofit leader or a freelance grant writer supporting organizations, this episode gives you a crash course in branding that’s both accessible and impactful.ABOUT OUR GUESTDr. Beverly A. Browning is a nationally recognized grant writing expert, author, and trainer with decades of experience helping nonprofits secure funding and build sustainable programs. She is the author of multiple books on grant writing, including Grant Writing for Dummies, and has trained thousands of nonprofit professionals across the United States.In addition to her expertise in grant writing, Dr. Browning supports nonprofits in strengthening their overall capacity, including strategic planning, funding diversification, and organizational development.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.

Is your nonprofit struggling financially—or relying on just one type of funding like grants or fundraising?If so, this episode is for you.And guess who’s back on the Grant Writing & Funding podcast? Dr. Beverly Browning—woot-woot!In this conversation, we explore how nonprofits can build a more balanced and sustainable funding strategy by diversifying their income streams. We discuss how board members can play an active financial role, why even startup nonprofits should implement simple monthly fundraisers, and how to position your organization for credibility by being listed on platforms like GuideStar.We also cover practical ways to secure startup funding, how organizations can raise $40,000+ within a year, and why your funding strategy should never rely on just one source. Plus, we dive into how social media plays a key role in amplifying your funding opportunities and visibility.If you’re a nonprofit leader, board member, or grant writer looking to strengthen your organization’s financial health and expand your funding approach, this episode is packed with actionable insights.ABOUT OUR GUESTDr. Beverly A. Browning is a nationally recognized grant writing expert, author, and trainer with decades of experience helping nonprofits secure funding and build sustainable programs. She is the author of multiple books on grant writing, including Grant Writing for Dummies, and has trained thousands of nonprofit professionals across the United States.Dr. Browning specializes in helping nonprofits diversify their funding streams, strengthen organizational capacity, and develop long-term strategies for financial sustainability.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 know where to start with strategic planning?You’re not alone—and this episode is here to help.Dr. Beverly Browning is back on the podcast, and together we dive into how nonprofits can shift from constantly chasing funding to building a clear, intentional strategic plan.Instead of reacting to every grant opportunity, we talk about how to step back, define your priorities, and create a roadmap that actually supports long-term sustainability.In this episode, you’ll get practical tips on how to approach strategic planning for the year ahead, how to align your funding efforts with your mission, and why having a plan in place can make all the difference in your nonprofit’s growth.If you’re ready to move from reactive fundraising to proactive strategy, this episode is a must-listen.ABOUT OUR GUESTDr. Beverly A. Browning is a nationally recognized grant writing expert, author, and trainer with decades of experience helping nonprofits secure funding and build sustainable programs. She is the author of multiple books on grant writing, including Grant Writing for Dummies, and has trained thousands of nonprofit professionals across the United States.Dr. Browning specializes in strategic planning and helping nonprofits develop diversified funding approaches that align with their mission and long-term goals.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 the December Nonprofit Series! Dr. Beverly Browning will be my co-host throughout the entire month!In this podcast, we go over the Red Flags that we have both seen time and time again when it comes to nonprofits starting or growing.Some issues include:Not having a board of directorsHaving a family-only run boardThinking the millions of dollars of grants will start rolling in the minute you file paperworkStarting a Sole Corp instead of a 501(c)3Thinking you can pay a grant writer with the commission of an awarded grantNot having a conflict of interest policyWe discuss all of these and more!About Dr. Beverly BrowningDr. Beverly A. Browning has been consulting in the areas of grant writing, RFP responses, technical writing, and organizational development for over four decades. She has assisted clients and workshop participants throughout the United States in receiving awards of more than $500 million. Dr. Browning is the author of 43 grant-related publications, including six editions (over 1 million books sold) of Grant Writing For Dummies™ (Wiley.com). She is also an international trainer and keynote speaker. In 2015, she was selected by the Centers for Disease Control NICRD division to conduct a five-day Grant Writing Boot Camp in South Africa for ministers of health and other top-level health directors from 23 African countries.Dr. Browning holds graduate and post-graduate degrees in Organizational Development, Public Administration, and Business Administration. She has been a grant writing course developer and online facilitator for Cengage Learning (www.ed2go.com) for 17 years. Her online courses (taught to thousands of students annually) are Advanced Proposal Writing, Becoming a Grant Writing Consultant, and A to Z Grant Writing: Part 2 – Beyond the Basics.Dr. Browning is Founder and Director of the Grant Writing Training Foundation and CEO for Bev Browning, LLC. She was a 17-year member of the Grant Professionals Association (GPA) and has presented training workshops and keynote presentations for multiple GPA chapters U.S.-wide. In 2017, Dr. Browning joined the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and was a workshop presenter at their 2018 International conference in New Orleans. She is an approved trainer for GPA and CFRE International.Dr. Browning has been married 53 years to John and has one daughter, Lara, a licensed therapist, and a special needs granddaughter, Aaliyah.Connect with Dr. Beverly:To find out more about Dr. Bev, check out http://bevbrowning.com/Or find her on LinkedIn where she facilitates a group at https://www.linkedin.com/in/bevbrowning/Related Links:Check out Episode #108: Freelance Grant Writing Wisdom with Dr. Beverly Browning. Click here. Check out Episode #118: Freelance Grant Writer Panel: Grant Writing During COVID-19. Click here.Check out Episode #119: BONUS Freelance Grant Writer Panel: Grant Writing During COVID-19 Q&A. Click here.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/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.

GivingTuesday is a global movement that began in 2012, and (wowza!) has it gained momentum. This was originally a day to create a movement from shopping to giving and has been very focused on nonprofit organizations. Who is this important for: ✔️ If you are a nonprofit leader ✔️ If you are a freelance grant writer of nonprofit consultant Why is this day important? ✔️ You can gain buzz about the nonprofit ✔️ You can get donations and funding on this day ✔️ You can kick off a nonprofit end-of-year campaign ✔️ (Freelancer) You can earn an additional stream of income by making this a service you help nonprofits with Listen to the podcast to get 6 tips to help you join in on this international movement :) 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! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzIfwJt0az9KKwKz1Uc8vg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyrustick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-rustick-0765b817/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick Expert Grant Writer & Bestselling Author

This year may feel different when it comes to end-of-year fundraising—but that doesn’t mean fundraising should stop. In fact, it shouldn’t.People still want to give. Some may even have more capacity to give, while others are more aware than ever of the impact your nonprofit has in the community. So, the question isn’t if you should fundraise—it’s how.If traditional, in-person events aren’t an option, this episode walks you through creative and effective ways to shift your strategy online while still building connection and generating revenue.We start with the foundation of all successful fundraising: relationships. Before asking for donations, it’s essential to thank and recognize your current donors—whether through handwritten notes, social media shoutouts, or other meaningful touches.From there, we explore four additional virtual fundraising ideas that are both engaging and practical: Hosting a virtual Turkey Trot or fun run paired with a scavenger hunt Organizing a seasonal baking competition with opportunities to upsell winning treats Creating curated gift baskets for corporate partners with pre-orders to minimize risk Planning a holiday-themed virtual trivia night to bring community and fun together online Each idea is designed to help you raise funds while strengthening relationships and creating memorable experiences for your supporters.If you’re looking for ways to keep your fundraising strong—no matter the circumstances—this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable ideas.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.

Has your nonprofit—or the nonprofits you support—received CARES Act funding? If not, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.In this conversation, Tim Butler breaks down how nonprofits can still tap into CARES Act funding and why it’s critical to act quickly. With specific deadlines and distribution requirements set at the state and city level, there’s a limited window to access these funds—and waiting could mean missing out.Tim shares insights into how these funds are being allocated, what nonprofits need to know to qualify, and how to position your organization to secure this funding before it’s gone. If you’re looking for timely, actionable guidance on accessing emergency funding opportunities, this episode will help you understand what steps to take right now.ABOUT OUR GUESTTim Butler is the Founder and Owner of Freelance Soul Professional Services, a grant writing and fundraising consulting firm based in Tulsa, Oklahoma—home of the historic Black Wall Street. As an unapologetically Black male-owned business, Tim is dedicated to closing the funding gap for historically underrepresented communities and vulnerable populations, including people of color, women, veterans, faith communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and disadvantaged organizations.With over 15 years of experience and a 93.75% grant success rate, Tim has secured more than $1 million in funding for startups, nonprofits, and social entrepreneurs. His clients have seen returns on investment as high as 35:1. He is a Certified Nonprofit Professional through the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance and holds a Community Development Certification from Howard University.Tim specializes in helping organizations become grant-ready, secure their first funding, and implement systems for long-term sustainability. His services include nonprofit formation, grant research and writing, corporate sponsorship development, board training, and grant review and editing.Guided by his belief that “knowledge is just having information—wisdom is knowing how to use that information to get desired results,” Tim is passionate about creating equitable access to funding and ensuring more organizations have a seat at the table.CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/freelancesoulOTHER 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.

Oh yes. Those pesky grant writing qualms.Here are the top questions that I get.#1: How Do You Get Funding From Grants for General Operating Expenses?You can get funding for general operating expenses through 3 ways:Pursue specific grants that target general operatingInclude a certain percentage of your general operating expenses within the direct categories of a grant project budgetInclude up to 10% of the grant amount in the indirect category in a grant budget#2: As a non-US grant seeker, is there funding available?Yes! There is absolutely funding available! You can get that through the following:There are certain U.S. federal grants that give specifically to nonprofits (both U.S. organizations based abroad and to non-U.S. nonprofits)Certain foundations give out money to nonprofits around the world (think Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation)There are many international funding sources, such as EU organizations, UN organizations, foundations, Canadian funding, etc.#3: Do you recommend college courses for beginning grant writers?That depends. If you are in college already and want to get college credit toward a degree this could be great. However, if you are not in college nor seeking a degree, then I would recommend taking a grant writing course offered by a grant writer that is in the field.Such as my 6-Week Live Grant Writing Course or DIY Grant Writing Course *wink-wink*But the fact is these courses can cost way less and take less time, but give you the real tips of how grant writers are actually winning grants!#4: What’s the best approach when a foundation states they don’t accept unsolicited applications?Develop a relationship. A way to side-step the gatekeeper is to go on LinkedIn and start a relationship with decision-makers at the foundations. But remember – don’t go in blazing asking for money right away. Spend time liking their posts and making comments. Start sharing things with them that they may find interesting. And make sure they are a good fit. Does their mission statement align with your nonprofit’s mission?#5: I am a freelance grant writer and my nonprofit client does not know how to guide me. What questions should I ask to get information?Ooh, I love this one. So first off you need to:Give them a list requesting certain documentsThen have a Kick-off Grant Writing MeetingInclude the Executive Director, Bookkeeper, Grant Coordinator, and possibly an expertWrite down the deadlines and tasks for everyoneWant to listen to the entire podcast with way more examples? Click above on the podcast link :)To sum up, the 5 Most Popular Grant Writing Questions are:How Do You Get Funding From Grants for General Operating Expenses?As a non-US grant seeker, is there funding available?Do you recommend college courses for beginning grant writers?What’s the best approach when a foundation states they don’t accept unsolicited applications?I am a freelance grant writer and my nonprofit client does not know how to guide me. What questions should I ask to get information?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

Anytime you’re trying to find the best-fit grants, it can be hard. Because in the beginning, everything’s new. Things like figuring out the best grant search platform, knowing which grant programs are the best-fit, and knowing when to submit grant applications can be overwhelming. And you can see that as you grow, you come up against new challenges. Even if you have experience with grant writing already, you’re always looking for the 80/20. You don’t have time to waste, so you want to find the 20% that’s going to produce 80% of the results. Well to know that you need to know what types of grants are out there. And there are 3 types of grants: ✔️ Federal ✔️ State Grants ✔️ Foundation We discuss all of these in the podcast today! ✨✨ Visit www.grantwritingandfunding.com to get the proven G.R.A.N.T.S. formula to write winning grants ✨✨ 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! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzIfwJt0az9KKwKz1Uc8vg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyrustick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-rustick-0765b817/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick Expert Grant Writer & Bestselling Author https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/ ✨✨ Visit www.grantwritingandfunding.com to get the proven G.R.A.N.T.S. formula to write winning grants ✨✨

This week, I’m going to teach you how to write winning grants with this 5-step How to Write a Grant Proposal. This will help you with your confidence if you are a beginner grant writer or even an advanced grant writer.If you want a free grant writing class you can watch NOW, check out this free grant class.So if you’re a new grant writer, but you aren’t sure how you can write winning grants, or you’re an experienced grant writer looking to understand the basic formula of all grant structure, you’ll discover how grant writers like you and me can write winning grants – and why it’s critical you focus on this right now.In last week’s podcast, we talked about a process for creating award-winning grant applications. I shared how this is going to immediately help you simplify grant lingo, so you feel less overwhelmed, check out Grant Language Made Easy. So, if you listened to that podcast go back and watch it now – and then come back to this one.This week I am going to build on what we discussed by sharing the #1 thing you must master if you want to write winning grants. Think of this as your “first step” towards making this happen.This is an entirely new way of thinking about grant writing, so you will want to pay close attention.I am also going to share how to write a budget. When you know how to do this, you will know exactly what funding you can request.The goal is to break you free of being unsure of how to ask for money. This way, you will never have to worry about how to write winning grants which means you’ll with your confidence if you are a freelance grant writer or write a grant for a specific nonprofit.We have got a lot to cover today, so be sure to have your pen and paper ready to take notes as you follow along.Any time you are trying to write winning grants, it is inevitable you’ll hit roadblocks. You might have experienced some of them already.Things like pulling out your hair, staring at a blank screen, and even not even knowing where to start.Well, here is what I know to be true: if any of this sounds familiar, it’s totally normal.But if you simply accept this at face value, you will never write winning grants.And I know where you are coming from. I get that it feels like some of this is out of your hands.It’s frustrating to come up against these things – again and again. I’ve been there myself, and I’ve seen other Grant Writers go through the same thing.And it’s especially stressful because you know that getting past these challenges is key in helping you write winning grants.So, in this podcast and article, I’m going to make it easy for you. I’ll help you avoid these usual headaches by showing you the simple steps I follow to write winning grants which will save you lots of frustration.So let’s get into the meat and potatoes of today’s article and podcast with these 5 Hacks to Write a Grant Proposal.Okay, so when starting to write a grant application the first thing you need to do is:#1) Get the Funding Opportunity Announcement or Request for ProposalI never start with a blank page because I copy and paste what it is in the FOA for the criteria directly into my Word document or Google doc.Firstly, I do this because I need to make sure the nonprofit is eligible for the grant program, but secondly, I do this because I am writing in response to what the funding source has requested. Now if you spend time writing a flowery narrative but it includes WAY more (or none) of the information requested the funding source is going to be a bit frustrated.Sound harsh?It is the truth and it’s not meant to be mean at all. A lot of these funding sources receive hundreds of applications and they need to follow what their priorities are. If they do not see that you are directly responding to their individual request they won’t look favorably on your application.Another helpful reason I copy and paste the criteria and then turn it into headers is that it takes my guesswork out and gives me a guide. No more blank pages.#2) Research the NeedsTo create a compelling case for a grant application, you need to provide statistics and facts. A flowery statement about how awful the situation might get some tears, but it will not get grants won.The funding source wants to know how well you can meet their priorities, so they know there is a gap and a need. Chances are they are as passionate as you are about solving the problem. But sad pictures and horror stories do not paint a complete picture. They need to see statistics, surveys, and case studies to show the need.So, if you are pursuing a grant to serve human trafficking survivors, do put in the number of prosecuted cases in your region, the number of trafficked victims, and geographic vulnerabilities such as interstate highways, etc. Also, use research when you can that is within the previous five years.#3) Articulate the Goals & Narrow Your ObjectivesThe goal or goals in a grant is the overarching outcome. This needs to be clear for both you and the funding source. I

As you may or may not know acronyms are grants best-friends.If you’ve heard the terms FOA, RFP, SAM, DUNS, or a number of other terms, then you are in the grant world.I once heard a grant writer speak an entire sentence using only acronyms!Ugh! If you are overwhelmed already, don’t worry, I’m going to start breaking it down right now!Let’s first dissect the main different types of grants and contracts.There are federal grants, state contracts, and foundation grants. Think of those like your three main hubs.Federal GrantsFederal grants are monies allocated from the federal government.There are more than 900 grant programs offered by the 26 federal grant-making agencies. These programs fall into 20 categories. These categories include topics such as Agriculture, Food & Nutrition, and Community Development.Yes, there are a ton of federal grants.State and Local Government Contracts & GrantsState and local government contracts often receive much of their funding from the federal government as they can promote economic efficiency due to localized knowledge to implement a program more efficiently and effectively than the federal government (i.e., pass-through funding).Contracts are basically either made through grant formulas or discretionary funding through federal, state, or government agencies. If we were to compare the two mechanisms, we would say that a contract has two parties exchanging promises where one party delivers and the other party pays.A grant, however, has two parties wherein one party gives the money and another party performs the objectives in hopes of achieving them. A contract is legally binding, and nonperformance can be dealt with in court whereas nonperformance of a grant can result in the organization paying back monies and essentially being blacklisted.Foundation GrantsA foundation grant is a monetary assistance provided to individuals and small businesses by companies, citizens, government, and non-government organizations. The money awarded as a grant is meant to meet particular needs and is not required to be repaid.“A foundation is a non-governmental entity that is established as a nonprofit corporation or a charitable trust with a principal purpose of making grants to unrelated organizations, institutions, or individuals for scientific, educational, cultural, religious, or other charitable purposes.” ~ GRANTSPACEWhen you think of private foundations, think the Ford Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, local insurance companies in your community that have foundations, and the like.Which grants should your nonprofit go after? Well, the wide answer is all of them.Listen to the full podcast to get all the details!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 Me

Navigating the road of freelance grant writing can feel lonely and overwhelming at times—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, I sit down with Tawanda Ellis, whose journey is a powerful example of what’s possible when you follow a clear roadmap and stay committed.Tawanda shares how she built a thriving grant writing business from home, landing 25+ clients in under three years using primarily word-of-mouth marketing. We talk about how she’s helped secure over $2.8 million in grant funding, how she supports nonprofits with strategic planning, and why she expanded her work to launch an additional business, MirrorMom360.We also dive into her “Write It Out” Method, the importance of reflection time, and the intentional thinking behind her business branding. This conversation is packed with insight, encouragement, and real-world strategies for building a sustainable grant writing business. If you’ve been looking for proof that this path works—and a roadmap to follow—this episode will leave you inspired.ABOUT OUR GUESTTawanda Ellis is the Owner and Principal Consultant of DNA 360 Consulting, a minority-owned business that provides training and consulting services to government agencies, startup nonprofits, and organizations seeking sustainable funding strategies.She founded DNA 360 Consulting out of a passion for helping nonprofits increase their impact, strengthen programs, and secure funding. Tawanda works closely with organization leaders to develop community-focused services, evaluate program effectiveness, and win grants to support their missions.With her team, she brings decades of combined experience in program development, management, and evaluation. Together, they have helped nonprofits secure over $2.8 million in funding in just three years.CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTWebsite: https://dna-360-consulting.jimdosite.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tawanda-ellis-83476a198/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 week’s podcast, I’m joined by special guests Shinedelight Enterprises! This episode is perfect for nonprofits that want to become ADA compliant and attract more donors through effective digital marketing.Together, we explore how improving accessibility and strengthening your online presence can help you reach a wider audience and increase engagement.We cover simple tech solutions to help your nonprofit become ADA compliant, along with practical strategies for conducting effective digital marketing. We also share easy (and free) online marketing hacks, ways to attract more donors, and real-world case studies highlighting successful nonprofit digital marketing efforts.ABOUT OUR GUESTShinedelight Enterprises specializes in helping organizations enhance digital accessibility and marketing strategies, supporting nonprofits in becoming ADA compliant while growing their visibility and donor base.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.

There always comes a time when starting a business that stumps people. Creating the best name for your grant writing business is one of those times. Sometimes it completely throws people off the tracks that they never get back on and actually start their business. Don’t let this stop you!To help you navigate this process I have identified three different ways (and the pros and cons) to help you find the best name for you grant writing business.#1 Use Your NamePros:It is more personalizedIf you have a unique name it won’t be taken!It works for the 80% connection of social media (I am commenting on other people’s post, not a business name).It is easier to get started (you don’t need to spend months trying to figure it out)Cons:If you have a common name, you will need to add a little more in, i.e. “Holly Rustick Grant Writing Consultancy”If your name changes (get married, divorced, etc.) then your name shift can be difficultIf you decide to dissolve your business, then you may need to rebuild your social media and website brandingYou can’t separate yourself from your business so easily#2 Basic Company NamePros:It tells the story very quickly of what you do; i.e. Grant Writing & FundingIt is found more easily when people are searching online (i.e. someone looking for grant writing and my business pops up. They aren’t looking for my name, but for what I do).Cons:A lot of the popular super basic domain names; i.e. www.grantwritingandfunding.com, are takenIt can feel a little sterileSome people forget to personalize their branding because their business name is what they do and not who they are (i.e. they use stock photos and not pictures of themselves).#3 Whimsical NamePros:It can be fun and exemplify your characterYou might be passionate about the wordsCons:It can be too abstract that you won’t get noticed; “Wish Granted!” vs. “The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing.”It can confuse your ideal client because they won’t know what you doIt can be cute to you, but hard to pronounce and doesn’t connect to other peopleABOUT 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.

This episode is for you, if: ● You are tired of getting in your own way ● You are not confident in submitting a grant application ● You are not confident in securing nonprofit clients or partnerships What you will learn, is: ● You will gain confidence in approaching clients or funding sources ● You will learn how to believe in yourself in your business or nonprofit ● You will become the person you want to be What is impostor syndrome? You may have heard this term kicked around on social media, podcasts, books, and more. But it is real. According to Very Well Mind, Impostor syndrome is defined as “the experience of feeling like a phony—you feel as though at any moment you are going to be found out as a fraud—like you don't belong where you are, and you only got there through dumb luck.” Learn the five different types of impostor syndrome and how to overcome them in your nonprofit or freelance grant writing biz in this podcast! Check out www.grantwritingandfunding.com/136 for more info! If you have any questions, feel free to email [email protected] I’d love to connect with you! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzIfwJt0az9KKwKz1Uc8vg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyrustick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-rustick-0765b817/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick Expert Grant Writer & Bestselling Author Want to do me a favor? Please leave a review on this podcast!

Have you ever known deep in your gut what your dream is, but you aren’t currently living in it? Or maybe you commit to living your dream but don’t even know where to start. If you could sit down and have coffee with someone who turned $1,000 into $15,000 during the pandemic while helping others and working less, then would you? Because today we are doing just that as we listen to how Dr. Omotola Akinsola as she shares all her secrets and how she overcame challenges. But even if you are not looking to open a freelance grant writing biz, and you run a nonprofit, you will also want to catch this as she is going to spill all in how she has also continued to grow a thriving nonprofit after doing a needs assessment. Due to that, her nonprofit has served more than 8,000 students and teachers in Nigeria. This episode is definitely for you if:You want to start or grow a nonprofitYou want to turn leads from being those that ghost you into high paying customersYou are a parent and need to balance running a business with being home with your kidsYou want to find out how to price and charge clientsYou want to be inspired because you need something positive to listen today (yes, Tola is that amazing!)You want a free coupon on Tola’s Grant Writing Made Easy for Nonprofit! Click here.Dr. Akinsola shares behind-the-scenes on:How she grew up in poverty in Nigeria and followed her dreams by taking big risksHow the education strike made her start to do her own personal and professional developmentHer Fab 6 heroes include: Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa, and her parentsHow she burned all her bridges to do massive thingsWhy and How she did a focus group before launching a nonprofitHow she opened a nonprofit in Nigeria while being a student in the StatesHow her nonprofit in Nigeria has trained more than 8,000 students and teachersWhen and how she opened her freelance grant writing biz: The Funding MagnetHow she created a product after talking to 300 nonprofitsHow the Freelance Grant Writing Master Course changed her business and she 15X her investment within a matter of monthsHow she has diversified her streams of incomeHow she learned how to create passive incomeHow she learned her value and how to priceHow a one-hour consultation helped her raise $5,000 for her nonprofitHow she realized she was wasting her time with dead leads and started getting clients with less drainAbout Dr. Omotola AkinsolaOmotola has over seven years of experience as both an in-house grant writer and as a freelance grant consultant to various nonprofit organizations across the United States and the continent of Africa. A Social Worker by trade, Omotola combines her passion for education, youth, leadership, homelessness, community service, nonprofits and social entrepreneurship with her skills as a writer and researcher.Omotola holds a master’s from George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. She focused on nonprofit development, social enterprise development & management, grant writing, and fundraising during her master’s and received a specialization in social entrepreneurship. She earned a bachelor’s in social work with a double minor in leadership studies and psychology from Columbia College. She is completing her Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.Her interests are in educational & economic disparities, international youth development, youth unemployment, youth asset development, community development, social entrepreneurship, mentoring, and nonprofit management & fundraising.She founded JumpStart Dream Academy, a nonprofit organization in Nigeria that works with youth to develop them into agents of positive change. She has worked and consulted for various nonprofit organizations in different capacities such as creating and designing programs, evaluating programs, structuring nonprofits to run effective, budgeting, grant proposal writing and reviews, and coming up with fundraising strategies.Omotola is sold out to helping young nonprofit organizations be a force for good and guiding nonprofits in getting funded and being effective.Where you can find Dr. Omotola Akinsola:Website: https://thefundingmagnet.com/Instagram: @thefundingmagnetNonprofit: JumpStart Dream 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 rea

*Sign up for the Freelance Grant Writing Master Course Waitlist and get a Bonus Downloadable today: www.grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance.* In this podcast you will learn how to get clear on who you want to serve as a freelance grant writer or nonprofit consultant, as well as what types of grants are best suited to you to write. This is super important as serving all nonprofits isn’t always the best place to start. Why not? Well, it is hard to really market specifically, cultivate clients, and get experience and expertise in a certain field. You may have heard that creating an avatar or ideal client is important in any business. That’s true – even in this business. You want to know what types of nonprofits you enjoy serving otherwise you might either take on clients that drive you crazy or have a hard time getting any clients because your message is too large. • If you just don’t even know how to market, or • wonder why your clients drive you crazy and end up being WAY too much work, or • just aren’t sure why you are not attracting leads… it could be due to not creating a niche market. This podcast will help you get clear on your messaging and show you how to gain more clients while focusing on less. In the Freelance Grant Writing Master Course, I go over this in more detail and quizzes so you can get clear on specific niches. But today’s episode will definitely help you get clear on your niche market. If you have any questions, feel free to email [email protected] I’d love to connect with you! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzIfwJt0az9KKwKz1Uc8vg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyrustick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-rustick-0765b817/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick Expert Grant Writer & Bestselling Author P.S. if you love the podcast, please leave a review on iTunes! That would make me SO happy! :)

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a freelance grant writer—but don’t know where to start? Or maybe you’ve already started your business but you’ve hit a plateau. Either way, this episode is for you. Because here’s the truth: there are core fundamentals to building a successful freelance grant writing business—and if you skip them, you’re going to struggle. Not just a little… a lot.You may find yourself constantly busy but not making progress. Always doing, but never feeling focused. Stuck in what I call the “hamster wheel syndrome.” And the hardest part? You won’t even know why.In this episode, we break it down—big time. We dive into the top three foundational elements you need to build, grow, and sustain your freelance grant writing business with clarity and direction. These fundamentals will help you move from scattered effort to strategic action so you can actually see results.And stay tuned—next week, we’ll cover two more essential fundamentals to keep your business moving forward.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.

Are you interested in becoming a better grant writer while gaining real, paid experience—not just volunteering? If you have a background in fields like education, homelessness, climate change, workforce development, tribal work, or more, you may be qualified to become a federal grant reviewer.In this episode, I’m joined by two of my amazing Changemaker Members, Christine Taylor and Jennifer Mitsch, who share their journeys into becoming federal grant reviewers. We dive into what the grant review process looks like, what it takes to get started, and how this experience can dramatically improve your skills as a grant writer.We also pull back the curtain on how proposals are scored, common mistakes reviewers catch, and why following scoring criteria is critical. Plus, we talk about how reviewers get paid, how freelancers can leverage this experience to land more clients, and even how you can position yourself to step into this role—yes, even if you’ve never done it before.ABOUT OUR GUESTSChristine Taylor and Jennifer Mitsch are experienced grant professionals and Changemaker Members who have successfully become federal grant reviewers. They bring firsthand insights into the review process and share practical strategies for grant writers looking to strengthen their skills and expand their opportunities.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.

If you are a nonprofit leader, freelance grant writer, or nonprofit consultant then you know that the role and efficiency of a healthy board of directors is vital for nonprofit health!That’s why I brought Sean Kosofsky from Nonprofit Fixer on the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to share with you how to improve a nonprofit’s board of directors.If you resonate with not knowing how to ask your board to contribute financially, what their expectations are of showing up, or how they can be the most effective, then this episode is for you!Also, we talk about how freelance grant writers and nonprofit consultants can add a board of director training to their services and how this can help nonprofits get MORE funding.This is a must-listen!About Sean KosofskySean Kosofsky is the NonProfit Fixer! He has worked in nonprofits for more than 27 years, including as executive director for five organizations. He has worked in policy, communications, grassroots advocacy, direct service, development, management and served on numerous boards. He has raised millions of dollars for causes, candidates, and campaigns. His work has appeared in news stories around the world, and he has offered webinars or blog posts through AFP, Candid, Idealware, Bloomerang, Wild Apricot, and Pamela Grow’s Motivate Mondays.He has worked on a wide range of issues including LGBTQ equality, reproductive justice, voting access, bullying prevention, climate change, and more. He offers coaching, consulting, training and free tools at his website Nonprofitfixer.com.In today’s episode, we discuss the following:How to help recruit, retain, and grow a board of directorsHow a freelancer/consultant can conduct board of directors training for nonprofits as a side income or main incomeSean’s colorful story on why he became involved with nonprofitsHow you can use your passion to do good in the worldHow Sean moved to a new city and started a freelance nonprofit consultancyHow to leverage your relationships in your geographic area to get new leadsWhat freelancers need to focus on that will lead to a full-time hustle jobThe huge space available for nonprofit consultantsHow to test your services to see which ones will sell the mostThe key elements in why a board of directors is inefficient and how to fix it80% of what You do – Recruit, Retain, Remove board membersThe 3 M’s: Members, Meetings, and MoneyThe Board Agreement: How to have a board of directors actually commit to bringing in funding every single yearThe Fundamental Change to Uplevel a Nonprofit: Flipping the Mindset of Board MembersLinks Mentioned From the Episode:How to Build a Rockstar Board Master Course: Click hereFind out more about Sean, get a free consultation, or see FREE resources at: nonprofitfixer.comWant more training from Sean on nonprofit board hacks?Click here to get “Build a Rockstar Board” and build a board that raises money, does their job, and builds power!Imagine having a sophisticated board that is the envy of every other nonprofit.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/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.

Why is this important? Well, it’ll do the following things for you Freelance Grant Writers and Nonprofit Consultants: • Create relationships on and offline • Develop & nurture warm leads • Give you a plan of how to start the pitch discussion Okay, I am going to outline the 3 Essential Steps for Freelance Grant Writers to Pitch Services #1: Reframe Your Thinking from When Do I Ask for Money to What Problems Do I Solve? #2: Create / Share Valuable Content that Solves the Problems #3: Implement the “Give, Give, Give, Ask” Approach If you have any questions, feel free to email [email protected] I’d love to connect with you! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzIfwJt0az9KKwKz1Uc8vg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyrustick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-rustick-0765b817/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick Expert Grant Writer & Bestselling Author

✨✨ Visit www.grantwritingandfunding.com to your Freelance Grant Writer: 6 Weeks to Summer Success Toolkit! ✨✨ I know, I know, many of us still have our kids at home this summer as summer programs are still closed (ahem), and we may be burned out with being on our screens all the time. I get it. You need something tangible that you can do today that will move your business forward and pick up some serious momentum. The “Work Smarter, Not Harder’ adage could never be truer than right now. So first let’s cover what reading this article – and doing the free downloadable – will not do for you. You will not make a million dollars overnight or get 5,000 clients in 15 minutes. But here’s what it can do for you: ✨ Be the gamechanger that keeps you working in your business this summer ✨ Give you the confidence to take it up a notch ✨ Provide guidelines that relieve your stress and that looming monster in the back of your mind called procrastination Get the Toolkit here: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-six-weeks-to-summer-success-toolkit/ If you have any questions, feel free to email [email protected] I’d love to connect with you! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzIfwJt0az9KKwKz1Uc8vg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyrustick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-rustick-0765b817/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick Expert Grant Writer & Bestselling Author

✨✨ Visit www.grantwritingandfunding.com to get the proven G.R.A.N.T.S. formula to write winning grants ✨✨ If you are a freelance grant writer / nonprofit consultant: ● You might be paralyzed with going after funding because you just aren’t sure what to do. ● You might not want to pitch your services because you are nervous asking nonprofits for money right now. ● You aren’t sure what types of grants and funding are available. If you are a nonprofit leader or development coordinator: • You might have put off applying for grants because you aren’t sure what projects you want funded • You might have been focused on getting PPP and CARES Act funding and put the grants to the side. • You might just think the Feds aren’t funding regular grant programs right now. This podcast episode will address all these three items and you will learn the following: • The current grant environment • Where to find grants • Why charging clients is acceptable or if you are a nonprofit how to pay for help This will help you to be competitive in the current funding arena and gain new clients if you are a freelance grant writer or nonprofit consultant, or help you stand out in the crowd and move forward in sustainable funding if you are a nonprofit leader. If you have any questions, feel free to email [email protected] I’d love to connect with you! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzIfwJt0az9KKwKz1Uc8vg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyrustick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-rustick-0765b817/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick Expert Grant Writer & Bestselling Author

This week’s episode continues our Nonprofit Strategic Planning series—and it comes at the perfect time. We’re halfway through the year, which makes this the ideal moment to pause, reflect, and get clear on your strategy moving forward.If you’re looking to strengthen your leadership skills or you’re a consultant (or aspiring one) wanting to expand your services into strategic planning, this episode is for you.Joining me is Samantha Taitano, Executive Director of Mañe’lu (formerly Big Brothers Big Sisters of Guam), who shares practical and powerful insights on how to rethink fundraising and grow your nonprofit’s impact.In our conversation, Samantha dives into strategic planning tips, time management for productivity, and creative fundraising pivots that nonprofits can implement right now. We also explore how to build a strong and committed board of directors, why tracking your social media data matters more than just posting content, and how to choose the right platforms for your organization.Additionally, we discuss branding, hosting effective strategic planning retreats, navigating HR challenges while wearing multiple hats in a small nonprofit, and why now is a great time to apply for grants with potentially less competition.Samantha also shares her experience transitioning an organization from a national nonprofit model to a locally driven one—along with lessons learned along the way.If you’re ready to get focused, strategic, and creative with your nonprofit planning and fundraising, this episode is packed with actionable insights.ABOUT OUR GUESTSamantha Taitano is the Executive Director of Mañe’lu, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and educating youth and families to create positive change in their lives. Since joining the organization in 2018, she has successfully led its transformation and rebranding from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Guam to Mañe’lu.Samantha has secured over $500,000 in grant funding, enabling the expansion of programs and services across the organization. Her background includes community development work with the Peace Corps in South Africa, where she supported rural communities, as well as experience in the private sector developing IT solutions.She is passionate about strengthening local communities, building organizational capacity, and integrating innovative strategies into nonprofit leadership. In her free time, she enjoys connecting with her island home of Guam and exploring new destinations.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.

✨✨ Visit www.grantwritingandfunding.com to get the proven G.R.A.N.T.S. formula to write winning grants ✨✨ Are you ready to make all your 2020 goals happen during the next six months? Or are you still trying to figure out how to survive during the pandemic? If you are either a nonprofit leader, staff, or volunteer and are trying to move the needle forward on your nonprofit OR if you are an aspiring freelance consultant and are stuck in overwhelm then this podcast and article is for you! Just imagine how much more accomplished you will feel having the steps to create a plan that will work. These 10 steps can be down internally in your nonprofit or business OR if you are a freelance grant writer or nonprofit consultant can be learned services you can offer! So if you want to make a huge difference in ending the cycle of stressing out about not having enough time, not securing the funding you need, and having real burnout and instead you want to feel in control of your life, have a higher quality of life, and have a plan that brings in real financial results, then this is for you. If you want to go WAY more into depth, get downloadables and checklists, and MORE, then get the Nonprofit Strategic Planning Master Course. If you get it by June 30th you get $100 off the price! As a grant writer, you know that all nonprofits are not able to go for grants all the time or that they could improve their projects. Thus, this episode will give you skills to do each of these 10 steps as a stand-alone service for nonprofits or you can do them all as an overall package. In any case, this is another way to multiply your streams of income. Check out www.grantwritingandfunding.com/126. If you have any questions, feel free to email [email protected] I’d love to connect with you! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzIfwJt0az9KKwKz1Uc8vg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyrustick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-rustick-0765b817/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick Expert Grant Writer & Bestselling Author

✨✨ Visit www.grantwritingandfunding.com to get the proven G.R.A.N.T.S. formula to write winning grants ✨✨ Being stuck in decision paralysis is real. This might be because you have made the 'wrong' decision before or you aren't sure about the future and how it will all turn out. Honestly, either of those reasons feeds into your decision paralysis, but digging a layer deeper is more important and effective. It's knowing not just what your values are, but in what order you follow your values. For the month of June, I am giving you some amaze-balls strategic planning action steps to follow. Last week I shared the 4 Reasons to Expand (Not Grow) Your Nonprofit or Freelance Consultancy. We will continue how to not just survive the pandemic, but how to thrive utilizing basic action steps. Keep listening if you resonate with one of the following: Nonprofit Leaders and Freelance Consultants: This is for you if: ✔ You are not sure where to even start with pivoting your organization in the new normal ✔ You take on projects sometimes that you want to avoid completing and aren’t sure why ✔ You have a really hard time making decisions As we follow through on the series this month, we are doing to discuss how to know when to cut your expenses in order how to expand. For this podcast, you will learn how to do the following: 1. List all of your values for your nonprofit or business 2. Evaluate them and see if they really are the main values Brainstorm new values (check out www.grantwritingandfunding.com/125 for more ideas) Read them out loud and see if they are action words and have emotional meaning for you 3. Prioritize your values 4. Look at your products / services and see if there is something that is not congruent with your values and needs to be strategized or cut. If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on iTunes! I’d love to hear your thoughts and this helps others find the podcast and get value to help their nonprofits or freelance consultancies expand. I’d love to connect with you! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzIfwJt0az9KKwKz1Uc8vg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyrustick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-rustick-0765b817/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick Expert Grant Writer & Bestselling Author

✨✨ Visit www.grantwritingandfunding.com to get the proven G.R.A.N.T.S. formula to write winning grants ✨✨ Just what is the difference between growth and expansion, and why should I think about this half-way through 2020? One of the best ways I have heard the difference is: “Growth is doing the same thing bigger. Expansion is using the current platform to develop other areas of business.” However, I’d like for you to think of expanding also as a mindset and as an action. The way I am talking about expanding here is the opposite of constricting. Expanding is key. Therefore… Nonprofit Leaders: This podcast is for you if: ✔️ You are not sure where to even start with pivoting your nonprofit in the new normal ✔️ You do in-person events and fundraisers and now need a different way to get income ✔️ You are overwhelmed by putting out virtual fires every day instead of focusing on GROWTH for your nonprofit Freelance Consultants: This is for you if: ✔️ You aren’t sure if you should close the shop ✔️ You need to figure out a new way to get clients ✔️ Your expenses overwhelm your income So if you want to move forward and expand your nonprofit or your consultancy, but just aren’t sure how to do that, this podcast is for you. Press play… If you have any questions, feel free to email [email protected] I’d love to connect with you! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzIfwJt0az9KKwKz1Uc8vg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyrustick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-rustick-0765b817/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick Expert Grant Writer & Bestselling Author

In this special behind-the-scenes episode from the Open Kimono series, Holly Rustick is interviewed by Dr. James Pann to share her journey and insights into building a successful grant writing consultancy. This episode is perfect for aspiring and established consultants alike who want to sharpen their grant writing skills and grow their business with real-world lessons. Together, they dive into how Holly got started in grant writing, why conducting a Needs and Strengths Assessment is essential, and what led her to launch her own company. They also discuss where to find grants, how to set realistic expectations with nonprofit clients, and what to communicate when funding isn’t awarded. Holly shares lessons learned from podcasting, the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, and how to use tools like the G.R.A.N.T.S. formula to get started with writing proposals. The conversation also highlights why becoming a grant reviewer can strengthen your skills, resources for new grant writers, and how platforms like Instagram can help you build meaningful professional connections.ABOUT OUR GUESTDr. James Pann, Ph.D., is an educator, interviewer, and thought leader who brings insightful conversations to the nonprofit and professional development space. Through his work, he highlights the journeys and expertise of leaders, helping audiences gain practical strategies and inspiration for growth. His engaging interview style draws out actionable insights that support both aspiring and experienced professionals.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.

Jenni Hargrove joins us to share what foundations are really looking for when deciding to fund your nonprofit and how you can better position your organization for success. She breaks down key insights into funder expectations, along with practical strategies for improving your nonprofit’s visibility through Search Engine Optimization (SEO) so you can rank higher in Google search results. We also explore how to easily host online auctions as a fundraising strategy, giving nonprofits additional tools to diversify revenue and increase engagement.ABOUT OUR GUESTJenni Hargrove is a nonprofit consultant and fundraising strategist who specializes in helping organizations increase their visibility, strengthen their funding strategies, and leverage digital tools for growth. With expertise in foundation funding, SEO, and online fundraising, Jenni supports nonprofits in building sustainable revenue streams and expanding their reach in an increasingly digital world.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.

✨✨ Visit www.grantwritingandfunding.com to get the proven G.R.A.N.T.S. formula to write winning grants ✨✨ This week my project manager and I are taking you behind the scenes of Grant Writing & Funding to share with you how we’re pivoting in light of Covid-19. We also share our favorite systems for running online businesses. If you have any questions, feel free to email [email protected] I’d love to connect with you! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzIfwJt0az9KKwKz1Uc8vg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyrustick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wego-grants/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick

As we’ve navigated through the pandemic and into a more digital world, one thing is clear—online engagement and fundraising are here to stay.And if you’re like many nonprofit leaders, you might be thinking: I need to learn everything about online marketing and invest all my resources into it.But what if it didn’t have to be that complicated?In this episode, Brady Josephson joins us to share a simpler, more effective approach to online fundraising for nonprofits. Instead of overwhelming strategies, Brady breaks things down into practical steps you can take right now to strengthen your online presence, connect with your audience, and increase donations. We talk about how to focus your efforts, avoid common pitfalls, and create meaningful engagement without burning out your team or your budget.If you’re ready to simplify your digital fundraising strategy while still seeing results, this episode is a must-listen.ABOUT OUR GUESTBrady Josephson is a nonprofit marketing and fundraising expert known for helping organizations grow their impact through simple, effective digital strategies. He has worked with leading nonprofit organizations to improve online fundraising, donor engagement, and marketing performance.Brady is passionate about cutting through the noise of complex marketing tactics and helping nonprofits focus on what truly works to build relationships and drive sustainable 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.

If you’re a grant writer—or aspiring to become one—especially during times of uncertainty, you probably have a lot of questions. That’s exactly why we brought two powerhouse experts, Dr. Beverly Browning and Rodney Walker, together for a live, virtual Q&A session to tackle some of the most common (and real) challenges grant writers face.In this episode, we dive into lessons learned from failed grant applications, recommendations on grant writing certifications, and how to navigate the ups and downs of client workload—from having too few clients to suddenly being overwhelmed.We also explore practical advice for beginners just entering the grant world, including how to build credibility with limited experience and how to confidently demonstrate your value to potential clients or employers. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to stabilize and grow your grant writing business, this episode is packed with honest insights and expert guidance.ABOUT OUR GUESTSDr. Beverly A. Browning is a nationally recognized grant writing expert, author, and trainer with decades of experience helping nonprofits secure funding and build sustainable programs. She is the author of multiple books on grant writing, including Grant Writing for Dummies, and has trained thousands of nonprofit professionals across the United States. Dr. Browning is known for her practical, results-driven approach to grant writing and funding strategy.Rodney Walker is the President of Grant Central USA, an internationally recognized grant development training firm that helps organizations secure six- and seven-figure grants. He leads a network of licensed trainers who deliver one of today’s leading systems in grant development. Rodney is passionate about helping organizations streamline their grant processes and significantly reduce the time it takes to secure 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.

This is an extra-special episode! I hope you enjoy listening to this dynamic panel of grant writing experts, including Rodney Walker of Grant Central USA, Dr. Beverly Browning, author of Grant Writing for Dummies, and Holly Rustick.Together, they bring a broad range of experience and insights from across the grant writing field, sharing perspectives, lessons learned, and expert advice to help you strengthen your grant writing skills and approach.ABOUT OUR GUESTSRodney Walker is the founder of Grant Central USA, supporting nonprofits and organizations in securing funding and building strong grant strategies.Dr. Beverly Browning is the author of Grant Writing for Dummies and a nationally recognized expert in grant writing and nonprofit funding strategies. She has helped thousands of organizations improve their grant success rates through her trainings and resources.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.

Sarah Olivieri joins us to discuss how nonprofits can increase productivity and strengthen their operations during times of uncertainty, including the challenges brought on by Covid-19. She shares insights on whether nonprofits should pursue CARES Act funding, how to plan spending to not only survive but thrive, and ways to expand and engage your donor base. We also explore what it truly means to pivot operations, the eight key areas of nonprofit operations, strategies for building resilience, the importance of networking and relationship-building during a crisis, and why taking calculated risks can be essential for growth.ABOUT OUR GUESTSarah Olivieri is the founder of PivotGround, where she helps nonprofit leaders improve their organizations through stronger operations, strategic planning, and leadership development. With a background in nonprofit management and business strategy, Sarah specializes in helping organizations become more efficient, sustainable, and impactful. She is known for her practical frameworks that empower nonprofits to scale their work, adapt to change, and lead with clarity.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.

✨✨ Visit www.grantwritingandfunding.com to get the proven G.R.A.N.T.S. formula to write winning grants ✨✨ I know that nonprofits are struggling right now because of event cancellations and all of the changes that come from the circumstances of Covid-19. As we move forward in this unstable time, we can find peace and calmness in the things we can control, and much needed relief in letting go of the things we can’t control. I am here with encouragement! There’s actually a huge influx of grant funding at this point in time. The federal government in the United States as well as foundations and corporations have acknowledged the overwhelming need for organizations and small business, and they are releasing funding streams. Get a 50% discount on ALL of my online course thru April 30th! If you have any questions, feel free to email [email protected] I’d love to connect with you! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzIfwJt0az9KKwKz1Uc8vg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyrustick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wego-grants/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick

✨✨ Visit www.grantwritingandfunding.com to get the proven G.R.A.N.T.S. formula to write winning grants ✨✨ Oftentimes, freelance grant writers and nonprofit consultants think they are ready to go. They have their packages, they know their mission and vision, and they have a functional website and followers on LinkedIn, but they are hearing crickets. In this podcast, I am going to give you the first step for getting more clients. It’s probably not going to be what you think. But it’s really the most important step. If you have any questions, feel free to email [email protected] I’d love to connect with you! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzIfwJt0az9KKwKz1Uc8vg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyrustick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wego-grants/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick

I often get emails from people asking about grants in Europe. Although I have worked on international grants before, that is not my forte.So I was super pleased when Geir Sand Nilsen reached out to me to discuss the challenges and solutions of European grants. This goes for grants for businesses, grant writers, and nonprofits.In this podcast, Geir and I discuss:Challenges of EU grantsNavigation is a messEU is a union with many different languages and cultures so it is difficult to organize a central place for grant researchIt’s a partner’s game. You need intra-country partners for many grantsLocal help. Your country needs to have money to fund the grantsIn the end, it’s about EuropeAbout Geir Sand NilsenGeir Sand Nilsen is a Norwegian-based serial tech entrepreneur and thought leader. He has experience from a wide range of industries including app development, mobile marketing, social media, chatbots, and educational technology. For his ventures, Geir has raised both public grants and private funding from the Nordics, EU, Singapore and the US. In his newest venture, mrgrants.com, Geir will use technology to make life easier for all grant writers in the EU.Connect with Geir:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geirsandTwitter: https://twitter.com/geirsandGeir’s Top Quotes:“My nature is finding money to build the dreams. Now I just want to go back and do this a lot, and help others do the same thing.”“Building a business that scales always comes down to understanding people.”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/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 sits down with Ashia Stevens to discuss how to strengthen your nonprofit from the inside out by building a committed board, increasing product-based revenue, and organizing impactful fundraisers. Ashia shares how her passion for animals led her to create a growing nonprofit and the strategies she’s used to expand its reach and sustainability. The conversation dives into practical ways to engage board members more effectively, develop income streams through product sales, and plan fundraisers that not only bring in revenue but also build community support. Whether you're looking to energize your leadership team or diversify your funding, this episode offers actionable insights to help your nonprofit thrive.ABOUT OUR GUESTAshia Stevens is the founder of a mission-driven animal nonprofit, where she has turned her passion for helping animals into a growing and impactful organization. With hands-on experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and community engagement, Ashia focuses on building strong boards, creating sustainable revenue streams through product sales, and organizing successful fundraising events. Her work is rooted in compassion, innovation, and a deep commitment to making a difference.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.

Do you know the difference between research and evaluation? Or how to clearly explain what a logic model is used for? These may seem like small distinctions, but they can make a major impact in grant writing.In many grant applications, the evaluation section alone can be worth up to 30 points—and with competitive grants often requiring scores of 93 or higher, getting this right is critical. In this episode, Dr. James Pann joins us to break down the differences between research and evaluation, explain the purpose of a logic model, and share insights on how to find the right expert to support your evaluation section.ABOUT OUR GUESTDr. James Pann is an expert in evaluation and research, helping organizations design strong evaluation frameworks and clearly communicate impact within grant 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.

✨✨ Visit www.grantwritingandfunding.com to get the proven G.R.A.N.T.S. formula to write winning grants ✨✨ The nonprofits you work with (or the nonprofit you work at) need to not only look at grants, but also other funding sources. Yes, grants can be awesome, but the fiscal health of a nonprofit should not be fully reliant on grants. Get your FREE checklist at https://grantwritingandfunding.com/111 If you have any questions, feel free to email [email protected] I’d love to connect with you! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzIfwJt0az9KKwKz1Uc8vg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyrustick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wego-grants/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick

Vu Le of Nonprofit AF discusses grant writing challengesI met Vu Le at the Grant Writing Professionals conference in D.C. We talked after his wonderful keynote. I love his fresh outlook on the grant process and progressive nonprofits!About Vu LeVu Le (“voo lay”) is a writer, speaker, vegan, Pisces, and the former Executive Director of RVC, a nonprofit in Seattle that promotes social justice by developing leaders of color, strengthening organizations led by communities of color, and fostering collaboration between diverse communities.Vu’s passion to make the world better, combined with a low score on the Law School Admission Test, drove him into the field of nonprofit work, where he learned that we should take the work seriously, but not ourselves. There’s tons of humor in the nonprofit world, and someone needs to document it. He is going to do that, with the hope that one day, a TV producer will see how cool and interesting our field is and make a show about nonprofit work, featuring attractive actors attending strategic planning meetings and filing 990 tax forms.Known for his no-BS approach, irreverent sense of humor, and love of unicorns, Vu has been featured in dozens, if not hundreds, of his own blog posts at NonprofitAF.com, formerly nonprofitwithballs.com.Connect with Vu:Website: https://nonprofitaf.com/Nonprofit: https://rvcseattle.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nonprofitAF/Twitter: twitter.com/NonprofitAFOTHER 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.

I’m going to walk you through the outline of how to write a grant in 15 minutes. For some of you, this will be a reminder. But my goal is that you walk away from this podcast having learned at least one new thing!I’ve had different grant writing courses on various platforms, I teach it in universities, and I have even written a book on grant writing, The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing: Tips, Tools, & Templates to Write Winning Grants which hit #1 in 10 categories on Amazon. Thanks to all of you who are on my Advanced Reader Team!But my goal today is to give you a basic bootcamp on grants so you can either refresh your memory, or find out if you are truly interested in grant writing.So, let’s get to it! I am going to use the basis of my G.R.A.N.T.S. Formula to really showcase the grant process. I do have more podcasts that go into depth for each of these categories, but once again this week’s goal is to give you all the candy in one bite and still be able to chew it.G: Get the FOA. For any type of grant you want to make sure that you gather the Funding Opportunity Announcement or Request for Proposal or the application. Read it so you are sure that:You meet the eligibility — i.e. Maybe you have to be an IRS 501(c)3 nonprofit to be eligible, but you’re still only thinking about forming a nonprofit. In this case you aren’t eligible.You know what the funding priorities are — If the funding source is focused on giving money out for projects that preserve marine life and you have a financial literacy project, then that isn’t aligned with the priority.There is enough money to meet your project — Don’t think that $5,000 is going to fund your need for $750,000. However, it could fund a part of it.You can meet the deadline — If it’s in a week and you haven’t started you may think of preparing better for the next cycle.You understand the application process and scoring criteria — What you actually need to write and include.R: Research the Needs & Target PopulationDo the research. It is not enough that there is a ‘need’ for the project. How do you know there is a need? Include actual statistics, data, testimonials, surveys, focus group information, or other resources to actually cite the need. Once you have this data, then come up with very clear problems, such as “According to the Cool Census in 2019, 54% of the indigenous people compared to only 21% of Caucasians live below the national poverty threshold in Cool City.” This creates a stronger argument than “A lot of indigenous people are poor in Cool City.”Additionally, who are you serving? If you say, “We are going to serve people in Cool City,” that is not very clear. It is much more clear if you show your niche target population: “The Project will serve Indigenous people below the poverty level in Cool City.” A: Articulate the GoalA goal is essential in a grant. Remember this is your big audacious outcome. You are reaching to achieve this! Think of it as being the outcome after implementation and funding. What do you want to achieve?Example: “The project goal is to increase employment of Indigenous People in Cool City by 20%. N: Narrow the ObjectivesThe Objectives are how you reach your goal. Typically grant applications do not want more than three objectives per year. However, this isn’t set in stone. Objectives need to be SMART — Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timebound. So always ask yourself if your objectives meet each of these.Example: “By the end of year one, the Project will provide workforce training for 50% (1,000) Indigenous people in Cool City.”It is specific because it tells you what it will specifically do: i.e. workforce trainingIt is measurable because it identifies how many people it will serve: 1,000 Indigenous people.It is achievable because you are set up to provide workforce training and have partners with the target demographic.It is relevant because it relates back to the need (i.e. high unemployment rates) and the goal (increase in employment).It is timebound because you will serve 1,000 people by the end of year one.T: Timetable the ActivitiesOkay, let’s peel the onion back one more layer. The objectives allow you to reach your goal, but the activities allow you to reach your objectives. Under each objective you need to provide tangible activities, along with who is responsible for each activity and when they will get it down. Example: In order to meet our objective of “By the end of year one, the Project will provide workforce training for 50% (1,000) Indigenous people in Cool City,” you will want to have various activities. Activity 1) The program coordinator will sign MOUs with 10 partners in the community by the end of month two. Activity 2) The program coordinator will provide outreach and awareness of the workforce program by creating fliers, social media posts, and a website page for the project by the end of month two.You can see how activities can be happening simultaneously and get more into the nitty

Dr. Bev Browning is the person everyone knows in the grant writing world. She is the author of 43 grant-related publications, including six editions (over 1 million books sold) of Grant Writing For Dummies™. Dr. Browning shared with me that she first started writing grants back in the 1970s. She’s been doing this for half a century and tells all on how grant writing has changed and how you as a freelance consultant can keep up with all those changes and trends. About Dr. Beverly A. Browning:Dr. Beverly A. Browning has been consulting in the areas of grant writing, RFP responses, technical writing, and organizational development for over four decades. She has assisted clients and workshop participants throughout the United States in receiving awards of more than $500 million. Dr. Browning is the author of 43 grant-related publications, including six editions (over 1 million books sold) of Grant Writing For Dummies™ (Wiley.com). She is also an international trainer and keynote speaker. In 2015, she was selected by the Centers for Disease Control NICRD division to conduct a five-day Grant Writing Boot Camp in South Africa for ministers of health and other top-level health directors from 23 African countries.Dr. Browning holds graduate and post-graduate degrees in Organizational Development, Public Administration, and Business Administration. She has been a grant writing course developer and online facilitator for Cengage Learning (www.ed2go.com) for 17 years. Her online courses (taught to thousands of students annually) are Advanced Proposal Writing, Becoming a Grant Writing Consultant, and A to Z Grant Writing: Part 2 – Beyond the Basics.Dr. Browning is Founder and Director of the Grant Writing Training Foundation and CEO for Bev Browning, LLC. She was a 17-year member of the Grant Professionals Association (GPA) and has presented training workshops and keynote presentations for multiple GPA chapters U.S.-wide. In 2017, Dr. Browning joined the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and was a workshop presenter at their 2018 International conference in New Orleans. She is an approved trainer for GPA and CFRE International.Dr. Browning has been married 53 years to John and has one daughter, Lara, a licensed therapist, and a special needs granddaughter, Aaliyah.Connect with Dr. Beverly:To find out more about Dr. Bev, check out http://bevbrowning.com/Or find her on LinkedIn where she facilitates a group at https://www.linkedin.com/in/bevbrowning/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/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.

If you are tired of tracking grants in Excel sheets or jumping around on Google and constantly missing out on deadlines, then Instrumentl might be what you are looking for. I met Angela in November 2019 at the Grant Professionals Association annual conference. After she showed me some of what Instrumentl can do, I asked her to be on the podcast! Eek, it was like she was reading my grant writing mind of how I want grant research presented. But what really intrigued me is that Instrumentl is a women-owned business, developed by women who actually worked in the nonprofit arena and faced some of the same overwhelming issues in grant research as all of us changemakers. Then they coupled with (ahem) another woman in the tech industry to work grant research magic. Love it! Angela's Bio:Writing, winning & awarding grants for 14 yearsStarted as a grant writer/jill-of-all-trades at an environmental nonprofit after college and most recently at the Global Fund for Women in San Francisco.Lead Instrumentl building what she wishes she had when she was a fundraiser. When she’s not thinking about grants she’s either at yoga, on a hike or hanging out with her two calico rescue cats, Bella and Possum.Connect with Instrumentl:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Instrumentl/Twitter: https://twitter.com/beinstrumentlOTHER 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.

Have you ever wondered how your mindset around money is shaping your success?In this episode, Sean Croxton—an expert in money mindset—dives deep into how our beliefs about money are formed and how they influence our decisions, behaviors, and outcomes.Having followed Sean’s work for years, Holly shares how impactful his teachings have been—not just from a motivational standpoint, but from a practical, science-backed perspective.Sean breaks down money mindset in a way that’s not “woo-woo,” but grounded in how the brain actually works. We explore how past experiences shape your current financial beliefs, how those beliefs can either limit or expand your opportunities, and what it takes to start rewiring your thinking.This conversation goes beyond surface-level advice and gets into the psychology behind behavior change—helping you understand why you think the way you do and how to shift it.If you’re ready to break through limiting beliefs and build a healthier, more empowered relationship with money, this episode is a must-listen.ABOUT OUR GUESTSean Croxton is a leading expert in personal development and money mindset, known for helping individuals transform their thinking to achieve greater success and fulfillment. He is the host of the top-ranked podcast Quote of the Day and has built a global audience through his work in health, wellness, and mindset coaching.Through his teachings, Sean combines science-backed principles with practical strategies to help people rewire limiting beliefs, improve habits, and create lasting change in both their personal and professional lives.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.

Get ready for 2020 with some strategic planning!

Hey Changemakers! It's our last episode of the decade so here's a mashup of our top 4 most listened to episodes including 2 great interviews! Happy New Year!

Grant Writing CertificationOne of the most common questions I hear is “Should I become a certified grant writer?” Well, the answer is different for everyone! That’s why we walk you through all the ins and outs of certification in this episode.“I may not write grant proposals or manage grant funds, but I want to make sure that grant professionals everywhere have the tools and resources so that they can make those impacts on their communities.” – Mike ChamberlainMike and I discuss:How Mike got involved with grants and became an entrepreneurGetting started as an independent contractor or freelancerDeveloping a business plan for yourselfDifferent tasks you can help a nonprofit withNetworking resources for grant writersTypes of grant writing certificationsShould you become a certified grant writer?How long it takes to become certifiedThe cost to become certifiedThe GPA community where you can find your tribeMike’s Bio:Mike Chamberlain is an association executive with over 30 years of leadership experience with for profit and not for profit organizations, including national and international associations.Mike grew up in Omaha Nebraska with his parents Al and Cindy Chamberlain and his two younger sisters. He enjoyed camping and other outdoor activities as a Boy Scout, ultimately earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Mike graduated from Creighton Prep High School and moved to Kansas City to attend Rockhurst University. At Rockhurst University, Mike earned an undergraduate degree in Marketing/Management and he met the love of his life, his wife Jackie. Mike and Jackie made their home in the Kansas City area after graduation. Jackie is a professional artist and a member of Summit Art in Lees Summit, Missouri.Mike enjoys all forms of exercise and is an age group triathlete with a dream of completing an IronMan® distance triathlon. Mike’s hobbies include woodworking, home improvement projects, being a Nebraska Football fan and reading.Mike and his wife Jackie share their home in Lees Summit with their dog Rifkin.Mike is a Certified Association Executive. He has been active in several local associations, serving on the boards of the Greater Kansas City Postal Customer Council, Kansas City Meetings Industry Council, and the Kansas City Society of Association Executives, serving as President of KCSAE in 2008-2009. He is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the American Society of Association Executives.Mike has been a speaker at the Professional Convention Management Association annual convention and at the American Society of Association Executives Annual Conference.Resources from this episode:GPA: https://www.grantprofessionals.orgGPCI: https://www.grantcredential.orgOTHER 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.

If you think you don’t know enough to write a book—this episode will completely change your mind. As Honoree Corder says, “Turn the volume up on the voice of possibility.”In this inspiring conversation, we explore how writing a book can open doors you never imagined—from building authority to creating multiple income streams. Honoree shares her journey of writing (now 50+ books!) and how becoming a published author transformed her life and business. We dive into how books can lead to speaking opportunities, consulting clients, and long-term business growth.You’ll also learn about the different ways to generate income as an entrepreneur, including how writing can become a foundational asset in your business model.We cover practical tips for getting paid to speak, the pros and cons of traditional vs. self-publishing, and how to start developing your business—even if you feel like you don’t have enough experience yet. If you’ve ever thought about writing a book or expanding your impact, this episode will show you what’s possible.ABOUT OUR GUESTHonoree Corder is a bestselling author, publishing strategist, and business coach who has written more than 50 books and helped countless entrepreneurs become published authors. She specializes in helping professionals turn their ideas into books that build authority, generate income, and create new opportunities for speaking, consulting, and business growth.Honoree is passionate about empowering others to share their message, expand their influence, and create multiple streams of income through writing and entrepreneurship.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.