Jill Turner explains how to make writing grants a full-time job, the benefits of having systems in your grant writing, and how to properly price your grant writing services. Jill Turner was based in northern Idaho and got into grant writing after being asked to help some friends while in grad school. After writing grants as a side hustle, Jill turned it into a full-time business in less than a year, tripling her income and working with clients nationally and internationally. Jill joins us to dis...
Jun 06, 2023•35 min•Ep. 274
As a panel we discuss the benefits of using Grant Easy Management Software , how it makes working with non-profits more efficient, and the different ways it helps you analyze data faster. As you write more grants the amount of time you spend tracking grants and analyzing data increases to a point where it can seem impossible to scale any further. Grant Easy Management Software can help optimize grant writing and make working with non-profits more efficient and productive. We’re joined by a team ...
May 30, 2023•52 min•Ep. 273
This episode, Holly explains the problems with paying grant writers commission, the reasons why nonprofits miss out on funding, and how nonprofits should pay freelance grant writers. Nonprofits often think that paying freelance grant writers on a commission basis is a win-win, but this could not be further from the truth. Not only is paying grant writers a commission unethical and against industry best practices, but there are also some pretty serious legality issues. This episode, Holly explain...
May 23, 2023•19 min•Ep. 272
In this episode, Holly Rustick breaks down why becoming a freelance grant writer—even during a recession—is not only viable, but a strategic opportunity. She explains the key benefits of freelancing, including the ability to adjust your rates, services, and client base in response to economic changes, unlike traditional employees with fixed salaries. Holly dives into how freelance grant writers actually make money, how many clients are typically needed to sustain a business, and how competitive ...
May 16, 2023•27 min•Ep. 271
This episode, Holly explains how to write a budget for a grant, the math grant writers need to understand, and the different categories to include in a budget. The budget can seem like the scariest part of writing a grant for people who get into writing grants. Why? Because the typical grant writer considers themselves more of a writer than a mathematician. But as a grant writer, you will master both writing and math. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be CPA or have taken calculus! Fortunately, a g...
May 09, 2023•12 min•Ep. 270
Steve Bollard joins us to break down how grant funding is shifting in 2023 as the sector moves beyond Covid and into a rapidly evolving AI-driven landscape. He shares how the traditional grant application process is being restructured, the increasing barriers and gatekeepers to government funding, and the lasting changes brought on by the pandemic. We also explore how major philanthropic shifts—like MacKenzie Scott’s approach—are influencing the nonprofit sector, alongside growing concerns aroun...
May 02, 2023•48 min•Ep. 269
This episode, Holly explains how to write a goal in a grant, what to include in a grant’s objective, and how to put a task in a grant. The goal of a grant is one of the most important sections of a grant application and is usually where you’ll get the most points. But what should you include in the goal section of a grant? How should you structure it? And how ambitious should you be? This episode, Holly explains why this section is so important, how to write a goal in a grant, and everything you...
Apr 25, 2023•12 min•Ep. 268
Navigating funding for educational programs can feel overwhelming, especially when it’s unclear where to find the right opportunities or how to apply successfully. In this episode, Holly Rustick sits down with Chiara to break down how nonprofits and schools can access Department of Education grants and tap into the wide range of funding still available. They discuss how to identify the right grant opportunities, which Department of Education funds are currently open for applications, and how to ...
Apr 18, 2023•40 min•Ep. 267
In this episode, Holly Rustick breaks down one of the most critical components of a winning grant proposal—the research section. She explains how this section is evaluated by funders, what specific elements you need to include, and the type of data required to make your proposal competitive. While it can be tempting to rely on emotional storytelling, Holly emphasizes that the research section must be grounded in strong, data-driven evidence to earn points. She shares how to structure your resear...
Apr 11, 2023•11 min•Ep. 266
Feeling overwhelmed by grant proposals? You’re not alone. Many people struggle with where to start, what to include, and how to make sure they don’t miss critical details when writing a grant. In this episode, Holly breaks down how to simplify the process by using grant templates effectively. We dive into how to find and use templates to structure your proposal, how to follow grant instructions correctly, and how to ensure you’re aligning your content with what funders are actually looking for. ...
Apr 04, 2023•17 min•Ep. 265
Starting a nonprofit consultancy is one thing—knowing when and how to grow it is another. Once you’ve established your business and are serving nonprofit clients through services like grant writing, grant management, marketing, strategic planning, fundraising, and more, the next step is figuring out how to scale. But growth comes with big questions: When is the right time to hire or outsource? Should you have a financial cushion in place? How do you evaluate return on investment when expanding y...
Mar 28, 2023•40 min•Ep. 264
Don’t just assume that gender inequity doesn’t exist in your nonprofit organization. Even though women represent 75 percent of people working in nonprofit organizations in the United States, we know that there are leadership positions and pay gaps rampant in nonprofit organizations. However, it’s not all doom and gloom either. There are ways to create gender equity for your nonprofit organization. Here are 15-steps for your nonprofit to create a culture of gender equity. Nonprofit Checklist Step...
Mar 21, 2023•15 min•Ep. 263
Women represent 75 percent of people working in nonprofit organizations in the United States. One might think because they make up such a high percentage of staffing that they would have equal leadership positions and pay compared to their male counterparts. However, research shows that just because women represent a high percentage of positions in the nonprofit sector that there is no equity. Unfortunately, there are a large number of systemic issues tied to this, and we go deeper into this in ...
Mar 14, 2023•10 min•Ep. 262
Freelance grant writing is a female-led industry, with 82 percent of grant professionals surveyed are female. In our definition here, a grant professional is a grant writer that owns their own business. As far as grant writers who work within a nonprofit organization, this percentage is at 67 percent, which is also quite high. Initially what the Global Development Solutions 2022 Pricing Survey found is that female grant professionals are charging more per hour than men. -------------------------...
Mar 07, 2023•14 min•Ep. 261
Every nonprofit leader knows that learning never stops—but with so many books out there, which ones are actually worth your time? Staying ahead of trends, leadership strategies, and innovative thinking can feel overwhelming without a trusted guide. That’s exactly what Nonprofit Jenni brings to this conversation. As the founder of the Overhead Book Club, she curates cutting-edge books specifically for nonprofit leaders. Jenni spends countless hours researching and vetting books to ensure they del...
Feb 28, 2023•48 min•Ep. 260
Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools your nonprofit has—but are you using it effectively? In this episode, we dive into how strategic storytelling and press conferences can elevate your nonprofit’s visibility, credibility, and impact. Nikki R. Jones joins us to share how nonprofits can craft compelling narratives that resonate with their audience, attract media attention, and communicate their mission with clarity and purpose. We explore how to prepare for and execute successful press ...
Feb 21, 2023•49 min•Ep. 259
Sean Kosofsky, the Nonprofit Fixer, comes on the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to discuss how nonprofit organizations can transition into a 4-day workweek. This can help with retaining skilled staff and recruiting new staff (without increasing your budget!). -------------------------------------------------- ✨💌 Get FREE Grant Writing Resources when You Join the Grant Writing Hub Haven: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/get-started/ 👉💰🖥️ Grant Writing Master Course: https://grantwritin...
Feb 14, 2023•40 min•Ep. 258
In this special premiere presentation of Grant Professional Pricing Survey results, Rachel Waterman of Global Development Solutions and Grant Easy Management Systems , delivers the results of an intensive 2022 pricing survey among grant writing professionals. The results identified in "Survey Revealed: What & How Grant Professionals are Pricing Their Services" are very eye-opening! About Rachel Waterman Rachel Waterman has over 25 years of community development and grant writing experience, ...
Feb 07, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 257
Ihor Bauman from Workee comes on the Grant Writing & Funding podcast this week to give you tips to write effective blogs that drive people and donors to your nonprofit or consultancy website. -------------------------------------------------- ✨💌 Get FREE Grant Writing Resources when You Join the Grant Writing Hub Haven: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/get-started/ 👉💰🖥️ Grant Writing Master Course: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-writing-master-course/ 🖥️🔥 👉 Want to get pai...
Jan 31, 2023•44 min•Ep. 256
In this episode, Holly Rustick sits down with Dr. Rob Harter from the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast and CCPC to discuss how nonprofits can increase their funding and grow sustainably. With over 26 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, Dr. Harter shares practical strategies and insights drawn from decades in the field. Together, they explore three key tips to help organizations expand their funding streams, along with important nonprofit trends to watch. This conversation provides valuable ...
Jan 24, 2023•36 min•Ep. 255
In this episode, we’re diving into how Charity Navigator helps donors make informed giving decisions and how nonprofits can better understand their ratings. I’m joined by Michael Thatcher from Charity Navigator, who breaks down how the platform works—from searching by cause areas and using filters to find aligned organizations, to discovering giving circles and engaging more strategically in philanthropy. We also explore how Charity Navigator operates as a nonprofit, where it secures its revenue...
Jan 17, 2023•52 min•Ep. 254
Every nonprofit organization has a board of directors, but understanding their roles and responsibilities can often feel unclear. While there are widely recognized “10 Best Practices” for nonprofit boards, it raises important questions—who established these standards, and are they truly the most effective? To understand the history behind these practices, Sarah Olivieri from PivotGround joins the Grant Writing & Funding Podcast and YouTube Channel to share a different perspective. Sarah chal...
Jan 10, 2023•57 min•Ep. 253
Pricing grant writing services is a challenge that many freelance grant writers have (and for good reasons). The thing is, a lot of freelance grant writers and nonprofit consultants go with traditional pricing vs. value-based pricing. However, as a freelance grant writer, you are a professional and you should be charging value-based pricing. ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICK Grant Writing & Funding (GWF) has a Global Movement to Secure $1 Billion in Grant Funding for Good and $30 Million in Grant Writing ...
Jan 03, 2023•24 min•Ep. 252
#1: A Grant Writer’s Dream: The System to Build Relationships with Funding Sources #2: How Nonprofits & Freelance Grant Writers Can Leverage the Great Resignation #3: How to Identify What Rates to Charge as a Grant Writer #4: 4 Reasons Why a Grant Writer Cannot Get Paid on Commission #5: Tips for Grant Writers to Work Better With Nonprofits Clients In this power-packed solo episode, Holly Rustick dives into five essential topics every grant writer needs to master to build a sustainable, prof...
Dec 27, 2022•33 min•Ep. 251
In this solo episode, Holly Rustick highlights the most listened-to episodes of 2022 on the Grant Writing & Funding Podcast and why they resonated so strongly with grant writers and nonprofit leaders. From leveraging YouTube to increase donations and understanding bias in the nonprofit sector, to mastering the ASK formula for fundraising, improving donor retention through technology, and designing grassroots education in conflict zones—this episode recaps key insights and strategies that can...
Dec 20, 2022•36 min•Ep. 250
Knowing how to write federal grants is a powerful skill—one that opens the door to significant funding opportunities but also requires a higher level of strategy, time, and precision compared to foundation grants. In this episode, Dr. Cheri Westmoreland, owner of Spirit Excel, joins us to share her decades of experience in federal grant writing and working with nonprofit organizations. We discuss key lessons she’s learned in the field, why having a strong nonprofit strategic plan is essential fo...
Dec 13, 2022•54 min•Ep. 249
In this week’s episode, we explore how niching down in grant writing can actually help you grow your business and attract more nonprofit clients. Instead of limiting opportunities, focusing on a specific type of grant, nonprofit, or cause can position you as an expert and make your services more in demand. I’m joined by Elaina Michaels from Refonte Ventures, who shares how she niched into agriculture-based grants by leveraging her passion for the field—and how that decision has helped expand her...
Dec 06, 2022•48 min•Ep. 248
Saying thank you sometimes feels like a warm, fuzzy thing to do around the holidays. Sometimes those holidays are just the reminders that we need (along with the Netflix Christmas specials) to say the big, "Thank You!" But what if I told you that you could increase your nonprofit organization’s revenue with existing resources just by saying thank you throughout the year? And the best part? You are grateful. You are grateful for your donors. You are grateful for your sponsors. You are grateful fo...
Nov 29, 2022•27 min•Ep. 247
Even if you’re not a Swiftie, you’ve probably heard about the Ticketmaster chaos surrounding Taylor Swift’s ticket sales. And while it might seem like just another tech meltdown, there’s actually a powerful lesson here for your nonprofit or grant writing business. Because moments like these can do one of two things: They can inspire action—or they can create fear. Too often, we focus on everything that could go wrong. We overthink, overanalyze, and ultimately hold ourselves back from launching, ...
Nov 22, 2022•21 min•Ep. 246
Giving Tuesday is one of the biggest fundraising opportunities of the year, but only if you’re prepared. In this episode, Holly breaks down six powerful resources you can start using right now to plan, launch, and maximize your Giving Tuesday campaign. Whether you're a nonprofit leader or a freelance grant writer supporting clients, these tools will help you build momentum, increase donor engagement, and drive more impactful results. You’ll learn how to streamline your campaign strategy, leverag...
Nov 15, 2022•19 min•Ep. 245
