In this episode, we delve into the impressive success story of Bridget Lomax, founder and principal of WordSource. Bridget joins us to discuss how she secured an astounding $89,000 in her grant writing business within just eight months, using a strategic approach focused on retainer-based pricing. Bridget will share her journey from feeling uncertain about raising her rates to confidently pricing her services, all with the support of our specialized academy. She'll also reveal how the consistenc...
Sep 24, 2024•51 min•Ep. 364
Rachel Waterman is the CEO and Founder of GDS Grants and has over 25 years of experience in community development and grant writing. In this episode, Rachel Waterman discusses the different grant management services available in GEMS, how to use GEMS as an onboarding tool, and the AI technology that’s available for grant writing processes. She also explains how to streamline your grant writing process, track multiple grant applications, and find potential funders. About Rachel Waterman Rachel Wa...
Sep 17, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 363
Grace Scamurra is a grants professional, writer, and educator with over 15 years of experience supporting youth in education and wellness programs. In this episode, Grace Scamurra explains how to become a freelance grant writer, get paid for writing grants, and how the academy helps grant writers. She also talks about the importance of pricing grant writing services correctly, what’s included in a master grant application template, and how freelance grant writers can get support. About Grace Sca...
Sep 10, 2024•42 min•Ep. 362
This episode, Sabrina Walker-Hernandez explains what you should include in your sales calls with nonprofits, the tone you should use when talking to a board of directors, and why some nonprofits need a dedicated grant writer. Sabrina Walker-Hernandez is the CEO of Supporting World Hope and has over 25 years of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, and leadership. In this episode, Sabrina Walker-Hernandez explains what a grant strategist does, the expectations nonprofits should have wi...
Sep 03, 2024•36 min•Ep. 361
This episode, Christina Edwards explains the process of pricing grant writing services, how to effectively network, and different marketing strategies grant writers can use. Christina Edwards is a marketing expert and coach who helps ambitious social impact businesses and nonprofits increase revenue, supporters, and engagement. In this episode, Christina Edwards explains how online grant writing services can be scaled, how freelance grant writers can charge more for their services, and why some ...
Aug 27, 2024•50 min•Ep. 360
Are you trying to grow your grant writing business—but feel like you’re spinning your wheels? In this episode, Patrick Kirby, Founder of Do Good Better Consulting, shares what grant writers really need to focus on to build a sustainable and profitable business. With nearly 15 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, Patrick breaks down why finding a niche is critical—and how it can actually make marketing your services easier and more effective. We also dive into where grant writers tend to...
Aug 20, 2024•49 min•Ep. 352
This episode, Sheleia Phillips explains how to grow a grant writing business, different ways to make your grant writing business more enjoyable, and the benefits of having an anchor client. Sheleia Phillips is the Founder and Principal Consultant at SMP Nonprofit Consulting and has dedicated herself to the growth and development of nonprofits for nearly ten years. In this episode, Sheleia Phillips explains her journey moving from working as a freelance grant writer to becoming the CEO of her own...
Aug 13, 2024•46 min•Ep. 358
Ready to grow your grant writing business and better serve nonprofits—especially those under new leadership? In this episode, DeaRonda Harrison, founder and President of June First Firm, shares how she helps nonprofits transform their organizations through strategic grant writing and development support. We dive into how to understand and pursue federal contract grants, what it takes to become a professional grant writer, and how to consistently attract and increase your client base. DeaRonda al...
Aug 06, 2024•45 min•Ep. 350
***Doors to the Grant Professional Mentorship are open until August 2nd, 2024 Join Now or Book a Sales Call: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-professional-mentorship The Grant Professional Mentorship is a 12-Month Group Coaching Mastermind where Grant Professionals Double Your Revenue with a Part-Time Team, Systems, and a Scaling Offer - Without Burning Out. Holly Rustick is a world-renowned grant writing expert and Amazon bestselling author who has been coaching grant writers on how to ...
Jul 30, 2024•23 min•Ep. 356
***Doors to the Grant Professional Mentorship are open until August 2nd, 2024. Book now: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-professional-mentorship Holly Rustick is a world-renowned grant writing expert and Amazon bestselling author who has been coaching grant writers on how to run successful 5-6 figure businesses since 2017. In this episode, Holly shares the 3 strategies to overcome burnout and to hire a part-time team for your grant writing business, without slashing your owner's pay. Bo...
Jul 28, 2024•2 hr 15 min•Ep. 355
In this episode, Holly Rustick takes you inside the Grant Professional Mentorship and breaks down how grant writers can increase their income without increasing their workload. She shares what’s included in the mentorship curriculum and how it’s designed to help grant writers build sustainable, scalable businesses. Holly also dives into common challenges grant writing businesses face, from inconsistent income to lack of structure, and explains the essential frameworks needed to create stability ...
Jul 28, 2024•55 min•Ep. 349
Are you operating as a freelance grant writer—or truly stepping into the role of a business owner? There’s a big difference. In this episode, Holly breaks down the shift from freelancer to business owner, and why this identity change is essential if you want to grow and scale your grant writing business. We explore what it really means to adopt a business owner mindset, including how you make decisions, structure your services, and plan for long-term growth. Holly also shares how many grant writ...
Jul 28, 2024•32 min•Ep. 348
What does it actually take to build a successful grant writing business? In this episode, Holly breaks down the four major areas every grant writing business needs to focus on to grow sustainably and profitably. We dive into how your business is structured, the different types of support you can bring in, and how to think strategically about scaling. Holly explains the various types of grant writing assistants you can hire—and how each role can support your workflow and free up your time. You’ll...
Jul 28, 2024•19 min•Ep. 347
Welcome to a special episode of Grant Writing & Funding! In this behind-the-scenes episode, Host Holly Rustick shares her journey from grant writing to coaching eager entrepreneurs on how to start their own grant writing businesses. She delves into her decision to rebrand and focus exclusively on teaching others to become successful business owners, uplifting women, and increasing their income. Holly discusses the impact her business has had on her life and the satisfaction she finds in coac...
Jul 28, 2024•40 min•Ep. 351
This episode, Niki Wanner explains what services grant writers should provide to their clients, the boundaries you need as a grant writing consultant, and how to turn a grant writing job into a grant writing business. Niki Wanner is an experienced Grants Consultant, Fundraising Professional, and Grant Writer who has won funding from 12 federal agencies and dozens of leading national and regional foundations. In this episode, Niki explains the benefits of having generalist services with a niche a...
Jul 28, 2024•38 min•Ep. 350
In this episode, Holly breaks down what it really takes to create and deliver a successful grant training program. She shares insights on how much time goes into developing training, how to price your program for profitability, and effective ways to market your training to the right audience. Holly also explores the differences between hosting grant trainings in person versus online, how to turn training participants into long-term clients, and strategies to move beyond a time-for-money model in...
Jul 28, 2024•27 min•Ep. 345
Brian Meagher joins us to share his insights from over a decade of experience in fundraising, during which he has helped raise millions of dollars for small nonprofits. He breaks down what clients really expect from grant writers, how to find and retain clients for your grant writing business, and how to build strong, lasting relationships in the sector. We also explore strategies for writing successful grants, how to grow and hire for a grant writing business, and the evolving role of AI in sup...
Jul 02, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 344
Kim Collier has secured over $35 million in government and foundation funding for nonprofits over the past 20 years—and in this episode, she brings both experience and real talk to the conversation. We dive into what it actually looks like to build a sustainable and profitable grant writing career, starting with a topic many grant writers know all too well: being underpaid. Kim shares the real impact of undercharging (and undervaluing your work), and how shifting your mindset—and your pricing—ca...
Jun 25, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 343
This episode, Rachel Waterman explains the results of the grant writer’s pricing survey report, how the report has changed from last year, and the biggest trends currently affecting grant writers. Rachel is the CEO and Founder of GDS Grants and has over 25 years of community development and grant writing experience. In this episode, Rachel explains how grant writers price their services, the different pricing structures that grant writers use, and where grant writers are losing money. She also t...
Jun 18, 2024•1 hr 47 min•Ep. 346
Rhea Wong joins us to share how nonprofit leaders can build strong individual major gift programs to increase fundraising success. She breaks down why donor retention rates are often so low, the core principles behind creating a meaningful donor experience, and how consultants can strategically choose the right projects. We also explore practical strategies for staying calm and focused, what it takes to build a successful group coaching program, and how a nonprofit consultant’s career can evolve...
Jun 11, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 341
Marie Palacios is the Lead Consultant for Funding for Good, an expert facilitator, and is certified by The Institute of Cultural Affairs in the USA in evidence-based facilitation practices. In this episode, Marie explains what to include in a grant proposal’s strategic planning document, who should be involved with the strategic planning process, and how to fund the strategic planning process. She also talks about the preparation you need before writing a grant proposal, how to provide more serv...
Jun 04, 2024•36 min•Ep. 344
Stephanie Skryzowski joins us to break down how nonprofits can better understand, manage, and communicate their financials to drive stronger funding outcomes. As a nonprofit CFO, she shares what data organizations should be tracking, how to effectively manage and interpret budgets, and how to navigate the complexities of grant budgets. We also explore how grant writers can choose the right clients, determine which services to offer, and apply key financial insights to strengthen proposals and ov...
May 28, 2024•37 min•Ep. 339
Gina Knox is a financial and wealth coach for entrepreneurs with variable income who teaches them how to build their business savings. In this episode, Gina explains the issues with a budgeting based approach, the different banking strategies that can increase your capital, and how much you should pay yourself from your grant writing business. She also talks about how to approach debt in your business, what you need to cover in a sales call with a potential client, and the mindset shift when mov...
May 21, 2024•49 min•Ep. 342
This episode, Philip Deng explains how to use AI to streamline the grant writing process, what to do if you get a bad output from an AI model, and how to improve the responses you get from AI models. Philip Deng is the Co-founder and CEO of Grantable, a world-class grant writing assistant powered by AI. In this episode, Philip explains the difference between using ChatGPT and Grantable, how to keep an authentic tone while writing grants with AI software, and how much you can trust the output of ...
May 14, 2024•59 min•Ep. 341
Have you ever thought about transitioning from working inside a nonprofit to becoming a freelance grant writer? Or wondered what it really looks like to build a flexible, work-from-home business—especially as a parent? In this episode, Holly Rustick dives into the realities of freelance grant writing and the opportunities it creates for both freedom and financial growth. We explore the differences often seen between male and female grant writers in the industry, and how freelance work can offer ...
May 12, 2024•28 min•Ep. 336
Payton Murphy is a grants professional with experience in grant writing, research, management, and budget development. Payton explains how to articulate the value of your grant writing services, the benefits of looking at your job as if they are a client, and the sales strategies grant writers can use with nonprofits. She also talks about the business fundamentals behind grant writing, how to set up systems and processes to save you time when writing grants, and the difference between doing sale...
May 11, 2024•37 min•Ep. 339
This episode, Grace Pankin explains her experience in the grant writing academy, how she created a part-time income while raising young children, and the challenges involved with starting a new grant writing business. Grace Pankin has been writing grants for Southern Nevada nonprofits for over 5 years, and within the last three of those years, she’s helped to raise over 5 million dollars. Grace explains how she was able to book out her grant writing business in two months by using the Unique Ind...
May 09, 2024•31 min•Ep. 338
In this episode, Holly breaks down the essential skills grant writers need to transition into successful business owners. She shares how to strategically design your service offerings, why nonprofits invest in having their team members join The Freelance Grant Writer Academy, and what business acumen skills are critical for long-term success. Holly also dives into the value of using a master grant writing template to streamline your work and improve consistency, as well as how grant reviews can ...
May 09, 2024•23 min•Ep. 333
Kari is a Philadelphia-based grant writer specializing in small and start-up nonprofits, who has worked in the non-profit field for over a decade. Kari explains the business side of being a grant writing consultant, how to be properly valued as a grant writer, and how to effectively price your grant writing services. They also talk about the different deliverables grant writers should offer, the business and sales lessons they learned in the academy, and the value of being a part of a community ...
May 08, 2024•31 min•Ep. 336
In this solo episode, Holly Rustick breaks down the importance of clearly defining your grant writing services and pricing so you can confidently position yourself in the market. She shares how to follow an ethical sales system, set the right expectations when working with nonprofits, and effectively present a business plan that aligns with their funding goals. Holly also explains why freelance grant writers are often more desirable than in-house staff and the key skills you need to step into th...
May 07, 2024•35 min•Ep. 331
