Grant Writing & Funding - podcast cover

Grant Writing & Funding

Quit your toxic nonprofit job and replace your full-time income while writing grants part-time, from home! Join our students in the Freelance Grant Writer Academy to create Financial Stability and Flexibility through writing grants for causes you are passionate about: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy World-renowned grant writing expert and Amazon bestselling author Holly Rustick provides coaching that helps new and experienced grant writers replace their full-time income while writing grants part-time from home (or anywhere they want to live or travel in the world). She coaches changemakers to master grant writing and start to grow 6-figure+ grant writing businesses on part-time hours via her signature group program, “Freelance Grant Writer Academy." As an unapologetic feminist, Holly’s work in coaching female grant writers to master grant writing, find their cause-area niche, and navigate value-based pricing and nonprofit sales is breaking glass ceilings for women all over the world. Every week, she coaches thousands of people through the top-ranking podcast, Grant Writing & Funding, books on grant writing, and inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy. Holly has 20 years of experience in grant writing, and began her freelance grant writing journey back in 2005. While teaching in Kuwait and Indonesia, and then earning a Master’s Degree in International Political Economy in Belgium, Holly saw the light of setting up a virtual-based business in grant writing back in the mid-2000s. Having secured more than $45 million of dollars for nonprofit organizations, and then setting up a multi 6-figure freelance business, Holly has a mission to help female grant writers break out of toxic nonprofit J-O-B-S and create high-level income while freelance grant writing. Inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, students have secured more than $225+ million in grant funding and $4+ million in revenue in their grant writing businesses within two years. To amplify this work, she is past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce and was appointed to the Guam Business Advisory Task Force as an advisor to the first female governor of Guam. Holly lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella. If you are interested in replacing your full-time income while writing grants part-time from home (or from anywhere in the world!) join the Freelance Grant Writer Academy! www.grantwritingandfunding.com.
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Episodes

084: The R in the G.R.A.N.T.S. Formula

The second step for setting up a winning grant structure is "R," Research Needs. I'll teach you exactly how to use research to explain specifically WHY your project is needed. Want a free downloadable CHEAT SHEET and mini, video-series (five day mini video course!)? Visit www.grantwritingandfunding.com and get it NOW. You'll get Holly's proven, step-by-step system that has helped her secured millions of dollars for nonprofits over the last 15 years, as well as eliminate wasted hours as a consult...

Aug 14, 201923 minEp. 84

The G in the G.R.A.N.T.S. Formula

Introducing the G.R.A.N.T.S. Formula – Your Key to Writing Efficient Grants Are you ready to revolutionize your grant writing process? Look no further than the G.R.A.N.T.S. Formula , a proven framework designed to enhance your grant writing skills and create a competitive grant structure. Developed to address the challenges faced by grant writers, this formula will guide you from a blank page to a well-structured grant proposal in no time. Let’s dive into the details of the G.R.A.N.T.S. Formula,...

Aug 07, 201928 minEp. 83

082: How to Submit for IRB and Conduct a Needs & Strengths Assessment w/ Dr. Ellen

Learn about the process of submitting an IRB application with special guest Dr. Deborah Ellen. Dr. Ellen is Assistant Professor of Education at Guam Community College and active member of the Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association and co-chair of newly formed non-profit - Talaya Micronesia. Listen to the podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher or watch on YouTube! To share your thoughts: Send Holly an email at holly@grantwritingandfunding.com To help out the show: Leave an honest revie...

Jul 31, 201941 minEp. 82

081: 7 Reasons to Get IRB Approval and How it Can Make You Money

What is IRB approval? Do I need one as a grant writer? Do I need one before starting my research? All these questions and more answered as Holly discusses the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Listen to the podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher or watch on YouTube! To share your thoughts: Send Holly an email at holly@grantwritingandfunding.com To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help, and I read all of them! Subscribe on iTunes or on YouTube....

Jul 24, 201924 minEp. 81

Ep. 80: 8 Ways to Cite Research for Grants

Learn how to track sources and file them into a stunning bibliography for your grant. We're all about citations and celebrations because it's Holly's Birthday! Head on over to www.grantwritingandfunding.com/80 for your FREE gift! Listen to the podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher or watch on YouTube! To share your thoughts: Send Holly an email at holly@grantwritingandfunding.com To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help, and I read all of the...

Jul 16, 201923 minEp. 80

Social Media Polls Made Easy for Grants

Gathering data is important when supporting grants, connecting with your beneficiaries, providing credibility for your projects, and even understanding what projects to develop. Data can be gathered in a multitude of different ways and as we discussed last week in our re-broadcast for conducting a Needs & Strengths Assessment (episode 78), I discussed methods for Needs & Strengths Assessments to utilize are online surveys, in-person surveys, and focus groups. However, there are some othe...

Jul 10, 201928 minEp. 79

078: Rebroadcast: Needs and Strengths Assessment

Join us as Holly revisits an important topic for nonprofits: Needs and Strengths Assessment! We discuss why your organization needs this research before applying for grants, and how to survey your audience to get the data you need. Listen to the podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher or watch on YouTube! To share your thoughts: Send Holly an email at holly@grantwritingandfunding.com To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help, and I read all of t...

Jul 03, 201935 minEp. 78

077: How to Get Wildly Successful Media for Nonprofits: Tips on How to Write a Press Release

Get the free downloadable on www.grantwritingandfunding.com/77 that includes a template press release, a sample press release, and a podcast audio! As a grant freelancer or nonprofit freelancer, writing press releases can be another stream of income or expanded portfolio that you provide your clients. A great press release to write is when one of your clients wins a grants! Woo-hoo! Send that out to the local press 😊 Listen to the podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher or watch on YouTube! To ...

Jun 26, 201918 minEp. 77

076: 10 Steps to Get Video Comfortable for Your Nonprofit [w/ Downloadable]

Lights, camera, action! Are you ready to be on camera to represent your nonprofit? Join Holly as she shares valuable tips and tricks to being comfortable on video. Check out the podcast blog post on www.grantwritingandfunding.com/76 for a free downloadable that goes with this week's upload. This downloadable will ensure that you are ALWAYS ready before going on camera, whether that's your iPhone or on TV! Listen to the podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher or watch on YouTube! To share your th...

Jun 19, 201928 minEp. 76

075: How to get Nonprofits Noticed [Free PR Checklist]

Join Holly as she discusses public relations with Nikki R. Jones! With 12 years of communication experience, Nikki explains how nonprofits can navigate traditional and new media to create awareness for your organization. Listen to the podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud or Stitcher or watch on YouTube! To share your thoughts: Send Holly an email at holly@grantwritingandfunding.com To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help, and I read all of them! Subs...

Jun 12, 201958 minEp. 75

4 Proven Ways To Get Nonprofit Clients

Are you a freelance grant writer or nonprofit consultant? If you are then you know that one thing you want to know is how to get nonprofit clients! Sure, in the beginning you may have gotten a lot of people asking you to write grants, but how do you know if they will be a good-fit nonprofit client? In order to secure nonprofit clients, freelance grant writers need to understand and do the following: 1) Understand the different types of nonprofits You first need to really identify what types of n...

Jun 05, 201929 minEp. 74

What's Your Grant Success? 5 Reasons This Is Myth

If you are a freelance grant writer , then you probably get asked by potential clients what your grant writing success rate is; i.e.: “What is your grant writing success rate?” While I completely understand this question, it isn’t the clearest level of success for a grant writer . Sure, there is validation of having grants awarded. I definitely recommend boasting about your secured grants so potential nonprofit clients can see what types of grants and clients you have worked with. But stating an...

May 31, 201923 minEp. 73

072: 4 Reasons Why You Should Get Paid As A Grant Writer and 3 Ways A Nonprofit Can Pay You

"How can I get paid as a grant writer?" A question that's on everyone's mind, but how do you approach it? A nonprofit might not have the budget to pay your for your work, or maybe you think you can be paid in a commission. In this podcast, Holly discusses the best ways a nonprofit can pay you as a grant writer. To share your thoughts: Send Holly an email at holly@grantwritingandfunding.com To help out the show: Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help, and I read al...

May 23, 201918 minEp. 72

One-on-One Coaching Call with Founding Member Meg Tyquiengco of ENERGETIC PRESENCE

In this episode, Holly Rustick takes you behind the scenes of a live coaching call with founding member Meg Tyquiengco of Energetic Presence, offering a real look into the kind of support available inside the Grant Writing & Funding Membership. During this 30-minute one-on-one session, Meg brings forward key challenges many nonprofits face, including how to transition from a working board of directors to a governing board, how to grow an organization with only a part-time executive director,...

May 16, 201951 minEp. 71

Why Blueprints Organize Your Nonprofit Strategies With Sarah Olivieri

Sarah Olivieri, founder of PivotGround and creator of The Impact Method, joins us to share how nonprofits can build stronger, more effective organizations through strategic frameworks and intentional planning. We dive into The Impact Method, how to develop a clear blueprint for your organization, and the key elements of a successful blueprint checklist. Sarah also breaks down practical approaches to time management and introduces the Accountability Optimizer to help teams stay focused, aligned, ...

May 08, 201936 minEp. 70

14 Secrets To NOT Leave Out Of Your Bylaws

What would happen if you handed a newly elected board member your nonprofit bylaws — and they instantly understood their role, responsibilities, and expectations? In this episode, Holly breaks down the essential components every nonprofit should include in its bylaws to create clarity, accountability, and strong governance. Your bylaws are more than just a legal requirement — they are the operating manual for your board of directors. You’ll learn the top 14 bylaw elements Holly recommends, inclu...

May 03, 201923 minEp. 69

15 Simple Steps to Create Successful Articles of Incorporation

Developing your Articles of Incorporation is a critical next step in officially establishing your nonprofit organization. Once you’ve decided to move forward with forming a nonprofit, filing your Articles of Incorporation with your state is required—and while each state has its own process, the purpose remains the same. In this episode, we walk through what Articles of Incorporation are, why they matter, and how to create them. Some states provide simple templates you can fill out, while others ...

Apr 26, 201935 minEp. 68

Values, Mission And Vision

Have you identified your values, and developed a concise and well communicated mission and visions statement for your nonprofit or freelance grant writing company? Your mission statement is what you do today, and your vision statement is what you will be doing tomorrow. These elements are crucial, as they guide your organization to success. 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 B...

Apr 19, 201927 minEp. 67

How To Select The Best Board Of Directors

Don’t make a desperate plea just to fill seats on your board of directors. The people you bring onto your board should be intentional, aligned, and truly invested in your mission. Your board members don’t just show up to meetings—they represent your organization everywhere they go. In this episode, Holly talks about the importance of being strategic when building your board. She shares why rushing to fill positions can hurt your nonprofit in the long run, how the right board members can elevate ...

Apr 11, 201923 minEp. 66

Which Type of Nonprofit Should You Start

If you’re starting a nonprofit—or thinking about it—there’s one critical step you can’t afford to skip: obtaining your 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. In this episode, we break down why this designation is so important and how it directly impacts your ability to secure funding. Most foundations and federal grant programs require nonprofits to have 501(c)(3) status before they will even consider awarding funds. Without it, your opportunities for grant funding are extremely limited. But it’s not just...

Apr 04, 201925 minEp. 65

Ep. 64: 6 Steps Before You Start a Nonprofit

So you have an idea for a new nonprofit, now what? In order to get your organization together it's a good idea to first conduct some market research. Find out where your new nonprofit will stand among the other organizations in your area. This will help strengthen your stakeholder relationships and discover if your nonprofit will be filling a gap in your community. ✨✨ Visit www.grantwritingandfunding.com to get the proven G.R.A.N.T.S. formula to write winning grants ✨✨ Favor, please? If you love...

Mar 22, 201915 minEp. 64

All About 501(c)3 Nonprofits with Lawyer Vanessa L. Williams

Thinking about starting a 501(c)(3) nonprofit—but not sure where to begin? In this episode, Holly Rustick interviews business lawyer Vanessa L. Williams to break down the legal essentials of forming a tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Vanessa shares common mistakes and challenges she sees nonprofits face early on, along with practical guidance on the key documents and steps required to properly establish your organization. We dive into what you need to have in place before applying for 501(c)(3...

Mar 06, 201944 minEp. 63

How Will a MOU Strengthen Your Grant Application?

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) can strengthen your grant application in the eyes of a funding source. It demonstrates a strong, committed partnership to ensure the project can and will happen as it is laid out in the proposal. This commitment gives security to all the partners involved as well. Plus, MOUs are frequently REQUIRED when submitting grant applications and can be scored! Have a template to create the highest scoring MOUs by listening to this podcast! ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICK Grant Wri...

Mar 02, 201919 minEp. 62

Get Ready & Prepare Strong Letters of Commitment

In this solo episode, Holly Rustick shares practical tips on how to develop a strong letter of commitment that strengthens your grant proposals and builds funder confidence. She explains how a well-crafted letter can demonstrate meaningful collaboration, highlight partner alignment, and showcase the depth of support behind your project. Holly also walks through what funders are really looking for and how to position your commitments in a way that elevates the overall quality and competitiveness ...

Feb 08, 201920 minEp. 61

How to Get Letters Of Support on Time

The dreaded Letter of Support. This is the one that you forgot to get and then go to upload the grant application you’ve been working on for weeks and realize you forgot to get your partners to endorse your project. Ugh. Yeah, this is one of the first things that I have my clients to gather as getting letters of support from partners can take TIME. If they are out of town or just busy (as most are), Letters of Support can take weeks to get signed and approved, and returned to your nonprofit. Now...

Jan 23, 201914 minEp. 60

Ep. 59: How to Boost an Invitation to Apply for a Grant - The Letter of Intent

Yes, it’s true, you need to ask some funding sources on a date before you actually go on a date. That’s what a Letter of Intent is all about. In order to get a date - you need to ASK for a date! Find out the tips on how to write a Letter of Intent! Also, check out the YouTube video and all the awesome sauce on our website for funding and grant writing! 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 ...

Jan 16, 201919 minEp. 59

Ep. 58: How to Knock your Letter of Inquiry out of the Park in 10 Steps!

Hi Changemakers, A Letter of Inquiry is a gateway to funding. This Letter of Inquiry, not to be confused with Letter of Intent, can be the difference between a foundation accepting a full application from your nonprofit or shutting you down. These are 10 steps to Write a Successful Letter of Inquiry that will secure your Invitation to Apply for a Grant #1 Alignment You will normally find requests for Letters of Inquiry from private foundations. Basically, they want to get a snapshot of what your...

Jan 10, 201927 minEp. 58

Ep. 57: Your Best Year - How To Increase Funding, Eliminate Burnout, And Avoid Competition

Hi Changemakers, In early December I finished facilitating a 10-week Strategic Planning Group. Those nonprofits are definitely set up and ahead of the curve in 2019! In any case, even if you haven’t sat down and did your planning yet, or even if you have, you are going to want to listen to this episode. This is a snapshot of one of the modules from the Strategic Planning Course. It is one that the nonprofits in the group got really excited about and will give you excellent tips on: How to get ah...

Jan 03, 201917 minEp. 57

Ep. 56: How to Find Your S.U.R.E. Word for the Year

This word should guide you and keep you focused so you don’t get busy chasing the shiny pennies, trapped in projects that don’t meet your mission, or say yes (or no!) to partners that aren’t aligned with your vision. 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 holly@grantwritingandfunding.com I’d love...

Dec 27, 201823 minEp. 56

Ep. 55: Simple 10 Step Checklist to Write Winning Grants

Check out the simple 10-Step Check to Write Winning Grants. Be sure to check all the guidelines, determine eligibility, prepare, take the steps to create a strong proposal. Then be sure to review and submit. Happy grant writing! 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 holly@grantwritingandfunding....

Dec 20, 201827 minEp. 55
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