Starting a nonprofit isn’t the only way to make an impact. There are so many ways to support a cause you care about—whether that’s volunteering, donating, or even organizing something as simple as a local cleanup. But what happens when your passion pushes you to go deeper? In this episode, we explore how you can turn that passion into a movement—without necessarily creating a nonprofit organization. Joining me is Rebecca Soriano, who shares how her passion for mental health led her to create a p...
Aug 17, 2021•38 min•Ep. 184
You weren’t an English major or Public Administration major? No worries. You don’t have to have been a writer all your life to transition into grant writing and to become a grant professional. In this podcast, Sheleia Phillips tells all on how she has gone from biologist to grant professional… all from the suggestion during an internship. This literally turned her life around as she realized she could apply her background in research papers and evidence-based practices to writing a grant. She th...
Aug 10, 2021•55 min•Ep. 183
In this week’s episode, special guest Sarah Olivieri joins us to break down her powerful Impact Method—and how it can be used by both nonprofits and freelance grant writers to create more effective, sustainable organizations. If you’ve been looking for a clear blueprint to better manage your time, increase your capacity, and grow your impact, this episode delivers exactly that. Sarah walks us through what the Impact Method is and how it helps organizations move from overwhelm to clarity by focus...
Aug 03, 2021•37 min•Ep. 182
It’s officially knee deep into summer. Are you enjoying the popsicles, sparklers, and giggles with the family or are you stuck in the grind? In this article (or feel free to listen to the podcast), I go behind-the-scenes to explain why and how you should take time off your grant writing business or nonprofit. Maybe July is a super busy month because you have grants due, a nonprofit fundraiser, or more. Yet. A summer sabbatical, two-week break, or maybe even a year abroad sojourn could be exactly...
Jul 28, 2021•23 min•Ep. 181
Wait… should you stop asking your board to fundraise? It might sound a little counterintuitive—but in this episode, Sarah Olivieri breaks down a fresh perspective that might completely shift how you think about fundraising. We explore why relying on your board for fundraising may not always be the most effective strategy, and how creating a dedicated fundraising structure—like a committee—can allow your board to focus on governance and leadership instead. At the same time, we dive into why donor...
Jul 20, 2021•45 min•Ep. 180
For a nonprofit organization to truly thrive, it needs a healthy mix of funding—from grants and fundraisers to donors, services, and beyond. Relying on just one source, especially grants alone, can put your organization at risk. So, what does a balanced funding strategy actually look like? If your nonprofit is struggling financially, or if you find yourself relying only on grants or only on fundraising, this episode is a must-listen. Joining me again on the Grant Writing & Funding podcast is...
Jul 13, 2021•38 min•Ep. 179
Dr. Beverly Browning joins us to discuss how nonprofit leaders can create effective strategic plans that drive growth while avoiding burnout. She breaks down why having a clear strategic plan is essential—from guiding your organization’s direction and helping boards track meaningful milestones, to setting realistic funding goals and meeting grant requirements. We also explore how strategic planning can prevent the constant cycle of scrambling from fundraiser to fundraiser, and who this work is e...
Jul 06, 2021•31 min•Ep. 178
What if raising unrestricted funding for your nonprofit didn’t require complicated strategies, ad spend, or hours of setup? In this episode, Sean Kosofsky shares a refreshingly simple approach to fundraising that is low-effort, quick to implement, and incredibly effective. We dive into how peer-to-peer fundraising—especially through platforms like Facebook—can become a powerful, low-hanging fruit strategy for your organization. Sean explains how you can mobilize your existing network to raise fu...
Jun 29, 2021•42 min•Ep. 177
Are you ready to check-in on your 2021 nonprofit goals? 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 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 nonprofi...
Jun 22, 2021•44 min•Ep. 176
Want to know what grant funding opportunities are ahead for 2021? If you’re a nonprofit, government agency, or even a business seeking grants, this episode gives you a comprehensive look at what to expect—and how to prepare. In this episode, we break down the full grant funding forecast by looking at trends from 2019 and 2020 and how those shifts are shaping 2021. We dive into the “Grant Funding Pulse” across multiple sectors, including federal, state, and foundation funding, so you can better u...
Jun 15, 2021•15 min•Ep. 175
Yes, meaningful conversations are a must if you want effective solutions for your nonprofit strategies. I know. It’s easier for many nonprofit leaders to just ask, “Can you just make me a fundraising content calendar within the hour?” But what if that fundraiser isn’t really what your nonprofit needs to grow? I know it can feel taxing to try and fit in a conversation about why you even want the fundraiser in the first place (because we always have one) or what the real outcome you want that fund...
Jun 08, 2021•54 min•Ep. 174
If you find yourself Googling when looking for grant funding or not even knowing where to start, then this podcast episode is for you! I’ve got Gauri Manglik, CEO and co-founder of Instrumentl on the show, and we go behind-the-scenes on how to use this platform. What is Instrumentl ? It’s a fundraising platform tool to help you find, well, funds. Looking for grants? This is your hub. About Gauri Manglik Gauri Manglik is the CEO and co-founder of Instrumentl, the institutional fundraising platfor...
Jun 01, 2021•43 min•Ep. 173
Have you ever wondered how to write the evaluation section of a grant proposal? Maybe you sat there at 2 a.m. (of course the night before a grant is due) and scratched your head as you came across this section towards the end of a grant. You think, "You want me to write how I am going to run a program and now you need to know how I will evaluate that the project is running how I said it will run?" Er, yep. Funding sources do want to know how you will evaluate what you say you are going to do. Ar...
May 26, 2021•48 min•Ep. 172
1. Get the FOA/RFP First you need to download the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) or Request for Proposal (RFP). These are usually for federal grants, state grants and contracts, and certain foundation grants. This is basically where the funding sources publish directions and guidance about the grant program. The grant funding sources also put in technical requirements (such as font size, margin sizes, number of pages allowed, and so forth). 2. Convert the FOA/RFP from a PDF to Word Doc P...
May 18, 2021•24 min•Ep. 171
Are you stuck in not knowing which type of grant writing resources to help you find, manage, and (eventually) win grants? Well, today is your lucky day! I’m giving the full review of 8 grant writing resources! As a 15+ year grant writing veteran I have seen some amazing resources come and go, and I’ve seen other ones evolve. I am highlighting 8 resources that I LOVE and some of these I use on a consistent basis! In fact, I am using one right now (after you read through my recommendations, have a...
May 11, 2021•28 min•Ep. 170
What is the difference between an output and outcome in a grant proposal? The difference between an output and outcome in a grant proposal might not seem quite different at first. In fact, it might feel downright like the same darn thing. For many grant writers this difference between an output and outcome can feel a little abstract and confusing. You might be thinking, "What are the differences and why do grants have to be so meticulous?" Are grant funding sources just trying to trick you with ...
May 05, 2021•18 min•Ep. 169
Find out where you can get SO many free nonprofit fundraising courses! 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 to connect with you! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzIfwJt0az9KKwKz1Uc8vg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyrustick LinkedIn...
Apr 27, 2021•46 min•Ep. 168
Learning how to write objectives for grant application proposals is essential to your grant writing success. This is often overlooked. Many people think an objective can just be a wish. Such as, “We hope to accomplish this program.” Let’s just start with Captain Obvious. Would you be willing to give someone money for a project if they only hoped to accomplish it? Or would you be willing to shell out dough for a project that had a goal of ‘Ending Poverty for All” but there was no plan on how to a...
Apr 20, 2021•23 min•Ep. 167
Are you struggling to get donations through your nonprofit’s website—even after setting everything up? You’ve added the donate button, connected your payment system, and made your site live… but still, nothing. It’s frustrating—and it might even make you wonder if people care about your mission. But here’s the truth: they probably do. In this episode, Brady Josephson from NextAfter Institute breaks down what’s really going on—and why the issue often isn’t your mission, but the experience. We div...
Apr 15, 2021•52 min•Ep. 166
Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night realizing you missed a grant deadline? Or maybe you submitted a grant months ago… and now you can’t find the final application anywhere? If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and this episode is for you. In this episode, Rachel Waterman, CEO and Founder of GDS Grants, shares how to simplify grant management so you can stay organized, professional, and on top of every opportunity. We dive into her journey into grant writing (including her time...
Apr 07, 2021•52 min•Ep. 165
Are you not sure even what a SWOT Analysis is or how it relates to strategic planning? Well, I am definitely not saying get rid of the SWOT analysis altogether, but I am saying the old tired way of just shoving it in your planning and not knowing how to utilize is so over. How? Well, you do need a SWOT Analysis for your nonprofit’s strategic planning, however, it doesn’t have to be boring. It is actually one of the most FUN activities in your strategic planning. A SWOT Analysis A SWOT stands for...
Mar 31, 2021•20 min•Ep. 164
In this episode, Holly Rustick sits down with federal grant research expert Jason Adkins to answer one of the most common questions: how do you actually find federal grants for your nonprofit? Jason breaks down five clear, actionable steps to uncover federal funding opportunities and shares the exact websites and strategies you need to get started. What may seem overwhelming at first quickly becomes manageable as he demystifies the process and shows how to approach federal grant research with co...
Mar 23, 2021•51 min•Ep. 163
A common question I get, as a grant professional, from nonprofit clients, is, “Can you guarantee that the grant you write for us will get awarded?” There are a number of reasons that I say no. Very simply put, here are a few of the determining factors: It depends also on the nonprofit’s capacity and experience in winning and managing grants that depend on their competitiveness with getting a grant awarded. It depends on how well the grant project aligns with the priority of the funding source. I...
Mar 16, 2021•15 min•Ep. 162
Did you know that you can do grant research as a stand-alone service or package it into your nonprofit client offers? You might already be writing grants—but are you charging separately for researching and finding those grant opportunities? If not… this episode might just change your business model. Here’s the reality: many nonprofit clients will come to you with a list of grants and ask you to write them. But more often than not, they also expect you to find those opportunities in the first pla...
Mar 10, 2021•20 min•Ep. 161
✨ Join my Free 5-day FB Challenge: Confidently Pitch Your Grant Writing Services to Nonprofit Clients" Click here: http://grantwritingandfunding.com/5-day ✨ Grant Writing Certificate. To have or not to have? And then... from where? This is a question I get all the time. I get this question from freelance grant writers and aspiring freelancers, but I also get it from potential nonprofit clients. Do you have a grant writing certificate? This question, and 7 more common questions asked by nonprofit...
Mar 03, 2021•21 min•Ep. 160
There’s a lot of misinformation out there about grant writing—and believing these myths can hold you back from success. In this episode, we break down seven of the most common grant writing myths and what you actually need to know. First, let’s talk about the idea that grants are easy to get. While grants are absolutely possible to win, they are competitive and require skill, strategy, and practice to write effectively. We also unpack the misconception that grants never have to be paid back. Whi...
Feb 24, 2021•26 min•Ep. 159
✨ Click here to download the Infographic Top 10 Responsibilities of a Nonprofit Executive Director: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/158-3-tactics-you-didnt-know-to-become-a-nonprofit-executive-director-ninja/ ✨ What if you had a checklist to help streamline your duties as an executive director of a nonprofit organization? Sometimes an executive director of a nonprofit organization is stereotyped as juggling a million things and getting paid peanuts. But this doesn't, nor shouldn't, need to ...
Feb 16, 2021•46 min•Ep. 158
Ready to start growing your freelance grant writing business—but not sure where to begin? You’re not alone. Starting a freelance grant writing business or nonprofit consultancy can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to finding and securing your first clients. It can feel like you’re staring out at a massive ocean of possibilities with no clear direction. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode, we walk through a clear, actionable roadmap to help you confidently connect with ...
Feb 11, 2021•39 min•Ep. 157
Being a freelance grant writer doesn’t have to feel like a frustrating career filled with stress and uncertainty—it can be the exact opposite. In this episode, Holly Rustick sits down with freelance grant writing expert and coach Rodney Walker to talk about how to build your business with a strong foundation and grow in a methodical, sustainable way. Rodney shares his journey from struggle to success and offers an honest, behind-the-scenes look at the mistakes many new grant writers make—and how...
Feb 03, 2021•48 min•Ep. 156
In this podcast, I am going to bring up when your freelance company or nonprofit should stand up for movements or injustice. Here’s the deal. Sometimes I see nonprofits and freelance companies not sure if they should publicly support something. Most of the time it’s not because you don’t support something, but rather you might not be sure if your brand should make a stand. In this episode, I am going to give you indicators on how you can quickly decide if you want your nonprofit to stand on an i...
Jan 26, 2021•31 min•Ep. 155
